Cinnamon Roll Waffles

I know it's the beginning of the year and that generally means diet food, low calorie meals and tasteless recipes. However, I just can't bring myself to do that and I have too many recipes I made over the holiday's that I still want to share with you. So, in honor of a healthy new year, you can add some wheat flour to these amazing waffles and feel a little less guilty.

I have, shockingly, made a goal to only make a homemade, carbohydrate filled breakfast recipe once on the weekends  (I had a few too many waffles smothered in butter syrup lately and my waist line is showing it :). So, the next time you want to make something special, and want a new breakfast recipe that will wow your family, these Cinnamon Roll Waffles are amazing! They taste just like a cinnamon roll but SO much easier to make. They have the perfect amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, are soft and spongy, and the raisin filled center is such a delicious addition (yes, you can leave those out if you insist..but they add such an extra burst of flavor I would be sad without them). Cover these warm waffles with a cream cheese cinnamon syrup and you have a combination that is heavenly and a festive way to help make these cold, wintery mornings a little more bearable.

Cinnamon Roll Waffles
3 1/2 c. buttermilk (or milk + lemon juice)
1 1/2 t. salt
1 c. raisins
6 T. melted butter
2 T. vanilla
6 eggs, separated
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 t. nutmeg
1 T. cinnamon
1 T. baking powder
2 t. baking soda
3 1/2-4 c. flour (I like 1/2 wheat flour and 1/2 white)
Separate the eggs and beat the egg whites until stiff peaks. Set aside. Combine the remaining waffle ingredients and mix until combined. Fold in the egg whites and mix just until combined. Place 1/2-3/4 c. batter onto a hot, greased waffle iron and cook until golden brown. While the waffles are cooking, prepare the glaze.

Glaze:
1/2 stick butter
4 oz. cream cheese
1/3 c. whipping cream or evaporated milk (or a little more if your syrup is too thick)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1 t. vanilla
Dash salt
1 t. cinnamon
In a sauce pan, place all of the ingredients and cook on low heat until the butter melts and the glaze begins to soften. Bring the sauce to a low simmer/boil until the sugar is dissolved. Drizzle the glaze over the warm waffles. Serve with whipped cream (optional) and garnish with a few sprinkles of extra cinnamon.