My Uncle Eddie was my dad's oldest brother. He was a farmer and a great cook, besides an all around loving and kind man. I remember a summer tractor ride up and down rows of melons, with him picking one and cutting it up right there for us to sample. His watermelons were so delicious. We loved jumping on his and Aunt Jean's trampoline, running around their yard with cousins, and sitting and listening to him and the other adults tell stories of their days growing up on a farm. When we would be in the Gila Valley for a visit, we loved going over to his home, especially on Sundays. Uncle Eddie started a yummy tradition of baking chocolate waffles, especially on Sunday evenings. Nothing was better than those waffles, topped with a scoop of ice cream, except for his famous pizza, but that's another story.
These waffles are a perfect summer treat. Warm, without having to use your oven, with a cold scoop of ice cream to cool everything down.
Uncle Eddie's Chocolate Waffles
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup buttermilk
Melt butter or margarine. Add cocoa, sugar and anil. Add buttermilk, flour, cream of tartar. Blend. Add eggs. Mix. Spray waffle iron with cooking spray and fill as directed.
These are extra yummy with a scoop of vanilla (or mint chocolate chip) ice cream on top. Eat warm.
Now, my uncle's recipe really is the best, but I have also discovered an easy alternative if you are short on time or ingredients. I kept seeing this idea on pinterest and I was skeptical, but I decided to give it a try. I was happily surprised.
Just take a boxed cake mix and mix as directed with eggs water and oil. Then, just pour batter into your waffle maker and bake like normal breakfast waffles. Yummy and simple. I will say that they spread and rise more than a typical waffle, so don't fill your iron too full or you'll end up with a chocolatey mess. Take my word for it :)
My boys had fun helping to make these, and you can freeze either version of these chocolate waffles to reheat and enjoy later. Happy eating!
