Creme Brulee Waffles

Directions

1. 1
   For the cream cheese filling:
2. 2
   Using a stand or hand mixer, or a whisk, blend all ingredients until smooth.
3. 3
   Place the filling in a piping bag or scrape it into a small bowl. Set the filling aside.
4. 4
   For the batter:
5. 5
   Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.
6. 6
   In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and egg yolks. Add the buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla and set aside.
7. 7
   In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites until medium-stiff peaks form. You can also do this by hand.
8. 8
   Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet until smooth, then fold in the egg whites.
9. 9
   To make the waffles:
10. 10
    Preheat a waffle iron to the medium heat setting.
11. 11
    Generously spray both sides of the iron with non-stick spray.
12. 12
    Sprinkle 3 to 4 tablespoons of raw sugar onto the bottom of the iron, then spoon a scant cup of batter evenly on top of the sugar.
13. 13
    If using a piping bag, pipe a swirl of the cream cheese filling on top of the batter.
14. 14
    If not using a piping bag, drop 4 generous tablespoons of filling randomly over the batter.
15. 15
    Sprinkle a tablespoon of raw sugar on top of the waffle and close the iron. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the top is golden brown and releases from the iron when opened.
16. 16
    Spray the top of the iron with non-stick spray and sprinkle the top of the waffle with another generous tablespoon of raw sugar. Close the lid and cook for 1 minute more or until the sugar has melted and formed a crust.
17. 17
    Remove the waffle from the iron and place on a cooling rack. Wipe down the iron and repeat with the remaining batter.
18. 18
    Serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream.