Who doesn’t love the smell of hot waffles cooking and Berry Syrup bubbling away! Imagine your guests waking up to smell the amazing aromas coming from your kitchen!

Our family loves making Whole Grain Belgian Waffles and Berry Syrup. Absolutely delicious, full of flavor and good for you, these waffles make the perfect gift at Christmastime. Many people welcome family to their homes during the Christmas season. I love to place the dry ingredients in a pretty glass container with the directions. Each ingredient is placed in the jar separately. Because these are made with whole grains, it looks very attractive in the jar.

Your friends will simply add the wet ingredients needed (which are things regularly found in one’s refrigerator and pantry). My Berry Syrup is placed in a glass mason jar, a ribbon is attached and this is given with the waffle mix. The color of the Berry Syrup is just lovely, it is super simple to make and tastes even better! This is one special breakfast they don’t have to worry about while entertaining guests! many of my friends tell me how helpful this gift was to them as they entertained their guests and how much their family and friends loved the recipe.

If you need a gift idea for someone who doesn’t own a waffle maker, Cuisinart has a great one! A new waffle maker would make a wonderful gift with the mix and Berry Syrup!

Directions:

Layer each dry ingredient in a glass jar or container. Attach a card to the jar which includes the wet ingredients. Wrap in a pretty ribbon, perhaps with a little spatula and give with my Berry Syrup!

1 c. whole-wheat pastry flour
½ c. flax seed meal
¼ c. wheat germ
¼ c. all-purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. sugar or honey
½ tsp. salt

Write wet ingredients on a card stating “simply add these”

2 eggs, beaten
1 ¾ c. skim or reduced-fat milk
¼ c. canola oil
¼ c. unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

¾ lbs. berries, fresh or frozen
¼ c. raw honey or agave nectar
Zest and juice of one orange
½ tsp. ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Stir well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside to thicken.

TIP: You can create different versions of this syrup, by using a mixture of different berries. I love a mixture of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries!