Black Forest Waffles

With their dark chocolate flavor and cherry and cream topping, these sensational waffles add a fancy touch to brunch with very little effort.

—Edith Johnson, Fruita, CO

TAKES: 30 MIN. • MAKES: 5 WAFFLES (ABOUT 6 ¾ IN.)

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
• 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 3 Tbsp. shortening
• 1 ¾ cups cake flour
• 6 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
• Chocolate sprinkles or fresh mint, optional

1. 1. In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners’ sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until serving.
2. 2. In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks and milk until blended. Stir in chocolate mixture. Add to dry ingredients; stir just until moistened.
3. 3. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into batter. Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions until set.
4. 4. Serve waffles with whipped cream and pie filling. If desired, top with sprinkles or fresh mint.

1 SERVING: 706 cal., 32g fat (16g sat. fat), 157mg chol., 567mg sod., 96g carb. (52g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g pro.