I still have daydreams of my Dance Like Nobody’s Watching jaunt in the laundromat. I haven’t done it yet mostly because I’m scared and also… I’m not Beyonce.
The daydreams are still there. They’ve transferred from my Venice Beach laundromat to the streets of the French Quarter. In my daydreams I’m taking over the streets to The Naked and Famous song Girls Like You. I’ve got all the jump moves and hip gyrating, spins and flips I need to look like… not an idiot. It’s still just a daydream. I know it’s been years and years of a daydream. Your patience is appreciated. Beyonce wasn’t built in a day. (I just likened Beyonce with Rome AND I’VE NEVER BEEN SO RIGHT ABOUT ANYTHING EVER!).
While Rome (and dance videos) are built in daydreams… at least I’m in the kitchen cooking like nobody’s watching.
Except someone is watching…
And he’s really bossy about what happens to all of the bacon in the house.
What happened here is this: I put bacon, lettuce, and tomato in between two cheesy waffles. Nothing but trouble.
I was cooking (and smashing food in my face) like no one was watching. Well. No one my height was watching. No one with thumbs was watching. Just me, and this, and three minutes later a dance party for one.
I am the picture of (really embarrassing) success! Dance daydreams pending.
Let’s make these waffles!
This is just real life. I gather all of my ingredients on my dining room table and try to will myself to remember to buy more baking powder to refill my baking jar. The willing hasn’t worked in weeks. You’d think I’d just write it down on a list. Nope.
We’re adding both baking powder (the very last that I have) and baking soda in these waffles. We want lots of fluff!
If you’re still curious about the difference between baking soda and baking powder, we can totally talk about it.
Flour is mixed with salt, sugar, and black pepper in addition to the leavening ingredients. Commence with the usual fork whisking.
The eggs are cracked into a medium bowl to bring the wet ingredients together.
Buttermilk because… YES, ALWAYS!
Melted butter is always whisked into the eggs and milk.
We get to marry these two.
Sharp cheddar cheese, too!
We want to make these waffles all the way salty and savory.
The batter is cheesed and stirred and then left to rest for about 5 minutes while the waffle iron heats up. The batter will thicken as it rests. Good news!
I don’t mind the rough edges of these cheese waffles. This sort of imperfection is charming.
Now we’re in business!
The waffles are cooked and resting on a wire rack to prevent sogginess. The bacon is baked up crisp. The lettuce is clean, the tomatoes are sliced. I mean… this feels really right.
Let’s just be mayonnaise people… just for this one recipe. It’s perfect for these BLTs. I mixed my mayonnaise with a big spoonful of whole grain mustard and a good dusting of coarsely ground black pepper. Flava!
Schmears are generous. Bacon is stacked!
Crisp lettuce is essential. Walk away from the limp stuff. I used a crisp romaine. Tomatoes are getting real! I sprinkled my tomato slices with a bit of sea salt to bring out the flavor.
Sandwiched.
Honestly speaking… this is the best thing ever! It’s that simple. There are bacon and cheese waffles. Crisp vegetables are important elements. Spiced up mayonnaise plays an important supporting role. It’s breakfast. It’s lunch. It’s brunch. It’s stand at the kitchen table and smash it into your face as quickly as you can.
Yes.
Buttermilk Waffle BLT Sandwich
makes 6 sandwiches
For the Waffles:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch of black pepper
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
For the Sandwich:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
fresh cracked black pepper
12 slices thick bacon
2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
romaine lettuce leaves
sea salt for sprinkling the tomatoes
To cook the bacon, place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and arrange bacon slices in a single layer across the pan. Bake for 13 to 17 minutes, or until desired crispness is reached. Remove from the oven and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain some of the oil. When cool enough to handle, slice the bacon in half.
To make the waffles, in a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, and sugar.
In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, and buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients, all at once to the dry ingredients. Stir until just incorporated. Stir in the cheese. Try not to over-mix the batter. If a few lumps remain in the batter, that’s ok.
Cook according to your waffle machine instructions. Allow cooked waffles to rest on a wire rack to they don’t get soggy.
To assemble the sandwiches, in a small bowl stir together mayonnaise, mustard, and black pepper. Spread the mixture on each waffle. Top each waffle with four half slices of bacon, a few leaves of lettuce, and a few slices of tomato. Top with another waffle. Slice and half and serve!
Marie
I’m in the market for a new waffle maker. What kind do you have and do you like it? I’m excited to have a savory waffle recipe to try!
Deanna
I need a waffle iron now, just for this! Did you get your sheepskin throw on the chair from Ikea also?
Alicia
You Goddess you…brilliant, sophisticated, so hits the spot…
shasam
Hi Joy, is there a reason you don’t whisk the egg whites separately? I’ve seen this step in a couple other recipes and am hoping I can just skip this step!
Bet
We made these in August with some tomatoes we were given and WOW. What an awesome dinner! I was just thinking about them and wishing I still had perfect tomatoes so I could have them again tonight! Maybe I’ll just make cheddar waffles…I’m pretty sure they would be fantastic alone! Thanks!
danielle
This recipe was amazing. Reduced the waffle mix by half and it made 2 sandwiches on my wafflemaker. Really fun dinner for summertime when the farmers’ market tomatoes are gorgeous.
Tonda Saffell Cranor
I just made these for dinner-oh my, oh my, OH MY! They were absolutely fabulous. You must make the mayo too. The only thing I changed was that I happened to have a halved lemon sitting beside me and squeezed some into the mayo mixture.
Christi
These look delish! Why don’t you have a save button so we can save the recipes to our recipe boxes? I know I’ll forget and I want to save it. I don’t do pinterest.c
Sandy
This is heaven. I am imagining this recipe with roasted tomatoes nom nom.
audrey
I tried the cheddar waffles recipe this past weekend. I added a lot more black pepper and more cheese and TOTALLY LOVED IT! Thank you for the recipe! Will definitely be making these again!
Elizabeth
I never would have thought that can be realistic and tasty mix. :))))
Belen
Tried it! Fantastic. Added avocado and a chipotle mayonnaise; will def. try again!
Thanks for inspiring!
Stef
I know this is kind of weird, but that bacon…it looks like my dream bacon. What brand do you use?
karen
Congratulations on your new book! I can’t wait to see it. These waffle BLT’s look amazing – what a great idea! Thanks.
GaiaGoodnessNaturalFoods
Yummy yummy yummy!! This is an incredible recipe! I can not wait to get off my cleanse so I can try this recipe. A friend of mine keeps posting pictures of this amazing, mouth watering waffle turkey club from a shop in DC. I’m in LA and it drives me crazy. So now, I have ammunition. Using this recipe I will create the ultimate waffle sandwich and no longer have to be envious of my DC friends. Would I be able to freeze the cooked waffles? If so, what recommendations do you have for reheating?
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
I need to make these; I just noticed a waffle sandwich place next to my office, and I have been day dreaming about them ever since!
Nicola
There are so many wonderful photos on your blog, but that one of Jules eyeballing your BLT waffles has to be my favourite. I can’tstopwon’tstop looking at it!
jellybonesblog@gmail.com
These ARE like a daydream come true! I think I’m making these this weekend. :)
Trish
DessertForTwo
I like you. That’s all. I mean, I liked you before cheddar buttermilk waffles, but I’m just sayin’ now I REALLY like you.
xo
lesley kim
yummm!! that looks soooo good =) i also want your white marble slab!! where did you get that?
http://www.lesley-kim.com
June
These waffle blt’s look like the dinner version of Dance Like Nobody’s Watching. I have a feeling eating one of these would make me start dancing just like the video.
(Note to self: must purchase waffle iron stat.)
Alix
Hi Joy!
Would you mind sharing what type of waffle maker you have. I have been on the hunt for the perfect one and your waffles look amazing. Thank you!
joythebaker
I have one of those big clunky Cuisinart ones! The kind that makes four square waffles. Just just don’t pour the batter all the way to the edges.
Nicole
I know this is a food blog, but there should always be a picture of Tron. Cat food blog? New niche, perhaps.
Maebells
This is so fabulous. I need this in my life asap!
Taylor
Making these ASAP! Yummmy!!
xoxo
Taylor
Lys
You’re right, Beyonce wasn’t build in a day and her “Start Over” is probably the best song no one’s ever heard of. #youmustlistenifyouhavent
Courtney
Am so impressed with this dish and the photography. Can’t wait to try it!http://nikitaandvesper.com/
alyssa
I’m pretty sure waffle maker companies everywhere should be thanking you for this post. I finally caved and bought a waffle maker within 6 minutes after seeing these delightful sammies!!!
Shari Barnes
I made this yesterday so so good, smelled like mac n cheese!
Briel K.
What if a person doesn’t have a waffle iron? Would using the waffle batter and cooking it like it was a pancake work or no?
Ashley
Amazing! do you think making the waffles in advance (about an hour or 2) then throwing them in the oven to heat up later would be ok? I would like to transport them to my boyfriends face… without trucking my waffle iron to his place.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Your kitty is the cutest! Also, this sandwich is freaking gold!
Xochi Navarro
Flava! Oh Joy, I love you so much. :)
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs
These sound absolutely delicious!
MT
Could you tell us where you got that beautiful white batter bowl..love it! Thanks
Rebecca K
So simple and so good indeed! And I love Tron.
Kepanie
Oh boy oh boy does that look good. I knew I needed a waffle maker. I found your blog, BTW, via Susan B. Anderson (a knitting designer) who’s sophomore college son reads your blog and rec’d it to his mum.
joythebaker
that blows my mind! seriously!
Rachelle
We have the same waffle iron! Also, BLT’s are so simple and so amazing and hands down REQUIRE mayonnaise! I definitely need to break out of the waffles for breakfast only thing I’ve got going on.
Pam
Thanks for the info on the white spouted mixing bowl. Unfortunately ikea doesn’t show it online, must not be available anymore, just my luck.
joythebaker
i did get it a few years ago. sorry about that!
Stoich91
This is like the ultimate BLT holly yum….
Kelci
In the words of Tracy: GUHHHHHH.
marcia
okay, now i know what i’m going to be eating ALL summer. blt’s are my fav and adding waffles >>>> food death right there.
Victoria
I’m coming for lunch! Need anything from SoCal? ;)
Mollie @Sprinkles of Life
Oh yummmmm! these look Ah-Maze!
sundiegoeats
Further proof that I need a waffle iron. Love how your cat is just staring casually perched on the sheepskin. My kitty loves sheepskins and faux fur throws and those are the only surfaces she deigns to sleep on…
Megan @ amacaday.com
“Don’t you know people write blogs about sandwiches like you . .. about sandwiches like you . . . .everything you eeeeaaattt iiiiiiissssss deeeeeelissssshhhhhhhh”
Ludi@BuildBakeTaste
girls like you! I jumped over it like a maniac today! tooooo good a song! you’re always amazing!
Ashley
oh my gosh. this is just incredible. I’d totally smash one of those gorgeous sandwiches in my face right now.
My cat (who has thumbs, since she’s a Hemmingway/polydactyl) watches me in the kitchen. I swear she judges. But she doesn’t commandeer my bacon…
caitlinmatero
This looks to good to pass up! Yum yum.
Caitlin
Lifealamodeblog.wordpress.com
Natalia (basmatilime.blogspot.com)
I have never considered buying a waffle iron until now……
Candace @ The Wheatless Kitchen
I am DYING over these. Must try right meow :)
lidia
as soon as I see your pictures pinned all over pinterest, I don’t have to click on them to know they are from you. you are one of my favorite food stylist!
Libby
The last time I was this amazed by you was when lasagna grilled cheese happened. THIS IS SANDWICHED MAGNIFICENCE.
Elizabeth Batte
Your cat has more self-control than I – I would have dominated a sandwich when you weren’t looking. These are outrageous in the very best way. Can’t wait to try!
Aimee Wimbush-Bourque
You’re killing me!! Now I want all of this for lunch. This is totally my kind of sandwich, mayo and all.
coconut
That Cat….and that sandwich OMG. I love you Joy!
allie@sweetpotatobites
Waffles sandwiches are my fave. Making this.
Mareen [eeny]
omg, that must be food heaven. why have i never had the idea to combine my two favorites? putting this on my menu for the weekend right about now.
Candace @ Cabot
There are no words to describe how much I love this sandwich. Or the picture of Tron, the Boss of Bacon. Attention must be paid!
fichfich
*writhes around on the floor* These look SO DARN GOOD. I need to get me a waffle maker as a matter of urgency.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
That photo is cracking me up! And these BLT’s – whoa. I’m scared to make them because then I may never want to eat any other sandwich again!
Kelly Jo
BLT’s are one of my favorite summer meals. That bacon looks perfectly crisp, and OMG those waffles. So fluffy! I guess a waffle maker is going on my grocery list this week :)
shelly
you are pulling out all the stops with this one.
joythebaker
you’re right about that!
jenna @ justjfaye.com
oh lordy. i cannot wait to make these. blts never looks so amazing.
Courtney
If love to make this for Memorial Day guests! Could the batter sit overnight or could the waffles be reheated for lunch?
joythebaker
let’s see. i think it might be best to gently reheat the waffles rather than letting the waffle batter sit overnight.
kitchenmommy
Thanks! We’ll give that a shot. Or maybe I’ll kick everybody out of the kitchen for a little peaceful meal prep time. :)
cbcreates
I’ve tried not to get a waffle iron all these years, always able to talk myself down (not another occasional appliance, worse still, one that becomes often used) but this one post has toppled my stalwartness. Asking Skip to mine out a square waffle iron from the thrift store by his office.
joythebaker
i think that’s the best plan ever.
shootsandtendrils
Your cat is so beautiful! He sits like a king. And reminds me of my lovely cat named BumbleBee
joythebaker
Tron tips his hat to BumbleBee.
Belinda Lo (Moonblush Baker)
Waffles are greatest bread for a sandwich! I think my late night snack is calling me.
Abigail
This looks like the perfect perfect sunday night splurge.
Lene
I just LIKE your cooking sooo much!
And also your cat.He seems to know his mind :-)
And those white cabinets with art deco details…
(heavy sigh of longing before returning to the jobhunt)
joythebaker
good luck with the hunt! i’m rooting for you!
Pam Kaplan
Would like to know where to purchase your white mixing bowl, thank you
joythebaker
the white mixing bowl is from Ikea.
Marie
yes indeed to all of this! so good!
foodlikecake
Yum! Waffle sandwich, so good :-)
thefoodieteen
yep, that waffle-in-hand picture convinced me too. going to attempt these minus the gluten, grains, or dairy – wish me luck!
joythebaker
good luck! i think you can do it with Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free baking mix and a flaxseed egg substitute!
Jessica's Dinner Partyht
Your kitty is TOO cute! and funny!! Almost forgot to look at the waffles…but I DID and the cheddar/buttermilk waffle is calling out to me.
Jayne @ Tenacious Tinkering
I’d use any kind of carbs for a good BLT. Though I don’t think any would look as good as a waffle one. Cray..
Eva
Your cat is the funniest, I totally believe he runs the house!
And those waffles look great too ;-)
Eva
evainthekitchen.com
Crystal | Apples & Sparkle
Let me just say you are my recipe hero fro creating this dish! So good, I can hardly take it!! = )
Averie @ Averie Cooks
That clutched sandwich shot with it in hand, so thick and wonderful looking, now THAT is the best use ever of some waffles! Pinned!
sophieharriet
Looks so delicious – unfortunately I’m temporarily trying to cut out dairy. Not sure I’m convinced of it’s negative effects but I thought i’d give it a trial and see if I notice any difference. Does anyone else have any thoughts about the effects of dairy?
Sarah | The Sugar Hit
New life goal: eat a waffle BLT and do a dance routine on video with Joy The Baker.