Look at those waffles. They look absolutely decadent, do they not?
As Chris was photographing them, he kept saying "I'm going to gain 100 pounds with this breakfast, aren't I?"
If I didn't know better, I would probably think that too. These waffles are absolutely incredible! The waffles are like a cross between brownies and chocolate cake. Every bite of the cake waffle mixed with rich cream, juicy strawberries, and the little crunch from the cacao nibs sprinkled on top was so enthralling it was almost indecent. With all of that whipped cream nestled into the nooks and crannies of those sumptuous waffles, I would think that a meal this indulgent would be better suited for a special occasion rather than just some ordinary Sunday.
The truth is, however, that these chocolate strawberry shortcake waffles are not terrible for you. They're not something I would eat on a daily basis, but for a dessert-like breakfast, these are pretty healthy.
The waffles have redeeming health benefits from the cacao powder (though cocoa powder could be used in place of the cacao). There is just a minimal amount of coconut oil (though that can easily be subbed with applesauce) and they are sweetened by NuNaturals Pure Liquid Lo Han Supreme sweetener. This is one of the products that NuNaturals gave to me to try and I have to say- so far I'm loving it! I kept trying to taste it with every bite of my waffles and wasn't able to distinguish the difference at all. I also used a little bit of the powdered version, the LoSweet Pure Extract to sweeten my coconut whipped cream!
Lo Sweet is a natural plant-based, non-caloric sweetener that rates as a zero on the glycemic index so it will not affect your blood sugar. According to NuNaturals, "This pleasant tasting fruit extract is perfect for dieters & anyone concerned about the effects of sugar on their health. These all-natural products are made from the fruit Lo Han Guo (also known as monk fruit.) The Monk Fruit is notable for its sweetness, which can be concentrated from its juice. It has been used as a food, beverage, and a traditional medicine to treat diabetes & obesity for centuries in Asia." Because I am hypoglycemic and have issues with my blood sugar, I try to always use low-glycemic sugar alternatives like stevia, coconut sugar, coconut nectar, and now the NuNaturals Lo Han products. These types of products are a lifesaver for me but they're also great for those just wanting to enjoy a sweet (and healthy) indulgence.
NuNaturals has been kind enough to let me be a part of a very generous and amazing giveaway, which I will tell you all about in a moment. First, I'll let you fantasize about these waffles a little while longer.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/3 cup cacao or cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup almond milk (or other nondairy milk)
- 2/3 cup plain coconut milk yogurt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 50-60 drops of NuNaturals Pure Liquid Lo Han Supreme Sweetener ( or 3 tablespoons coconut sugar)
- vegan oil spray (for spraying the waffle iron)
- 1 can of coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
- 1/4 teaspoon NuNaturals LoSweet Pure Extract Sweetener (or 1 teaspoon powdered sugar/xylitol)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups hulled and quartered strawberries
- cacao nibs for sprinkling (optional)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons cacao or cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat waffle maker according to machine instructions.
- Make the waffle batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. In a small bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, combine and let sit for about 10 minutes.
- While the batter is resting, make your whipped cream. I followed Angela's instructions, though I used 1/4 teaspoon of LoSweet Pure Extract. Freezing the bowl prior is key, though. Just follow Angela's instructions.
- Once your whipped cream is made, your strawberries prepared, and your batter has rested, begin making your waffles. Make your waffles using your machine's instructions, making sure to spray the waffle iron with a little oil in between each waffle.
- Once the waffles are made, you can serve them one of three ways: 1.) Top one waffle with whipped cream and strawberries, top with cacao nibs and serve; 2.) Top one waffle with whipped cream and strawberries, then top with another waffle and repeat. Slice as you would a cake and serve; 3.) Cut a waffle into quarters. Top one quarter with coconut cream and strawberries, top with another quarter, repeat and serve. Repeat with the other two quarters. You can serve it as is, or top with some of the chocolate maple syrup, but we thought it was fine without it. Enjoy!
Now, onto the Giveaway!
As I said, NuNaturals is hosting a very generous giveaway. I, along with Angela at Canned Time, Annie at An Unrefined Vegan, and Sarah at Gazing In will each be giving away two NuNatural's Lo Han Products to four lucky readers. That means there will be a total of sixteen winners! You can enter on all of our blogs to increase your chances and this giveaway is open to all readers worldwide! Then, as if that wasn't awesome enough, one of those sixteen winners will win a selection of NuNaturals wellness products with a retail value of $125! This contest will close on July 11th so hurry up and get your entries in! There are many ways to enter, so please follow the instructions in the box below. I encourage you to enter at Canned Time, An Unrefined Vegan, and Gazing In as well!
Good luck in the contest, eat some of these waffles and for my American readers, have a very sweet Independence Day!
Disclaimer: NuNaturals provided me with product for this review although I was under no obligation to do so. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
Photography by Chris Miller
Christine
I'd like to try my hand at making jam with this sweetener.
slywlf
Oh my! I have been working at healthifying my favorite cookie recipe - I've subbed whole wheat flour for white and coconut oil for the butter/shortening, now if this sweetener could sub for the sugar I'd be able to indulge in my molasses ginger cookies much more often! 😉
Annie
You know how much I love waffles - so I WILL be making these, maybe even alongside of that gorgeous cream!!
Ali Seiter @ Farmers Market Vegan
These waffles, of course! 😀
Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir
I'd want to try this recipe if I won. This looks amazing!
Bragan
Oh my gosh, I would love to make this waffle recipe because I got a waffle maker not that long ago and I need some recipes to use it with!
Thank you so much for your generosity!
Shannon C
Hmm... maybe I'll make these! But also, vegan brownies. 🙂
Hailey
I love Nu Naturals, thanks for the giveaway! I'd love to try these waffles, or maybe make them pancakes because I don't have a waffle iron.
Suzanne
WOW! Your photos are stunning! I would love some tips and tricks if you have them!
Kerry
Breakfast is my favorite meal, so I would love to try the sweetener in my favorite breakfast foods. I would definitely try this recipe, and maybe some pancakes. I would also try it in my oatmeal!
Beth
Wow! I would love to try these waffles! And I'd love to win the NuNaturals sweetener!
Hannah
Granola.
Terri Cole
I like to try this sweetener in some vegan ice cream. mmmmmmmmm!
The Vegan Kat
Oh wow, those look amazing!
Amanda T.
I would love to try the chocolate strawberry shortcake waffles recipe.
Cassie
I would use this sweetener in everything! Smoothies, brownies, coffee, you name it!
Shira
What a ridiculously beautiful cake!! GAH - Happy July 4th Kristy! xo
Richa
love the presentation of the waffles! so pretty
Dana
I'd definitely make banana bread with it!
narf7
As one of those "foreign readers" who feel like we are in a group of our own whenever we read the title "GIVEAWAYS" I am over the moon at being able to enter this competition. Thank you for the chance to enter. Who cares if I win, I at least get to take part this time 🙂
Treesa
I would love to try Lo Han in raw vegan sweet recipes, replacing stevia (which I am not a big fan of), Love that they are a local to me (in Oregon) company! Thanks for hosting this giveaway, Kristy.
BTW: I had a really hard time with Raflecopter, I couldn't get all the entry offers to work. 🙁
Emma
These look heavenly. I love that you and your husband do the blog together- You the recipes and him the photos.
I've been interested in trying out stevia products so I'd love to win. Thanks so much for opening this up worldwide!
Claudia Desmarais
Well, this may sound like an easy answer, but I think using their products in your fantastic-looking strawberry shortcake waffles would be a perfect place to start ;o)
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!
Courtney
I would like to use it to sweeten coffee/tea!
janet @ the taste space
Wow - simply gorgeous, Kristy. I'd probably add it to some iced tea.
Ashley P
These waffles look amazing! I would love to try them!
Sarah
I like to use liquid sweeteners to sweeten whipped toppings. Coconut cream, anyone? Yum!
Nicole
I'd like to try THIS waffle and cream recipe. I absolutely LOVE waffles!!!
saniel
I have been wanting to do a vegan cinnabon pancake recipe. Would be cool to try a new sweetener. Thanks
Emily - it comes naturally
It's my birthday coming up so I would use it in my vegan birthday cake and coconut frosting. Or I am dying to try making vegan fudge, so I might try it in that!
Hannah@Mindrunningwild
I would love to try any new product by NuNaturals! I'm thinking that I"d probably do it in pancakes, but there is always room for waffles!
Jen T.
vegan chocolate truffles
Alex @ Delicious-Knowledge
Those waffles look incredible. I keep saying how I need to make your waffle recipes and now I don't know which ones to try first!? Love the use of berries and whipped cream.
HilLesha
I'd like to use it in vegan brownies.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
Best waffles EVER! This may just be the only way to eat waffles from here on out!
Jenn
Gorgeous!
Nicole (FoodBlogLife)
These look DIVINE! 🙂
Katherine
your coconut whipped cream will be perfect for all summer treats! I'd love to try this sweetener to make the cream!
Maryann D.
I would try this waffle recipe or a pancake recipe with fruit also.
susie king
I would like to try your chocolate strawberry shortcake waffles.
Nikki Nisly
Dang these look good! I'm definitely interested in trying out the NuNaturals sweetner. I'm thinking pumpkin bread sounds like a good recipe to use it on!
Claire Suellentrop
You know, I *just* came across a gorgeous recipe for honeysuckle cordial, which can be mixed into all sorts of drinks and dishes. It sounds so elegant and fragrant, but contains TONS of sugar. I'd love to try swapping at least *some* (if not all) of said sugar with a NuNaturals product.
keira
I'd want to make some awesome muffins or quick bread with it:) mmmmm
Bianca Rogoveanu
pancackes !
Lynn
Thank you for the giveaway! I would love to try Lo Han in many different baking recipes. I think it would also be interesting to put it in pancakes, and maybe try sweetening drinks with it.
Kimberly
I would totally make Vegan coconut 'creme brulee.'
Lolly
Delish!! And your photography is amazing.....makes my mouth water!!
Lolly
marcie
These look absolutely delicious! Great idea.
Rachel H
I just got a waffle maker so I'd love try this recipe!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Oh goodness Kristy, this is so beautiful!
I'm so intrigued by this new sweetener! I would love a chance to try it in everything! From baked goods to raw cakes and puddings, even in my tea 🙂
Sandy
Need to try these waffles with the sweetner. Also make some pretty righteous vegan cupcakes, and this sweetner could become the sweetner of choice!
Yvonne
I've never used NuNaturals so I'm very curious to try how it sweetens my baked goods without me falling in a sugar coma!
Sasha
I'd love to try it in my Tropical Pineapple Coconut Oat Cups http://onesmallvegan.com/2013/03/08/tropical-pineapple-coconut-oat-cups/ and also in these waffles! They look amazing, and I don't even like strawberries!
Julia
Id like to try it in everything, but especially in baked goods like brownies! Going sugar free is hard now, but I know it will get easier.
Heather
Oh man, these do look incredible- I am always wary of this kind of sweetener, the one I have tried always seem to have an off taste. But I take your word for it Kristy, I am thinking I am going to have to give them a chance 🙂
Kiersten
These waffles or maybe some pancakes. Don't want to overdose on sugar at breakfast!
RubyShooZ
I'm sure going to be making these waffles!
There are so many things that LoHan has to offer it's hard to pick just one; they all stand out and look delicious!
Moo
I would like to try the sweetener in a cashew 'cheez' cake.
Jayne
I'd want to make my aunt some cinnamon rolls. She's diabetic and has been refraining from them for a few years now.
Annemiek
Hey Kristy,
I found your blog in a link on anunrefinedvegan. I just started to try to live healthy and hope I keep motivated by blogging.
You're blog is full of inspiring recipes, I'll be following you!! Thanks!!
Trish @infinebalance
I'd love to try these sweeteners in baking. Not very original I know, but I'd love to experiment and see how the texture compares. I love the idea of sending the kids to school with baked-goods that are not loaded with sugar.
Melissa
I've seen a couple single-serving mug recipes (like mug brownies and cookies) that call for NuNaturals products, so I'd love to win this stuff and finally get to make some of those recipes!
Katie @ Produce on Parade
I'd love to try NuNaturals in my Hibiscus Lemon Tea I make daily!
rika@veganmiam.com
The waffles "cake" look beautiful! I tried the NuNaturals that I won, but it was slightly too sweet for me. I'm sure they will work great in desserts like yours!