There’s something magical about waking up to warm, cozy waffles infused with holiday spices — that’s why I’m excited to share this Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe with you. Each bite wraps you in comforting flavors that perfectly capture the season’s spirit. Trust me, once you try these, your Christmas mornings will never be the same!

A tall stack of five square waffles in a warm brown color sit on a white plate. The waffles are drizzled with golden syrup that runs down their sides. On top of the stack is a small brown gingerbread man cookie with white icing details for the eyes, smile, and buttons. Powdered sugar is falling from above, covering the waffles and cookie with a light dusting of white. In the blurred background, warm yellow and red lights create a cozy atmosphere. A white marbled surface holds the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of these waffles every holiday season — the blend of warming spices with just a hint of cacao gives them a uniquely festive twist. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to whip up, which means less stress and more time enjoying the magic with your family.

Holiday-Spiced Flavor: The special Christmas spice blend turns your waffle into a cozy treat that smells amazing while cooking.
Moist & Fluffy Texture: Thanks to buttermilk and careful mixing, these waffles come out perfectly tender with crispy edges every time.
Easy to Make Ahead & Freeze: I love prepping extra waffles for busy mornings — they reheat beautifully without losing texture.
Customizable and Versatile: Whether you prefer honey or maple syrup, or want to add your own twists, this recipe is a flexible festive base.

A stack of four thick, golden-brown waffles sits on a white plate, each waffle layer slightly uneven with a soft, airy texture. The waffles are covered with a drizzle of shiny amber syrup that runs down the sides, catching the light. On top of the stack, a small gingerbread man cookie, decorated with white icing for eyes, mouth, and buttons, stands upright. The plate is sprinkled with white powdered sugar, and some powdered sugar is also dusted on the waffles and cookie. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with warm, blurry yellow and red Christmas lights and decorations softly glowing in the dark background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe plays a role in balancing flavor, texture, and that perfect holiday aroma. Here’s why these staples come together so wonderfully — plus some shopping tips to make your kitchen prep hassle-free.

Flat lay of a small mound of gluten-free flour mix, a neat pile of brown Christmas spice powder, a small heap of dark cacao powder, a few whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl containing melted pale yellow butter, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a pinch of coarse sea salt crystals, a small white bowl with amber dark rum, a small white bowl filled with creamy buttermilk, and a small white bowl with light yellow cooking oil, all arranged symmetrically in balanced proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Flour: I use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1:1 mix — it delivers great texture without sacrificing fluffiness. You can swap for all-purpose flour if gluten isn’t a concern.
Christmas Spice: This blend (or gingerbread spice) is the magic here — it combines cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger to evoke those warm holiday memories.
Cacao Powder: Adds a subtle chocolatey depth without overpowering the spices—a secret ingredient I sneak into every batch.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners make sure the waffles rise nicely and keep a tender crumb.
Eggs: Provide structure while keeping the waffles light.
Honey or Maple Syrup: Natural sweetness with a rich flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the spices.
Melted Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps crisp the waffle edges beautifully.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors and gives that comforting aroma.
Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights the spice notes.
Dark Rum (Optional): I love adding a splash for a subtle boozy warmth, but it’s totally optional for kids or alcohol-free versions.
Buttermilk: Makes the batter tender and tangy, perfect for mellowing the spices; you can easily make a vegan buttermilk alternative with plant milk and vinegar.
Cooking Oil Spray: Avocado oil spray works great to keep waffles from sticking without extra greasiness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite parts about this Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I often tweak the spices or toppings depending on the vibe I want—sometimes extra ginger for a zing, sometimes swapping honey for a vegan syrup. You should totally experiment and find your perfect holiday combo!

Variation: I once added finely chopped crystallized ginger and it was a fabulous unexpected twist that guests adored.
Dietary Mods: For dairy-free, swap butter for coconut oil and use vegan "buttermilk" made with almond milk plus a splash of lemon juice.
Sweetener Swap: Maple syrup adds a richer taste than honey, which works especially well if you want a deeper autumnal flavor.
Spice Blend: If you don’t have Christmas spice handy, mix cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg to taste for your own fresh mix.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients Carefully

Start by whisking together your flour, Christmas spice, cacao powder, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. This step helps evenly distribute those vibrant spices and leaveners, so your waffles cook consistently. I like to set this aside while I prepare the wet mix—keeps the workflow smooth and mess minimal!

Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a larger bowl, beat together eggs, honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, vanilla extract, sea salt, and the optional dark rum if you're using it. Then, add the buttermilk and whisk again until everything is well combined. This wet base brings richness and moisture that will make your waffles soft but with a slight tang thanks to the buttermilk.

Step 3: Combine and Don’t Overmix

Now, add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, whisking just until incorporated. I usually do this in two batches to avoid clumps. Remember — lumps are okay here! Overmixing develops gluten and makes waffles tough, so stop once you see a few lumps. The batter should be a bit thick but pourable.

Step 4: Heat Your Waffle Iron and Cook

Preheat your waffle iron to medium heat. Spray it lightly with avocado oil or brush with a little cooking oil to keep those waffles from sticking. I drop about ¼ cup of batter per waffle, but adjust depending on your waffle iron’s size. Cook each waffle for 3-5 minutes until golden and crisp. You’ll know it’s done when steam lessens and your kitchen smells like Christmas magic!

Step 5: Keep Warm and Serve

I always keep finished waffles warm by placing them in a 200°F oven, laid out in a single layer on a baking sheet. This keeps them crispy on the outside while staying tender inside while you finish the batch. Serve them up with your favorite toppings and watch smiles light up every face at the table.

Top Tip

After making this recipe a few times, I’ve learned a handful of tricks that really take these festive waffles to the next level. Whether it’s the right batter consistency or how to keep those edges crisp, these tips will help ensure your kitchen smells amazing and your waffles come out perfect every time.

Don’t Overmix: A few lumps in the batter make for the fluffiest waffles, so resist the urge to whisk until smooth.
Preheat Your Waffle Iron Thoroughly: Medium heat works best to avoid burning the spices but still develop crispy edges.
Keep Them Warm Properly: Using the oven method for finished waffles keeps textures spot on without sogginess.
Use Buttermilk or a Substitute: The acidity helps tenderize the batter and brings out the spices’ brightness.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe

Festive Christmas Waffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these waffles with thick yogurt—Greek or plant-based for creaminess—and a generous dollop of nut butter for richness. Fresh berries add a pop of color and a bright, tart contrast to the warm spices. A drizzle of maple syrup or honey finishes each plate with a luscious glaze.

Side Dishes

Pair these waffles with crisp apple slices or roasted chestnuts for a festive flair. Sometimes I make a simple scrambled egg dish or smoky breakfast sausage alongside to round out the meal. Hot cocoa or a spiced latte complement these waffles perfectly for a holiday brunch spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy Christmas morning, I stack the waffles high on a platter and sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon on top, with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine needles for an evergreen touch. You could also create a waffle bar setup with bowls of assorted toppings—perfect for allowing guests to customize and have a little festive fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover waffles go straight into an airtight container in the fridge — they stay surprisingly good for up to three days. When I make a big batch, I lay them flat so they don’t stick together—makes reheating easier and keeps the edges crispy.

Freezing

Freezing is a gift for busy holiday mornings! I freeze waffles by placing them on a baking sheet in a single layer until firm, then stacking them with parchment paper in between before storing in freezer bags. They keep great for 1-2 months.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop frozen waffles in the toaster or toaster oven until hot and crisp again — about 3-5 minutes. This method helps maintain that freshly made texture and flavor much better than microwaving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Replace the eggs with flax or chia egg substitutes, use a plant-based milk with a splash of vinegar as vegan buttermilk, and swap butter for coconut oil or vegan butter. The spices and everything else stay the same and taste fantastic.

What should I do if my waffles stick to the waffle iron?

Make sure to preheat your waffle iron fully and spray it with a good-quality cooking oil (avocado or coconut oil spray are great). Also, avoid opening the iron too soon—wait until it’s fully cooked and the steam reduces, so the waffles release more easily.

Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the batter and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just give it a gentle whisk before using, as the leavening may settle a bit. This makes morning prep feel much easier.

Do I have to use the dark rum?

Not at all—it’s completely optional! Adding dark rum gives a lovely depth of flavor and warmth, but if you prefer to leave it out, the waffles will still be delicious and festive.

Final Thoughts

Making these Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe has become one of my beloved holiday traditions. It’s such a joy to gather around the table, savor those crackling edges, and soak up the aromas that fill the air. I hope you enjoy creating this cozy, celebratory breakfast as much as I do — trust me, it’s a recipe that becomes a cherished memory every time.