Apple Sweets, Part 2

More new-harvest apples!

SPICED BUTTERMILK WAFFLES WITH CARAMELIZED APPLES & YOGURT

Serves 4

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more butter for brushing waffle iron

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs, separated

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 recipe Caramelized Apples (recipe below)

4-6 tablespoons plain or vanilla low-fat yogurt

Place flour, baking soda, salt and spices in the bowl of a standing mixer. Add melted butter, buttermilk, egg yolks, honey and vanilla, and mix on medium speed until a few lumps remain (this is the butter, which has come to room temperature again).

Transfer the mixture to a larger bowl, and wash and dry the stand-up mixer's bowl. OR, if you have a second standing-mixer bowl (man, I've always wanted one of those), then skip this step. Place the egg whites in a clean stand-up mixer bowl and whip until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into the batter gently.

Heat a greased waffle iron. Brush both sides with butter and ladle in batter, following instructions from your waffle iron manufacturer so waffle is golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve waffles hot with Caramelized Apples and yogurt.

Caramelized Apples:

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

3 fresh gala apples, peeled and diced

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Heat butter on medium in a large skillet until melted. Add diced apples, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir to coat apples with butter and brown sugar. Cover pan for a few minutes to let apples soften, checking and stirring occasionally. Lower heat if necessary. Remove lid and cook for a few more minutes until a syrupy sauce develops. Serve warm.