Recipe: Maple-Walnut Crunch Waffles

Maple-Walnut Crunch Waffles
Recipe by : Jo Anne Merrill
Makes 3 large waffles

2 large eggs
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup black walnuts
margarine
cinnamon sugar

* Cinnamon sugar is made by combining 1/2 cup sugar with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Store in container with lid.

Preheat waffle iron according to directions. Fit the steel knife blade into the work bowl of a food processor. Combine eggs, syrup, buttermilk, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, shortening, and walnuts in the bowl. Process until batter is light and airy, only about 5 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and process about 2 seconds more. Pour 1/3 of the batter at a time into the center of preheated waffle iron. Bake according to manufacturer's instructions or until steaming stops, which takes about 5 minutes. Remove waffles carefully. Top with margarine and cinnamon sugar.