Hardevafler

Celebrate International Waffle Day with crisp waffles dipped in chocolate

Photo: Kristi Bissell
March 25 is International Waffle Day, a perfect occasion to enjoy Kristi Bissell’s Hardevafler.

KRISTI BISSELL
Ture North Kitchen

Mark your calendar: March 25 is International Waffle Day in the Nordic countries.

It is also the date of the Feast of the Annunciation (also known as Our Lady’s Day), which is why waffle day is celebrated on March 25 in the first place. In the Swedish language, Our Lady’s Day (Vårfrudagen) when pronounced sounds a lot like Våffeldagen (Waffle Day). As a wink and a nod to this linguistic similarity, people in Sweden started celebrating Vårfrudagen by eating waffles.

Although Waffle Day originated from an idiosyncrasy in the Swedish language, it is celebrated on March 25 throughout the region. Norwegians enjoy their heart-shaped waffles in many ways, most notably topped with thin slices of brunost (brown cheese), rømme (sour cream), and syltetøy (jam).

Should you be looking to branch out from traditional waffles this year, consider giving hardevafler a try. More of a crisp cookie than a waffle, hardevafler are made by pressing homemade dough in a heart-shaped waffle maker. The result is a batch of irresistibly crisp, buttery cookies … no oven necessary! My recipe includes a dip in melted chocolate to finish these cookies off with a flourish, but you can certainly leave them plain if you prefer.

You really can’t go wrong with waffles in any shape or form. These hardevafler are a fun and easy afternoon project that brings something a little unexpected and festive to Waffle Day and a new way to use that heart-shaped waffle maker. Be sure to have a cup of coffee ready to enjoy with these chocolate-dipped waffle cookies … they are perfect together. Happy Waffle Day to you and yours!

Do you need a heart-shaped waffle iron? You can find them at Scandinavian stores (online or in person), and major online retailers. Email food@na-weekly.com to be connected to a Scandinavian store!

Hardevafler 

(Crisp Waffle Cookies

 Dipped in Chocolate)

Makes about 20 cookies

By Kristi Bissell of True North Kitchen

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chocolate chips

2 tsps. coconut oil or vegetable shortening

Here’s how you make it 

 Add the butter and sugars to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.

Add the vanilla and the salt. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour. Mix until the dough just comes together.

Heat a heart-shaped waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the waffle maker is up to temperature, place a heaping tablespoon of dough into the center of each heart shape on a heart-shaped waffle maker.

Close the lid and cook until the cookies are golden brown, about 3 minutes.

Carefully remove the cookies from the waffle maker and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Heat the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave on 50% power for 1 minute at a time until melted, about 3 minutes total (give the mixture a stir after each minute of cooking).

Dip half of each heart cookie in the chocolate and set on a piece of wax or parchment paper to dry (you can accelerate the drying process by briefly transferring the dipped cookies to the refrigerator).

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

This article originally appeared in the March 4, 2022, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.