Belgian Black Forest Waffles

Ingredients:

Waffles

• 2 cups premium flour
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 0.5 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp of soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 and 3/4 cups warm milk
• 110g unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus extra for greasing the waffle iron
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
• 2 large eggs, separate the yolks from the whites
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup mini chocolate chips
• Whipped cream, for serving

Cherry sauce

• 1.5 cups canned pitted cherries + 3/4 cup juice from the jar
• 3/4 cup cherry jam
• 1/3 tbsp. natural maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp almond extract

Preparation:

1. Prepare the dough:
   
   In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, melted butter, coconut oil, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and use a silicone spatula to combine into a dough (it's okay if a few lumps remain).
3. In a separate large bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, then fold in the mini chocolate chips.
4. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let sit for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the cherry sauce.:
   
   Combine the cherries and their juice, jam, and maple syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the syrup thickens, about 20 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract. Set aside until ready to serve.
7. Preheat oven to 95°C. Place a rack on a baking sheet.
8. Fry some waffles:
   
   Preheat a waffle iron (preferably a Belgian waffle iron). Lightly grease the waffle iron with melted butter; pour in the batter, filling each waffle iron three-quarters full. Close and cook the waffles according to the waffle iron manufacturer's instructions.
9. Transfer the waffles to a wire rack and keep them in a warm oven while you cook the remaining waffles. Before pouring the batter, grease the waffle iron with butter..
10. If necessary, thin the cherry sauce with a little water. Serve the waffles with whipped cream and cherry sauce.