There’s something magical about the smell of warming spices in the morning air, especially around the holidays. This Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe perfectly blends cozy flavors like cinnamon and cacao to bring a little festive joy to your breakfast table – it’s truly worth making for a special winter morning treat.

A white plate holds a stack of four golden-brown waffles, each layer showing a crispy texture with syrup dripping down the sides. On top of the stack stands a small gingerbread man cookie decorated with white icing for eyes, buttons, and a smile. Powdered sugar is being sprinkled from above, creating a gentle falling snow effect over the waffles and cookie. The background features soft yellow bokeh lights and hints of Christmas-themed shapes, all set on a white marbled surface. 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 Spice Waffles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t recommend this Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe enough—every time I make it, the whole house smells like a holiday wonderland. The spices aren’t overpowering but perfectly balanced, and the cacao adds a subtle richness that makes these waffles feel truly special.

Warm & Inviting Flavor: The Christmas spice mix infuses each waffle with nostalgic holiday aromas that instantly put you in a festive mood.
Moist, Fluffy Texture: Using buttermilk and baking soda gives the waffles a light crumb while keeping them tender and soft inside.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want to go vegan, gluten-free, or add a splash of rum, this recipe adapts well without losing its charm.
Great for Freezing and Meal Prep: Make a big batch ahead of time, freeze leftovers, and have festive breakfasts ready to go all season long.

A stack of five thick golden brown waffles sits on a white plate, each waffle layer showing a slightly crisp texture with syrup dripping down the sides. The stack is topped with a small gingerbread cookie decorated with white icing, dusted lightly with powdered sugar over the top waffle and the plate. The background has warm glowing lights and out-of-focus Christmas decorations, while the surface is a white marbled texture with some scattered powdered sugar. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a part in creating those classic holiday flavors and perfect waffle texture. Here’s a quick peek at why I love these ingredients and some tips to choose the best ones.

Flat lay of a small mound of fine, pale gluten-free flour mix, a white ceramic bowl filled with rich, dark brown cacao powder, a small white bowl holding a warm brown Christmas spice blend, two whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of deep amber honey, a small white bowl with golden melted unsalted butter, a small white bowl containing clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl filled with fine sea salt crystals, a small white bowl of pale buttermilk, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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, but you can use regular all-purpose for more traditional waffles – the choice makes this recipe friendly for various diets.
Christmas Spice Blend: This is usually a mix of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger – it’s the heart of the festive flavor.
Cacao Powder: Adds a subtle cocoa note that deepens the flavor without making the waffles taste like chocolate cake.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents help the waffles puff up beautifully without being dense.
Eggs: Essential for structure and richness – I use large eggs for perfect binding.
Honey or Maple Syrup: Natural sweetness that complements the spices perfectly.
Melted Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture while helping achieve a crisp outside.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a warm, sweet aroma.
Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the spices.
Dark Rum (Optional): Adds complexity and a festive kick but can be left out for family-friendly breakfasts.
Buttermilk: This acidic dairy tenderizes the batter and works wonders with the leavening agents for a light texture. Don’t have buttermilk? Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar with enough plant milk to make 1 cup and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Cooking Oil Spray: Avocado oil spray works great for greasing the waffle iron to prevent sticking without extra fat.

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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

The best part? You can really play with this Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe to suit your taste and lifestyle. I love switching things up depending on the morning vibe!

Variation: Once, I swapped the cacao for a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice—talk about cozy! I also add chopped nuts on top before closing the waffle iron for a delightful crunch.
Dietary Tweaks: To make it vegan, I swap eggs for flax eggs and use plant-based butter and maple syrup, plus vegan buttermilk – the waffles still come out tender and flavorful.
Seasonal Twists: Try folding in fresh cranberries or adding orange zest for a bright holiday twist that complements the spices.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, Christmas spice blend, cacao powder, baking powder, and baking soda. This ensures the leavening is evenly distributed so your waffles rise nicely. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, vanilla extract, sea salt, and dark rum if you’re using it. Once smooth, pour in the buttermilk and whisk again until everything’s combined and silky.

Step 3: Combine & Don’t Overmix

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet and gently whisk to combine. You can do this in two batches. The key here is to stop when you no longer see big pockets of flour — a few lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing can make the waffles tough.

Step 4: Cook Your Waffles

Heat your waffle iron to medium, spray or brush it with a little oil, and pour in about ¼ cup of batter for each waffle. Cook for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crisp. I usually keep mine warm in a 200F oven on a baking sheet in a single layer, so they stay crunchy while I finish the batch.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that make these festive waffles turn out beautifully every time. Don’t worry, they’re simple tricks that you’ll thank yourself for once you taste the results!

Don’t Skip the Buttermilk: It really makes a difference in texture and flavor. If you don’t have any, the vegan buttermilk substitute works just as well.
Avoid Overmixing: Stop when the batter just comes together. Those little lumps will disappear while cooking.
Keep Waffles Warm Properly: The oven trick keeps waffles crispy, not soggy, which everyone loves.
Experiment with Spices: I once added a pinch of cardamom – it was an unexpected hit!

How to Serve Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe

Christmas spice waffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these waffles with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt, a smear of almond butter, and a handful of fresh winter berries like cranberries or pomegranate seeds – it adds brightness and balance to the rich spice flavors.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside crispy bacon or sausage for a classic combo, or for a vegetarian brunch, some roasted chestnuts and spiced apple slices work beautifully. Hot coffee or mulled cider is a perfect pairing to complete the festive vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For cozy holiday gatherings, try stacking waffles layered with spiced whipped cream and drizzles of maple syrup or caramel sauce. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and dust lightly with powdered sugar for a charming look that’ll wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for 2-3 days without losing their flavor or texture.

Freezing

One of my favorite hacks: freeze waffles individually on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a ziplock bag. That way, you can grab a festive waffle any morning without the fuss of making a fresh batch each time.

Reheating

I reheat frozen waffles in a toaster or oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to bring back that perfect crispiness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the texture just right.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! I use Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1:1 flour mix, which works perfectly in this recipe without any change in texture or flavor. Just make sure your baking powder is gluten-free too.

How do I make vegan Festive Christmas Spice Waffles?

You can replace eggs with flax or chia eggs (1 tablespoon ground seed + 3 tablespoons water per egg), use plant-based butter and maple syrup, and make vegan buttermilk by mixing 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup plant milk. The waffles turn out tender and delicious.

Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter the night before and refrigerate it. Just give it a gentle stir before cooking the waffles. However, for best texture, it’s recommended to make the batter fresh if possible.

What toppings go best with Festive Christmas Spice Waffles?

Toppings like Greek yogurt, nut butters, fresh winter berries, whipped cream, warm maple syrup, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar complement the holiday spices wonderfully. Adding nuts or a drizzle of caramel also elevates the flavors.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Spice Waffles Recipe holds a warm spot in my heart because it’s a simple way to bring holiday magic into the everyday. Whether it’s a cozy Christmas morning or a weekend you just want to feel special, these waffles deliver comfort and joy in every bite. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to festive breakfast too!