Sweet and Sassy Cinnamon Roll Waffles

A Clever Idea

Once the year end holiday rush subsides and the new year begins to find its rhythm, my thoughts turn to those little kitchen treasures that might warm the heart for Valentine’s Day. I begin to sample ideas that are simple and sweet especially when they include flavor notes of chocolate or cinnamon. Elements of surprise and thoughtfulness trump elegance and complex preparation, especially for this weekday holiday that remains a matter of personal observation and is not recognized by the government or employers as a legitimate reason to skip work.

With these criteria in mind I realized I had already made my first Valentine discovery before the dawn of the New Year. A waffle maker made its way under the family Christmas tree on Christmas morning and within hours we had discovered a clever post from A Hen’s Nest on Pinterest. It combined the ease of canned cinnamon rolls with the quick application of a waffle maker to produce tasty Waffled Cinnamon Rolls in two and half minutes or less!

Quick Cinnamon Sweetness

Personally I think it is a stroke of genius! My children have always liked canned cinnamon rolls as a weekend treat they can cook and enjoy warm whenever they decide it is time to get out of bed. Having discovered that the cinnaom rolls can be “baked” in the waffle iron in just a couple of minutes makes that ready-when-you-are quality even more appealing. What’s more my boys associated the process with one of their favorite episodes from “The Office” adding a sense of quirky humor to breakfast.

For my part I thought these waffles were fun and relatively tasty. There is nothing particularly wholesome about them but they are warm and cinnamon-y and show a spark of adventure…not a bad combination for a special Tuesday-morning-Valentine’s-Day-breakfast-treat, or anytime you crave a quick bite of cinnamon sweetness.

Cinnamon Roll Waffles
from A Hen’s Nest

1 can (8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls (I used Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, regular size, not Grands)
powdered sugar or maple syrup, if desired

Preheat the waffle maker according to manufacturer’s directions. (I used a Cooks Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker set to a medium heat setting)

Meanwhile open the can of cinnamon rolls, separate them and arrange them on a plate so they are ready to go.

When the waffle maker is hot place four of the cinnamon rolls on the cooking plate with one roll centered in each quadrant.

Close the waffle maker and lock.

Cook the cinnamon roll waffles for approximately 2 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Carefully remove waffles from the waffle maker. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup or place the icing that came in the cinnamon roll package in a small side dish for dipping.

Makes 8 small waffles.

Note: Leftover waffles can be frozen and reheated in a toaster when desired.

Enjoy!