Bacon Cheddar Waffles

Ingredients

• 8 slices thick-cut bacon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons bacon drippings, warm
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced

Before you cook

• Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes, then drain it on paper towels and crumble it.
• Pour off and reserve 3 tablespoons of the warm bacon drippings.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.
• Beat the buttermilk, eggs, bacon drippings and melted butter together in a second bowl.
• Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, then fold in the cheddar, crumbled bacon and scallions.

Steps

1. Heat a waffle iron to medium-high and grease it well, since the cheese wants to stick.
2. Spoon about 3/4 cup of the thick batter into the iron and spread it to the edges.
3. Close the lid and bake for five minutes, until the cheese has browned and the steam has slowed.
4. Ease the waffle out with a fork and set it on a wire rack.
5. Repeat with the remaining batter, regreasing the iron each time.
6. Serve the waffles topped with a fried egg or a spoonful of sour cream and hot sauce.