If you’re looking to make liege waffles and can’t find pearl sugar, try this DIY pearl sugar method to make your own!
Liege waffles are the singular reason I’ve ever sought out pearl sugar. Liege waffles are the sophisticated and honestly SUPERIOR cousin of regular waffles.
They require two essential ingredients for a sweeter, denser, chewier, more delicious version of regular waffles: yeasted waffle batter and pearl sugar. Pearl sugar is basically chunks of uber-compacted sugar that doesn’t melt as easily as regular sugar and thus creates bites of delightfully crunchy sweetness. It is the key to ultimate textural/taste delight.
DIY Pearl Sugar Methods: Overnight vs. Stovetop
When I ran out of time to hunt the real stuff down last week for the challah waffles I planned to make for my roommate’s Galentine’s Day brunch party (the real stuff is rumored to be found at IKEA, Whole Foods and some Cost Plus World Markets), a bit of googling led to the discovery that making your own pearl sugar is actually pretty easy.
I can’t claim that this will give you the same results as using the real stuff, but as long as you use a trusty waffle recipe, you will get little caramelized pockets of sugar in your waffles with no grocery shopping or excess money spending required. And that’s worth money, trust me.
I tried two methods: I found this compacting method on The Sugar Hit blog that required an overnight rest (left) and a stovetop method that took about 20 minutes (right).
The compacting method consisted of mixing sugar and maple syrup, packing the mixture into a plate and refrigerating overnight. In the morning, you can pound the hardened, sugar-cube like substance into small chunks. (If you go this route, I would line the bottom of the plate with wax paper for easier removal. I was worried about breaking my plate during the pounding stage.)
The stovetop method required letting a mixture of sugar and a tiny bit of water sit over very low heat until crystallized.
Why I Prefer the Stovetop Method
I liked the stovetop method better for two key reasons:
- It’s faster
- As you can see in the photos, the stovetop method yielded rounded chunks of sugar that resembled pearl sugar more closely than the flatter shards of sugar from the overnight method. The shards reminded me of roughly hacked sugar cubes, which, incidentally, is another feasible pearl sugar substitute.
But honestly? We used both in the waffles and all the waffles seemed equally popular.
DIY Pearl Sugar
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Add the sugar and water to a small pot. Turn the pot on over the lowest heat setting possible and stir with a wooden spoon until small clumps of sugar form. Your goal is to clump as much sugar together as possible (minimizing the amount of loose sugar) while not creating any overly large clumps. If there seems to be too much loose sugar and not enough clumps, add 1/2 teaspoon of water and stir again. Don’t add too much water or you’ll end up with soggy sugar.
- Let the mixture sit over low heat for 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This essentially dries out the sugar into the clumps you just created. (If the mixture doesn’t seem to be sticking into ball-like clumps, you can turn the heat up to medium low for 30 seconds or so, then return to low heat–just don’t let the sugar melt down into caramel).
- Remove from heat and let cool completely (clumps should harden as they cool!) before using.
Joanne
I’d never even heard of pearl sugar before this! Crazy. Learn something new every day!
Katie (The Muffin Myth)
Sooooo good. I have the world’s crappiest waffle iron, but I bet challah waffles are thick enough that they might work. I clicked through to the waffle recipe where she said that Swedish pearl sugar is smaller than Belgian, which makes sense. Your pearls look waaaaay bigger than the stuff I’ve seen here. But if you ever want some authentic Swedish pearl sugar, just hollar and I’ll send you a box.
KT
teigan
send me a box pleeeaseee
erika
Haha done! 😉
Irene loglisci
What us ur charge for
PEARL SUGAR?
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen
Yesss, thanks for these great tips!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I love you! This is sooo amazing! I love liege waffles so homemade pearl sugar is like a miracle!
Laura Dembowski
This is so cool! I can’t even find pearl sugar in the stores, so I need this in my life!
The vegan 8
Erika you always introduce me to new things! I have never heard of pearl sugar or those type of waffles! However, I’m dying for some now. I absolutely love waffles and with that sugar, it must be incredible!
erika
Aw so glad to hear it! I know you generally don’t eat sugar, but these ARE pretty incredible…what is your go-to waffle recipe? I just tried a vegan/gluten-free one this morning (Edible Perspective’s everyday waffle)–so good!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
I would NEVER have thought to make my own pearl sugar, Erika! Thanks for comparing the two methods so that we don’t have to. You rock, lady. I totally agree – the stove method makes much better looking pearl sugar. I love liege waffles like nobody’s business. I bought a box of pearl sugar a year ago (A YEAR AGO!) and have yet to try my hand at making the waffles. I need to get on that, stat!
erika
Thanks Nancy! I’m so glad you’re with me on the liege waffle love front–but girl, you HAVE to use your pearl sugar! Don’t make me come over there and make the waffles for you! (Or do, because I love making waffles. And eating them with you would be super fun.)
The Wimpy Vegetarian
So cool! I’ve never heard of pearl sugar, and never heard of liege waffles. I’m feeling a little deprived here. What a fabulous idea for a brunch!
erika
SUSAN!! You must get ON liege waffles. Today. This weekend. You will love them. Even if you’re on your no/low-sugar diet. They are seriously so filling and satisfying that a just a quarter can do the trick (moderation right?). I will be back in the Bay Area next weekend so I’ll make some for you then, okay? 🙂
Shikha @ Shikha la mode
This is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time – and as always, canNOT get over your photos and GIFs!
erika
Awwwwww thanks girl 🙂
cynthia
This is so interesting, Erika! I had no idea what pearl sugar even was before this post — larnin’ somethin new every day. If I ever get a waffle maker, this will be on my to-do list. 🙂
yummychunklet
Thanks for the idea!
Choc Chip Uru
Little (BIG) sugary goodness 😀
Thanks for introducing me to pearl sugar!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Mary Frances
How cool is that?! I am so easily entertained 🙂 I think I could this over and over and never get tired! Pearl sugar – all the way girl!
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal
I haven’t heard of pearl sugar before but this is pretty interesting! 🙂
erika
Oh my gosh. If you’ve never had a liege waffle…GET/MAKE ONE TODAY!!
Michelle
You have read my mind! Liege waffles are one of my favorite desserts/breakfasts ( <– same thing) EVER!!! 🙂
I'd love for you to teach me how to make homemade speculoos (or "cookie butter" as Trader Joes calls it) to go with the waffles! Mmmm….
erika
Ooh yes I remember you talking about your fav place in LA in one of your posts! Must go someday. And I’ve seen tutorials for homemade speculoos somewhere…that would be the perfect excuse to make more waffles 🙂