
All purpose flour is the work horse of most baked goods homemade and pre-packaged. There’s nothing wrong with using all purpose flour as it makes incredibly light and fluffy pancakes, breads and just about anything when used properly. The only major bummer is that it doesn’t have any nutritional value and doesn’t really add any flavor or texture to a recipe. I keep a big container of it in my pantry for special baking, but more often than not I like to reach for whole wheat, spelt or other varieties of flours to add to baked goods like my everyday pancake mix.

The trick to working with whole grain flours is having the perfect recipe that’s been tested numerous times and has great flavors as well as the right balance in order for the recipe to come out just right. When I saw Simply Ancient Grains by Maria Speck I was immediately intrigued. She takes working with whole grain flours and grains to a whole new level producing recipes that are not only easy to prepare, but also mouthwatering one after another.

I honestly had a tough time deciding which recipe to make first, so I got the kids in on the act and no big surprise, these Dark Chocolate Spelt Waffles were on their list. They’re perfect for a special Saturday breakfast or even topped with whipped cream for dessert. The recipe makes a good amount, so I got to freeze a bunch for a rainy day.


Dark Chocolate Spelt Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablesoons whole grain spelt flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup turbinado or white sugar
- 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups low fat milk
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 cup chopped 70% dark chocolate
Instructions
- Prepare the batter the night before, or at least 30 minutes ahead. In a large bowl, whisk together the spelt flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk in the oil.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Do not over mix, the batter should be lumpy. Fold in the chopped chocolate.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the waffle iron and grease it with oil or cooking spray. Gently stir the batter if you made it the day before.
- Place the batter, about 1 cup at a time, into the waffle iron and cook about 3-4 minutes, until the waffle is golden and easily lifts from the waffle iron.
- Place the waffles on a cooling rack nestled in a baking sheet in the oven to keep warm if necessary.
- Serve waffles warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, whipped cream, maple syrup, or raspberry sauce.
I use a lot of quinoa, but I need to become more creative. My family eats a lot of the same things over and over again. It’d be nice to get some new ideas on what to do with grains. These waffles look delicious!
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These waffles look tasty, can’t have waffles without the fresh cream on top.
This looks really really interesting.
I’m not really familiar with ancient grains. But I want to learn! I know I like barley. But I’ve never used spelt flour. These waffles look amazing!
I have recently started cooking with spelt flour. No one in the family can taste a difference. It’s great.
These waffles look amazing! Would love a copy of this book!
I love all grains,good 4ur heart
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My favorite grain is barley
I really want a copy of this book!!
I don’t feel like I know much about ancient grains, and would love to learn more!
I love kamut
I love whole grain spelt flour!! Always looking for recipes. Will probably try this with almond milk to make it dairy free.
I’ve borrowed this book from the library but I would love to own it!
This cookbook would be fun! I’m into eikorn right now…
This cookbook looks great! I love cooking with oat flour and having been wanting to try spelt flour!
This recipes looks delicious! Thanks for the chance to win this cookbook.
I want to make this for the cold weather!
I intend to get a ceramic waffle maker very shortly and can’t wait to make this recipe. I am printing it out to add to my growing pile of waffle recipes.
Thanks!
I’ve switched up the typical oatmeal breakfast with millet or barley. Loved both of them for their texture. Can’t wait to try the spelt flour waffles. Thanks!
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i love barley and quinoa!
We love oats and wheat berries!
Amaranth is my favorite.
I tweeted here://twitter.com/karriesmith3/status/686076073327603712
I pinned here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/109564203412014557/
Thanks for the chance to win
Buckwheat is definitely a favorite! We use it most frequently in muffins and pancakes.
Looks delicious.
These look amazing! Yum!
Buckwheat is a great side dish for a holiday or weekday meal, but I’d love to learn other ways to make it. Quinoa is also a great grain, and extremely versatile!
My sister is the one who got me using ancient grains and wheat berries and such, but I’m still pretty limited in how I use ’em. I’d love to learn more!
My favorite grains are oats and buckwheat.
I recently tried spelt berries. It was fun to grind them differently, some for porridge, some for flour, and some to cook whole. I love using different grains, as I love breads and baked good and so good for you! These waffles are a must do!
I’m a big fan of Buckwheat and Quinoa!
Quinoa is our fav!
I shared this in pinterest @yassysanchez
We love Quinoa and Whole Wheat as whole grains. I love trying new recipes to incorporate them into our daily meals. A big thank you too for your recipe having options I appreciate it! I don’t normally have turbinado sugar on hand and while I normally just sub it is reassuring to see white sugar will do just fine. 🙂 Thank you again!
I tweeted it. @yassysanchez
I am cooking more and more nowdays with grains, so I’d love this cookbook!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Farro — at least for today! Loving recipes featuring whole grains. Want to get away from AP. Thank you!
Big spelt fans at our house! Would the flavor change much if I substituted grapeseed oil for the olive oil?
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Weelicious waffles are *always* a hit in our house. I’ll be making these for dinner tonight! Spelt happens to be the favorite grain lately, so it’s fitting. Thank you!
Oats are our favorite grain
These waffles look amazing! Thanks for the recipe.
I shared this on FB. #WeeliciousGiveaways
I pinned this on Pinterest. #WeeliciousGiveaways https://www.pinterest.com/pin/242138917443553344/
I will definitely be trying these. Spelt is our favorite.
They look delicious.
I’d like them right now.
I’m feeling a little faint.
Can’t wait to try this recipe, making up for breakfast tomorrow morning. I use spelt instead of white flour in all of my recipes.
Quinoa is a definite fave at our house, it is very versatile.
Starting to eat healthy this year, we started this new way of eating in Nov of 2015, what a difference it has made on the entire family. This recipe we will try this weekend.
Chocolate for breakfast, yay! These waffles look so delicious! Oats are probably my favorite grain and I also love using white whole wheat flour to bake with.
Looks yummy. My favorite grain is Einkorn wheat, which is the most ancient available grain. Spelt was widely used around the time of Jesus. But Einkorn is an original wheat used thousands of years B.C, and has not been altered. It has higher levels of protein and nutrients than other wheats. And it has only 14 chromosomes, while modern wheat has 42 (less is better, and better for our bodies). I buy Einkorn spaghetti at my local health food market, and would like to start using their flour and whole grains. I hope Simply Ancient Grains has recipes for Einkorn.
This recipe looks great!
I absolutely love quinoa and am always looking for new recipes to try that use it.
Quinoa is a favorite of ours, stir fried with kale!
Quinoa is my favorite grain.
Quinoa!
Our family loves Quinoa.
I’ve always loved barley. It tastes good, it looks good and its a great addition to a variety of dishes.
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Thanks for the giveaway, I have been trying to cook/bake with more wheat.
I like quinoa, but have been hesitant with trying other ancient grains in everyday cooking. Simply Ancient Grains would give me the motivation to try some ancient grains I’ve been afraid to try and give me ideas on ways to use them that I did not know was possible.
We like quinoa and I’d love to learn more ways to use it!
I have always used whole grains but it is still a struggle for my family at times. Would be great to try something new and change their minds for good 🙂
I’ve wanted to read that cookbook!
Our family enjoys whole wheat flour when baking or preparing pancakes and waffles. Can’t wait to try this recipe! Thank you!
I made some bars that had puffed amaranth in them and they were delish! Your apricot millet muffins are also a favorite in our house!
Farro is a favorite, and Freekeh is one I’ve recently discovered and am really liking.
Quinoa is definitely my favorite!
Thank you for sharing so many good recipes.
Quinoa but I haven’t found a lot of recipes to easily expand my favorites!
I would love to give this a try!
Totally making these waffles for me family!!!
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I love millet! Smitten Kitchen’s crackly banana bread is my family’s favorite
My family loves quinoa :)) those waffles look ah-maz-ing!!
Yum! Sounds delicious and healthy!
Those waffles sound amazing! Even if I don’t win the giveaway, I’m going to get this cookbook.
THESE LOOK DELICIOUS. I TWEETED AND SHARED ON FACEBOOK!
I LOVE millet– in morning porridge, ground into flour and used in baked goods, or cooked and used in salads!! I’ve heard that it is the only grain that has an alkalizing affect on the body!
I pinned this
I also shared on FB
i tweeted @stephr669
This book looks awesome I love bulgar, quinoa, etc
We all love quinoa, even my very very picky toddler.
Farro…great in salads!
Tweeted @phenompen
Yum!
Quinoa is wonderful.
I love short grain brown rice, millet and buckwheat.
It’s hard to get my kids to eat anything but white rice….so this would be great!
We love quinoa and barley!
Love quinoa !
Punk rice 🙂 simply ancient grains looks great!
Quinoa and amaranth are our favorites!
Quinoa for sure. Love.
Barley in soup!
Can’t wait to try the recipe.
Quinoa for sure!
We love quinoa. Love to make a large batch and freeze the cooked quinoa to have on hand in a rut!
We are in such a noodle rut. Would be thrilled to learn about new varieties if dishes
We love quinoa! always cook a big batch for the week. Experimenting with new flours since I have a little with a wheat allergy limited success so far but these waffles sure do look promising! Thanks for the inspiration
Also tweeted https://twitter.com/alikesthis/status/685175305615446016
I love that this doesn’t look daunting!
oh wow ! the grand kids are going to love these waffles, thanks for the chance to win !
We cook with bulgur, spelt, and freekeh.
I’ve never tried spelt flour, but I’d love to!
I love quinoa, although my family, alas, does not…
Sounds like a great recipe– tasty and nutritious.. Can the batter be used for pancakes as well if we don’t have a waffle iron?
Would love to win a copy of Ancient Grains! We use a lot of whole wheat pastry flour here!
I love quinoa, barley, wheat berries and farro. I haven’t tried spelt flour yet, but I’m intrigued!
Love this!
I love Teff. It’s a wonderful little super grain that provides great texture as well as a nutty flavor. My mother in law made me the most amazing gf birthday cake with Teff years ago, and I still remember it to this day!
I love farro and quinoa. I always have one or the other in the fridge
I have quite a collection – I love amaranth, millet & buckwheat groats! Never tried spelt flour!
Everyone in my crew loves whole wheat.
We love cooking with ancient grains! This cookbook looks great.
Definitely going to try this! My kids love waffles, and it would be great if I could make them healthier.
Quinoa
Lovely recipe!
I really like barley
Sounds like a great treat for the weekend, can’t wait to try them!
I love quinoa I just wish I could get my kids to love it too.
I’d like to check out this cook!
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Thanks for the great post – and the chance to win!
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I love farro for making salads
We do a lot of quinoa!
Looking forward to trying this recipe, as my kids LOVE waffles….they eat anything wheat and white, but I am trying to rotate in other grains and flours more often.
I can’t wait to try out this waffle recipe! And would love to win this cookbook!
Waffles sound fabulous – would love the cookbook!
Love the healthy recipes! I am going to try them soon.
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I would love to check out these recipes!
I have Maria Speck’s first cookbook and have had my eye on her newest one for a while now. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I make millet banana muffins from smitten kitchen, and they are delicious! These waffles look like a perfect Sunday breakfast – I love make ahead recipes. Thanks for the opportunity to win the cookbook!
I meant spelt flour 🙂
We are a quinoa fan at my household! Never head of speck flour but excited to try a new recipe!
My goal for the new year of course is to cook healthier meals and be more versatile with my meals. I seen to stick to the same ones which isn’t all bad but can get boring especially for my 3 year old.
My boys love waffles. So this recipe will be a great one to try to make. The cookbook looks great. Would love to have a copy. Thank you for giving me a chance at one. We only eat whole grain foods. They are way better for you.