There's something magical about waking up to the smell of warm spices and rich chocolate filling the kitchen. This Festive Chocolate Spice Waffles Recipe brings all that coziness to your breakfast table — perfect for chilly mornings when you want a treat that’s both comforting and a little bit special.

A stack of five thick waffles with a warm brown color sits on a white plate, each waffle layer fluffy with slightly crisp edges. Golden syrup drips down the sides, adding a shiny texture. On top of the waffles stands a small gingerbread man cookie decorated with white icing eyes, buttons, and mouth. Powdered sugar is being sprinkled from above, creating a soft white dust that covers the waffles, cookie, and plate, with some falling in front of the stack. The background shows blurred warm yellow and orange lights with a cozy atmosphere. 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 Chocolate Spice Waffles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Chocolate Spice Waffles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Chocolate Spice Waffles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Festive mornings get a serious upgrade with these waffles! I adore how they blend the rich, deep flavor of cacao with a cozy Christmas spice that’s subtle but unmistakable. Plus, they’re just plain fun to make — and a total crowd-pleaser at holiday breakfasts.

Perfect Holiday Flavor: The Christmas spice mix adds a festive warmth that’s balanced by the richness of cacao, making every bite a seasonal celebration.
Fluffy but Crispy Texture: Thanks to the baking powder, baking soda, and buttermilk combo, these waffles get golden crisp edges but stay nicely fluffy inside.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: No fancy pantry items here — just good basics like flour, eggs, honey, and a touch of dark rum if you’re feeling festive.
Make Ahead Friendly: These waffles freeze beautifully, so you can stock up and have a quick festive breakfast anytime.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Festive Chocolate Spice Waffles Recipe has a purpose and brings something special to the mix. The balance of spices and chocolate is the star, but I love the way buttermilk and baking soda interact to keep the waffles tender yet crisp.

Flat lay of a small mound of gluten-free flour mix on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl of reddish-brown Christmas spice powder, a small white ceramic bowl of dark brown cacao powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of pale beige baking soda, two whole brown eggs with clean shells resting side by side, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl containing melted butter with a glossy surface, a small white ceramic bowl with amber-colored vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse sea salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl of dark amber rum, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy buttermilk, and a small white ceramic bowl with light golden avocado oil, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed 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 blend — it’s a reliable choice that keeps the texture spot-on and accessible for guests with sensitivities.
Christmas Spice (or gingerbread spice): This blend is your festive flavor bomb, usually a mix of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. It’s what makes these waffles smell and taste like the holidays.
Cacao Powder: Choose unsweetened cacao to get that deep chocolate flavor without overwhelming sweetness.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Together, they give these waffles the lift and lovely crumb.
Eggs: Vital for structure and richness.
Honey (or maple syrup): Adds natural sweetness and a hint of floral notes.
Melted Unsalted Butter: Brings buttery flavor and keeps the batter moist.
Vanilla Extract: Just a little to brighten up the chocolate and spices.
Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Dark Rum (optional): This little optional addition adds warm complexity — totally worth it for a festive touch.
Buttermilk: Key to tender waffles and activates the baking soda for the perfect texture; vegan versions can be made by mixing plant milk with lemon juice or vinegar.
Cooking Oil Spray: I use avocado oil spray — it helps create crisp edges without fussing around with brushes.

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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

I love customizing this recipe depending on the occasion. Sometimes I swap the honey for maple syrup to add a woodsy sweetness, or I leave out the rum if I’m making it for kids. Feel free to adjust the spice level — adding a pinch more cinnamon or a dash of cayenne can totally change the vibe!

Variation: One holiday, I mixed in some finely chopped crystallized ginger — it was a game-changer with an extra zing that paired beautifully with the chocolate.
Vegan modification: Use non-dairy milk (like almond or oat) plus a tablespoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to replace buttermilk. Swap out the eggs for flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoon water per egg).
Gluten-Free: Using Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1:1 flour mix keeps these waffles fluffy and tender without any gritty texture.

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

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, Christmas spice, cacao powder, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. This helps distribute the leavening agents and spices evenly, so your waffles bake consistently — no surprises here!

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. Getting these combined first means your sweetness and richness are perfectly blended before adding the dry stuff.

Step 3: Add the Buttermilk

Pour in the buttermilk and whisk again until smooth. The tangy liquid not only adds flavor but activates baking soda for those fluffy waffles you’re aiming for.

Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry - But Don’t Overmix

Now, fold the dry ingredients into the wet in two batches, whisking just enough to combine everything. You’ll notice some lumps — that’s perfect! Overmixing can make waffles tough, and we don’t want that.

Step 5: Heat Your Waffle Iron & Cook

Preheat your waffle iron to medium heat and give it a light spray with cooking oil. Spoon about ¼ cup of batter (adjust based on your iron size) and cook for 3-5 minutes until the waffles are nice and golden. I like to keep cooked waffles warm in a 200°F oven on a baking sheet so they stay crispy while I finish the batch.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that keeping your waffle iron oiled between batches is a game-changer. It prevents sticking and helps build those golden edges that make waffles extra irresistible.

Preheat Properly: Make sure your waffle iron is hot enough before starting — a medium heat usually works best. A too-cool iron results in soggy waffles.
Careful Mixing: The batter should be lumpy, not smooth. It's tempting to stir more, but those lumps are your friends for fluffy texture.
Oil Between Batches: Spray or brush oil as you go to prevent sticking and keep the surface slick for perfect waffles every time.
Keep Warm: Use a low oven to keep waffles crispy while you finish cooking the batch — no one likes soggy waffles!

How to Serve Festive Chocolate Spice Waffles Recipe

A stack of four thick, golden-brown waffles sits on a white plate with syrup drizzled down the sides, creating shiny amber streams. On top, a small gingerbread man cookie lightly dusted with powdered sugar stands upright, also dusted with powdered sugar, adding a soft white contrast to the warm tones. The background is softly blurred with warm yellow fairy lights and holiday decorations, and the surface under the plate is white marbled with a light dusting of powdered sugar around the base. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

My go-to toppings usually include a dollop of Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for creaminess, a spoonful of almond or peanut butter for richness, and fresh or frozen berries for a bright pop of flavor. Dust them lightly with powdered sugar or add a drizzle of maple syrup to make your plate look irresistible.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these waffles with a warm cup of spiced chai or coffee and a simple side of roasted pears or apple slices sautéed in cinnamon — it really brings the whole festive vibe to life.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday brunches, I sometimes stack the waffles like a mini tower, layering them with whipped cream and berries in between. Another fun idea is to turn them into waffle sandwiches filled with mascarpone and blackberry jam — trust me, the contrast is delightful!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftover waffles tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh for about 2-3 days without losing that lovely texture.

Freezing

Freezing works wonders for these waffles! Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want one, toast it straight from frozen for a quick holiday breakfast fix.

Reheating

For reheating, pop them in a toaster or toaster oven — this revives the crisp edges better than a microwave, where they can turn soggy fast. If you need to reheat lots at once, a warm oven works too.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Festive Chocolate Spice Waffles Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Just swap the buttermilk with a vegan version (mix 2 cups unsweetened plant milk with 2 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes). Replace butter with a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) to keep the texture similar.

What’s the best way to store leftover waffles?

I recommend wrapping each waffle individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Refrigerate if you plan to eat them within 2-3 days, or freeze for longer storage. Reheat in a toaster or oven to keep them crisp.

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of cacao powder?

You can, but cacao powder is less processed and has a more complex, slightly fruity flavor compared to regular cocoa powder. If you use regular cocoa, your waffles will still be delicious, but you might miss some of the depth that cacao provides.

Is the dark rum necessary in this recipe?

Not at all! The dark rum is an optional ingredient that adds warm complexity, but the waffles are just as tasty without it, so feel free to skip it if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Chocolate Spice Waffles Recipe holds such a special place in my holiday mornings. It’s like having a warm little celebration on a plate, every single time. I truly hope you give it a go — whether it’s a lazy weekend treat or part of a big holiday brunch, these waffles will bring joy to your kitchen and smiles all around.