French Toast Waffles

Step 1

Cut six ¾"-thick slices Texas toast, Pullman, or other white sandwich bread in half on a diagonal. Place on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let sit at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours to dry out. (Alternatively, if you are in a time crunch, bake in a 275° oven until bread is dry to the touch but has not taken on any color, about 30 minutes.)

Step 2

Preheat oven to 275°. Whisk 6 large eggs, ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, ½ tsp. ground cinnamon, and ¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg in a large bowl to combine. Remove rack with bread from baking sheet and pour in egg mixture. Arrange bread in baking sheet and let soak 5 minutes. Turn bread over and let soak until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Heat a waffle iron on medium-low. Melt 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in a microwave on medium power, in 20-second intervals (or in the smallest saucepan you’ve got over medium heat). Using a pastry brush or balled-up paper towel, brush waffle iron lightly with butter. Add 2 pieces of soaked bread (4 if your iron will allow), close, and cook until steam dissipates and waffles are golden brown, about 4 minutes. Open iron and transfer waffles to a clean rimmed baking sheet; keep warm in the oven while you cook the remaining waffles.

Step 4

Combine ½ cup pure maple syrup and ¼ tsp. kosher salt in a small heatproof bowl. Melt ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter in the same small microwave-safe bowl in a microwave on medium power, in 20-second intervals (or in a small saucepan over medium heat). Gradually pour butter into syrup, whisking constantly until completely incorporated. If mixture does not come together or is too thick (it should look like a light, thin caramel sauce), warm slightly by placing bowl on the warm waffle iron or briefly in the oven, then whisk again.

Step 5

Whisk ½ cup heavy cream and remaining 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup in a medium bowl until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

To serve, divide waffles among plates and drizzle some maple butter over. Top with a dollop of whipped maple cream and chopped pecans or fresh berries (if using).