Waffle iron

Secular waffle irons developed alongside host presses, a similar but religious tool used to produce sacramental bread.

The plates were often made to imprint elaborate patterns on the waffle, including coats of arms, landscapes, or religious symbols.

[10] In 1891 John Kliembach, a German immigrant living in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, became a traveling salesman of waffles after fashioning an iron for the Mansion House Hotel.

Most modern waffle irons are self-contained tabletop household appliances using electric heating elements controlled by internal thermostats.

In the US, the most common criteria for "Belgian waffles" are their thickness and pocket size, although they are also distinguished by using a base that typically includes yeasted batter and pearl sugar.

[12] Stroopwafels are thin, round waffle cookies made from two layers of sweet baked dough held together by caramel filling.

Electric waffle maker.
Waffle iron held over a fire in Pieter Bruegel 's The Fight Between Carnival and Lent , 1559
The oublies baked by this early waffle iron were much thinner and wafer-like than modern-day waffles. [ 2 ]
Host press used to bake sacramental bread inscribed with religious symbols. Host presses like this developed alongside early waffle irons.