I did not wake up planning to stuff Nutella inside waffles. It was one of those regular mornings where everyone was hungry at the same time and patience was low. Nico, who is seven, wanted something “better than cereal.” Anthony, five, wanted chocolate. Rex was already on his second cup of coffee and staying out of it, which honestly was smart.
The idea came from a recipe I bookmarked on the Glamour Girl Gourmet blog the night before. I was scrolling on my phone, half paying attention, and thought, that looks doable. Not fancy, not dramatic. Just waffles with Nutella inside. I figured if it went wrong, we would still eat it.
I pulled out the waffle maker, which always feels like more effort than I remember. The boys argued about whose turn it was to help. The cats showed up because they always assume food prep means something for them. I mixed the batter slowly, double checking I was not forgetting anything. Nothing wild. Just basic waffle batter. I opened the Nutella jar and set it aside, reminding Anthony not to stick his finger in it. He did anyway.
The recipe said to pour batter, add a spoon of Nutella, then cover it with more batter. That part made me pause. I was worried it would leak everywhere or burn. I went light with the Nutella, because experience has taught me that too much of anything turns into a mess. I closed the waffle maker and waited. The kitchen sounded normal. No sizzling drama. No smoke. Just the usual hum of a morning with kids.
When I opened it, I felt relieved. The waffle looked like a regular waffle. Nothing exploding, nothing stuck. I cut into it and saw the Nutella in the middle, warm but not dripping everywhere. Nico took a bite and nodded like he was judging a cooking show. Anthony immediately asked for another one before finishing his first bite. Rex raised his eyebrows, which is his version of praise.
What I liked was how normal it felt. This was not one of those recipes that looks cute online but falls apart in real life. The waffle stayed crisp. The filling stayed where it was supposed to. I did not need a dozen tools or a special technique. Just paying attention and not rushing too much.
I noticed these waffles were filling. One was plenty. The boys shared another, which never happens unless the food is good. I sat down with my own plate and ate while standing at the counter, which is just how mornings go here. The Nutella added sweetness without being too much. It felt like a treat without feeling like I had completely given up on breakfast.
Cleanup was predictable. Sticky plates. Nutella fingerprints on the counter. Anthony needed his hands washed twice. The cats lost interest once they realized this was not for them. Rex suggested we save this for weekends, which I took as a compliment.
I learned a few things fast. You really do not need a lot of Nutella. A small spoonful works best. Waiting an extra minute before opening the waffle maker helps keep everything together. And kids will absolutely ask for this again once you make it once.
Now the boys bring it up randomly. Nico asks if we can do “those waffles with the stuff inside.” Anthony just says chocolate waffles. I know I will make them again, probably on a morning when I am tired and want an easy win.
That is what I liked most about this. It felt realistic. No perfection, no fancy setup. Just a simple idea that actually worked in a busy kitchen with kids talking over each other and cats underfoot. And honestly, that is the kind of recipe I keep.