Marianne Martinez
Brown edge wafers are light, crisp, and buttery vanilla cookies that are great with tea or coffee. They are simple to make and only require a few basic ingredients. The recipe involves combining flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, and eggs, and then forming the mixture into small balls, which are flattened and cooked for a few minutes. The wafers are baked in the oven until golden brown, and the edges are allowed to brown to create a slightly caramelized taste.
How to brown wafers in a pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven rack position | Top third and bottom third |
| Oven temperature | 350ºF |
| Number of pans | 2 |
| Pan lining | Parchment paper |
| Batter ball size | Teaspoon-sized |
| Number of batter balls per pan | 35 |
| Flattening method | Heel of hand |
| Baking time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooling method | Cooling rack |
| Resting time | 2 hours |
| Batter ball size (alternative) | 3/4" in diameter |
| Space between batter balls | 2" |
| Flattening method (alternative) | Fingers |
| Baking temperature (alternative) | 375ºF |
| Baking time (alternative) | 14 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the oven
Preheating the oven is a crucial step in baking wafers, as it ensures the correct temperature for the dough to bake evenly and achieve the desired browning. Here is a detailed guide on how to preheat your oven for making wafers:
First, adjust your oven racks to create a balanced heat distribution. Place one rack in the top third of the oven and the other in the bottom third. This setup allows for even heating on both sides of the wafers.
Next, set the appropriate temperature. For most wafer recipes, preheat your oven to 350°F. This temperature strikes a balance between browning and cooking the dough thoroughly. However, for certain variations, like brown edge wafers, a higher temperature of 375°F is recommended for that distinct browned edge.
While the oven preheats, prepare your baking sheets or pans. Line them with parchment paper, which not only prevents sticking but also aids in even browning. If you prefer your wafers with thinner brown edges, opt for baking directly on the pan without parchment paper.
The preheating process can take around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven. It's important to ensure that your oven has reached the desired temperature before placing your wafer dough in the oven. Use an oven thermometer to confirm that the set temperature has been reached.
Once preheated, carefully transfer your shaped wafer dough onto the prepared baking sheets or pans. Place them in the oven, allowing sufficient space between each dough portion for even baking and browning. Now, you're ready to let the baking begin!
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Prepare the baking tray
To prepare the baking tray, start by lining your half sheet pans with parchment paper. If you don't have parchment paper, you can bake the wafers directly on the pan. However, it's important to note that if you choose this method, the brown edges of your wafers will be thinner.
Next, prepare your batter. For brown sugar wafers, combine the flour, brown sugar, butter, baking powder, and egg in a bowl. For vanilla wafers, cream the butter and vanilla sugar in a stand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, then add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, followed by the flour mixture. Chill the batter in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before scooping.
Once your batter is ready, scoop it into teaspoon-sized balls and arrange them on the prepared baking tray. Leave enough space between each ball to allow for spreading during baking. For brown sugar wafers, flatten the balls slightly with your palm or the heel of your hand before baking. For vanilla wafers, you can use a pastry bag to pipe 1 1/2-inch diameter rounds onto the tray, leaving about 3 inches between each for spreading.
Now your baking tray is prepared and ready for the oven!
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Make the batter
To make the batter for browning wafers in a pan, you will need a medium-sized mixing bowl, a stand mixer, and a small bowl. Start by sifting together the flour, baking powder, and salt in the small bowl and setting it aside. Then, in the stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl after 1 minute. Add an egg to this mixture and blend for another 30 seconds, before scraping down the sides again. At this point, you can add the vanilla extract and milk and blend on low speed for 15 seconds. Finally, add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until it is just incorporated.
It is important not to overmix the batter, and to chill it in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before scooping and browning the wafers. This will ensure that the batter is the correct consistency and temperature for cooking. If you are making vanilla wafers, you can add vanilla sugar and vanilla extract to the batter for extra flavour.
For brown sugar wafers, simply substitute the regular sugar with brown sugar. You can also add melted butter to the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and egg mixture. Once combined, leave the batter to rest in a cool place for 2 hours.
If you are making brown edge wafers, you will need to use egg whites instead of a whole egg. Whisk the egg whites with sugar until they are combined, and then add the melted butter. This batter should be baked immediately, without any resting or chilling time.
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Shape the wafers
Shaping the wafers is a fun part of the process, as you can get creative with different shapes and sizes. Here is a detailed guide to help you shape your wafers:
Firstly, you will need to prepare your dough. Combine the dry ingredients, such as flour, baking powder, and salt, in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together the wet ingredients, such as butter, sugar, egg, and any flavour extracts. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms. You can adjust the consistency and taste by adding milk or water. Once you have a smooth dough, it's time to shape it.
For classic round wafers, you can use a teaspoon to scoop out portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place these balls on your prepared baking sheet or pan, leaving enough space between them to allow for spreading during baking. Then, gently flatten each ball with the palm of your hand or the heel of your hand. You can also use your fingers to slightly flatten the balls while maintaining a round shape.
If you want to get creative, feel free to experiment with different shapes. You can use a cookie cutter to cut out wafers in various forms, such as hearts, stars, or animals. Simply roll out the dough to your desired thickness (about 1/4 inch is a good starting point) and start cutting out shapes. Remember to adjust your baking time based on the size of your wafers; larger shapes may need a little longer in the oven, while smaller shapes may require a shorter baking time.
For an even simpler approach, you can shape your wafers into rustic-style freeform discs. Divide your dough into equal portions and gently shape them into discs or oval-shaped wafers. You can use your hands to gently flatten and shape the dough, ensuring they are of uniform thickness. This method gives your wafers a charming, handmade appearance.
Finally, if you're feeling adventurous, you can pipe your wafers using a pastry bag. Transfer your batter into the pastry bag and pipe rounds directly onto your prepared pans. This method ensures uniformity in size and shape, resulting in elegant and delicate-looking wafers.
Remember, the key to successful wafer shaping is to ensure your dough is the correct consistency and to give yourself enough space to work with. Don't be afraid to experiment with different shapes and sizes to find the ones that suit your preferences and the occasion. Happy baking!
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Bake until golden brown
Baking your wafers to a golden brown is an art, and it can be tricky to get right. The key is to keep a close eye on them and not let them burn. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect golden brown wafers:
First, prepare your batter. For vanilla wafers, cream the butter and vanilla sugar in a stand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, then add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, and blend. Finally, add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix until just incorporated. For brown sugar wafers, simply combine the flour, brown sugar, butter, baking powder, and egg.
Next, chill your batter in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before scooping. Then, scoop the batter into teaspoon-sized balls and arrange them on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Flatten the balls slightly with your hand or fingers, leaving a space of about 2-3 inches between each one, as they will spread during baking.
Now it's time to bake! Preheat your oven to 350-375°F (depending on the recipe) and place your baking sheets on the middle rack. Bake for 14-20 minutes, checking on them regularly to ensure they don't burn. The wafers are done when they are golden brown and have spread out.
Finally, remove the pans from the oven and let them cool completely on a cooling rack before removing the wafers from the pan. And that's it! You now have perfectly golden brown wafers that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need flour, brown sugar, butter, baking powder, and an egg.
Combine the flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, and egg. Leave the mixture to rest in a cool place for 2 hours.
Make 4 small balls, the size of a plum, and flatten them with your palm.
Place the flattened balls on an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 minutes. Check after 10 minutes and remove from the oven when the edges are brown but not burnt.
