Sweet Heart Waffles with Mascarpone & Cherry Compote

Cherry Compote:

• 2 cups sweet cherries, fresh or frozen, pitted and de-stemmed
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup sugar

Waffles:

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm whole milk
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Serving:

• Mascarpone cheese

Cherry Compote:

Cook ingredients together in a pot over medium-high heat until it boils. Reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until reduced by half.

Heart Waffles:

Whisk yeast with milk and sugar in a large bowl until dissolved. Let sit for 3-5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and let rise in a warm location for 15 minutes to an hour. Pre-heat Sweetheart Waffle pan on medium heat. Brush hot pan with canola oil or butter, using a pastry brush to coat all surfaces. Add about 1 cup of batter, spreading to fill all corners of heart design. Cook on one side for 3-5 minutes then flip and cook another 3 minutes or until done.

Assembly:

Take a waffle and top with a dollop of mascarpone and cherry compote. You may also mix a small serving of the mascarpone and cherry compote until combined, and then add to the top of a waffle as a colorful alternative.