The history of the waffle iron is closely linked to the development of waffles themselves in Europe.
The first waffle irons appeared in the Middle Ages, around the 12th–13th centuries. They were heavy, wrought iron pans with long handles that were held over an open fire. The pan consisted of two plates with engraved patterns that pressed onto the surface of the waffle during baking.
Initially, the patterns were not only decorative – they depicted coats of arms, religious symbols, flowers, animals or family signs. In many European countries, such pans were passed down from generation to generation as a valuable household item.
In the 17th–19th centuries, cast-iron waffle irons became an integral part of rural kitchens. They were used both in everyday life and on holidays. Each region developed its own waffle shapes – thin and crispy in Northern Europe, thicker and more airy in Belgium.
At the beginning of the 20th century, with the arrival of electricity in households, the first electric waffle irons were created. They made baking much easier, provided a uniform temperature and made waffles an easy-to-make everyday delicacy.
Today, old cast iron waffle irons have become the pride of collectors and museums. They tell not only about cooking, but also about craftsmanship, metalworking skills and family traditions. Many historic irons can still bake waffles in the same way they did centuries ago, preserving their authentic taste and characteristic ornamentation.
Hunger pancake are a simple dish that originated in times of scarcity, when the farm lacked milk, eggs, or other common products. In Latvia, they were especially often prepared during the war years and the post-war period, when food was limited.
Usually, the dough for pancake pancakes was made from:
* flour,
* water,
* a pinch of salt,
* sometimes a little sugar or soda was added.
If available, grated potato, carrot, pumpkin, or sour milk was added to the dough to make the pancakes more filling and tasty. They were baked in a cast-iron pan in fat or, if there was no fat, they were spread with a very thin layer of lard.
In some places, potato pancakes were also called Hunger pancakes, which contained very little flour, because potatoes were often more available than grains.
Although the name sounds harsh, these pancakes reflect people’s ingenuity and skill in preparing a hot meal from what was available at home. Nowadays, they are often baked deliberately – as part of culinary heritage, to remember the everyday life and thrift wisdom of our ancestors.
