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Whenever I crave cozy food or want to wow friends at dinner, I reach for this bold maple brisket grilled cheese. Brisket goes super soft and cheesy, and there’s just enough maple sweetness sandwiched between golden bread and crisp waffles. You’ll blink and the whole batch will be gone. This is pure comfort for any weekend mood.
I put this together after a long, snowy sled adventure for my crew. It turned into our new family favorite. The leftovers barely survived the next day!
Dreamy Ingredients
- Cheddar cheese: two cups, shredded, go for extra sharp for the best melt and taste
- Butter: spread generously on bread to get that crisp golden crust and big flavor—pick a really good one if you can
- Pure maple syrup: half a cup for that deep caramel sweetness, always use the real deal not pancake syrup
- Waffles: four, toasted until nicely crispy—brings a playful crunch to all that melty center
- Bread: eight sturdy slices like brioche or sourdough so it doesn’t fall apart with all that stuffing
- Brisket: a pound with marbling for max juiciness and flavor—let the fat lines guide you!
Simple Step Guide
- Get the Waffles Ready:
- Pop waffles in your oven or toaster to make them hot and crunchy while you grill up the sandwiches
- Toast Grilled Cheese:
- Once your sandwiches are built, cook them in a skillet over medium until the bread turns golden brown and crispy. Flip them so the other side gets just as melty and browned. Don’t rush it!
- Make the Sandwich Stack:
- Top a buttered bread slice (butter side down in the pan) with a heap of cheddar and a good pile of shredded brisket, then finish with another bread slice (butter side up)
- Shred Brisket:
- Shred up the brisket in the slow cooker with two forks—this mixes the juices into each bite
- Layer the Wafflewiches:
- Press every grilled cheese between two hot waffles. Squeeze gently so everything stays together, then pass around while they're still piping hot
- Cook the Brisket:
- Brisket goes in the slow cooker with maple syrup poured all over. Let it cook low and slow for about eight hours, until it pulls apart super easy
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When the maple syrup caramelizes on the brisket, it forms this awesome sweet crispy edge. My kids now call it magic meat and I can’t really disagree!
Storage Knowhow
Pop leftover brisket into an airtight container and it'll last about three days. To avoid soggy bread, store cheese toasties and waffles separately. When you're hungry again, just rewarm the brisket on the stove, put together a fresh sandwich, and crisp some new waffles right before eating.
Swap It Up
Switch up the cheese—smoked gouda or pepper jack both bring major flavor. If you’ve got roast beef or some pulled pork in the fridge, those go great too. For the bread, brioche or Texas toast turn this into a super soft, rich treat. Gluten free bread and waffles totally work!
Good Serving Ideas
Slice these big sandwiches up into quarters or halves for a party snack board. They’re awesome next to a little green salad or hot tomato soup. Try adding scrambled eggs or hash browns for a breakfast spin.
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Fun Backstory
Sweet maple brisket with melty cheese is my playful version of diner comfort food. Using waffles as the bread is a big wink to Southern brunch vibes. This combo seriously turns any meal into something fun and special.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → How long will the brisket take in the slow cooker?
Set your slow cooker on low for around 8 hours. When the brisket pulls apart with forks, it's good to go.
- → Can I swap cheddar out for another type of cheese?
Absolutely, grab a cheese like gouda, mozzarella, or Swiss—whatever gooey cheese you love works well here.
- → Could I use store-bought brisket in this meal?
If you're short on time, grab some pre-cooked brisket. Warm it with maple syrup for fast prep, though making it yourself packs in way more flavor.
- → Why add waffles to these sandwiches anyway?
Waffles bring a fun crunch and a little sweetness that make the brisket and cheese combo even better.
- → Can I put these together in advance and reheat them?
Put the sandwiches together and grill them right before eating for the best texture, but go ahead and prep the brisket early if you want.