Before you start, whip up the whipped topping if making. In a bowl, add the cream cheese and cream it on high speed for about 30 seconds. add the heavy cream and the rest of the ingredients for filling and whip on high speed until the cream becomes more thick, about a minute. refrigerate.
preheat waffle maker according to instructions that come with it
in bowl of stand mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar on high speed for 2 minutes, until the eggs look nearly white and are fluffy
add the milk, oil and vanilla extract and whisk until combined
sift all of the dry ingredients right on top of the bowl containing the egg mixture, like I do in video, and fold or whisk gently until just combined.
you can let the batter rest for 10 minutes like I do or you can make the waffles right away. I feel that letting it rest adds to the fluffiness
spray your waffle iron with cooking spray and spoon out your batter. I used a 3 tbsp cookie scoop and each waffle pocket help about 6 tbsp's of batter meaning that I had to pour batter twice using that 3 tbsp cookie scoop, in each pocket. See video
close your waffle make and let the waffle cook for about 4-5 minutes. It takes 5 minutes on my appliance. You usually know its done when the steam coming out of the waffle maker diminishes
once done, scoop out the whipped cream topping on top of the waffles, if using and pour maple syrup. I also sprinkled some crushed pecans.