Waffle sandwich maker and method of preparing a food product with the waffle sandwich maker

A waffle sandwich maker comprising:

• a first waffle plate, the first waffle plate being configured to contact a food product during preparation of the food product with the waffle sandwich maker, the first waffle plate including:
• a plurality of protrusions, the plurality of protrusions defining a plurality of channels, wherein the pluralities of protrusions and channels are configured to create depressions and ridges in the food product;
• a male connector having a protrusion;
• and
• at least one spacer extending inward relative to the plurality of protrusions;
• and
• a second waffle plate, the second waffle plate being configured to contact the food product during preparation of the food product with the waffle sandwich maker, the second waffle plate including:
• a plurality of protrusions, the plurality of protrusions defining a plurality of channels, wherein the pluralities of protrusions and channels are configured to create depressions and ridges in the food product;
• a male connector having a protrusion;
• and
• at least one spacer extending inward relative to the plurality of protrusions of the second waffle plate, wherein the at least one spacer of the first waffle plate is configured to contact the at least one spacer of the second waffle plate during preparation of the food product to space the plurality of protrusions of the first waffle plate from the plurality of protrusions of the second waffle plate, wherein the male connector of the first waffle plate is configured to receive the protrusion of the male connector of the second waffle plate when the first waffle plate is stacked on top of the second waffle plate.

A method of preparing a food product with a waffle sandwich maker including first and second waffle plates, with the first waffle plate being configured to contact a food product during preparation of the food product with the waffle sandwich maker and including a plurality of protrusions defining a plurality of channels, wherein the pluralities of protrusions and channels are configured to create depressions and ridges in the food product, and at least one spacer extending inward relative to the plurality of protrusions, wherein the at least one spacer is configured to maintain contact with the second waffle plate throughout preparation of the food product to space the plurality of protrusions of the first waffle plate from the second waffle plate at a constant spacing, wherein the waffle plate includes a female connector having a hole and a male connector having a protrusion, the protrusion of the male connector of the waffle plate is configured to mate with a hole of a female connector of the another waffle plate, the hole of the female connector of the waffle plate is configured to mate with a protrusion of a male connector of the another waffle plate, and the at least one spacer is configured to contact the another waffle plate during preparation of the food product such that the plurality of protrusions of the waffle plate are spaced from a plurality of protrusions of the another waffle plate, the method comprising:

• supporting the food product, including an outer dough enveloping an inner filling, on the first waffle plate;
• coupling the first waffle plate to the second waffle plate whereupon the at least one spacer contacts the second waffle plate such that the plurality of protrusions of the first waffle plate are spaced from the second waffle plate;
• and
• expanding the dough between the first and second waffle plates, thereby creating depressions and ridges in the dough of the food product with the pluralities of protrusions and channels of the first waffle plate while fully encapsulating the inner filling with dough.