Preheat your waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions. Lightly brush or spray the waffle iron with vegetable oil or nonstick spray so waffles won't stick.

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs briefly, then add the whole milk, melted butter (cooled slightly), and vanilla extract. Whisk until blended.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy; do not overmix to keep waffles tender. If batter seems too thick, add up to 2 tablespoons milk to reach pourable consistency.

Cooking waffles

Once the waffle iron is fully heated, pour an appropriate amount of batter onto the center of the iron (amount depends on your iron size—about 1/2 to 3/4 cup for a standard iron). Close the lid and cook until waffles are golden brown and crisp, about 3–5 minutes depending on your iron. Follow your iron's indicator if it has one.

Carefully remove the finished waffle and transfer to a wire rack set in a warm oven (200°F / 95°C) to keep crisp while you cook the remaining batter. Repeat with remaining batter, re-oiling the iron as needed.

Fruit topping

While waffles cook, prepare the fruit topping. In a medium bowl combine the quartered strawberries, blueberries, and sliced banana.

Add the lemon juice and honey or maple syrup to the fruit. Gently toss to coat — the lemon brightens the fruit and the sweetener draws out a little syrup to create a juicy topping. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired.

Finishes & serving

Place a warm waffle on each plate. Spoon a generous portion of the fruity topping over the waffle.

Dust with powdered sugar, add a dollop of whipped cream if using, and serve with maple syrup on the side for those who want extra sweetness.

Serve immediately while waffles are hot and crisp. Leftover waffles can be cooled completely, wrapped, and frozen; reheat in a toaster or oven until warm and crisp.