Æbleskiver - A Round Danish Puffy Pancake


I purchased an Æbleskiver pan for myself about four years ago.  It has been living in its box tucked away in a cupboard since then.  What is the reason for that?  I think I have been over-thinking it.. I am not sure...but I had even bought a cookbook dedicated to these little, round, puffy pancakes. So why not make them? Who knows?....but, I have stopped procrastinating!  I madÆbleskiver because it was time to "just do it" and it is Secret Recipe Club time...and Sid at Sid's Sea Palm Cooking made it sound so easy.

Just what are Æbleskiver?  Well, they originated in Denmark and are the cutest little round, puffy pancakes ever.  As I explored, I learned that the word comes from Æbleskive which means apple slice.  In the middle ages apple slices were dipped in batter and fried...and things evolved from there.  

There is also the story of the Vikings who had been hard hit in battle. Upon returning to their ship, they were quite hungry so they greased their dented horn helmets and shields to use as pans, placed the "pans" over the fire and made pancakes....thus the birth of the Æbleskiver.  Whichever story you wish to believe there is one thing for certain:  Æbleskiver have long been a traditional breakfast or treat in Danish cuisine.

Æbleskiver are frequently served during the holidays and at special celebrations.  They can be filled with any number of delicious sweet treats: such as apples, cherries, curds or jams.  Traditionally sprinkled with powdered sugar and accompanied with raspberry jam this sweet treat is always welcomed by young and old alike.  I should mention that there are also savory Æbleskiver....but not for me. Today, sweet it is...I waited a long time to break out the pan!


Æbleskiver

2 cups buttermilk
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar
4 eggs, separated
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 stick butter, melted for the pan
Raspberry jam
Confectioner's Sugar

Preparing the Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sugar and salt.  

Using a whisk, mix the egg yolks together.  Then stir in the buttermilk, melted butter (3 Tbsp), and vanilla.

Stir the wet mixture with the dry ingredients.  Stir until blended.  The batter will be lumpy.  Set aside.

Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff, but not dry. When the beaters are lifted, the whites should hold a firm peak. 

Using a spatula, fold about a third of the whites into the batter.  Cut through the center and pull the spatula up the side and over the top, gently incorporating the two mixtures.  Turn the bowl a quarter turn and repeat until all the whites have been incorporated.

Use the batter right away.

Cooking the Æbleskiver

Equipment:  Æbleskiver pan, 2 wooden skewers, pastry brush

Using a pastry brush, coat the wells of the pan with melted butter and place over a medium heat. When little bubbles form in the pan, it is heated.  Add 1 to 3 tablespoons of batter to each well using two spoons (one to scoop and one to scrape).  (I used an 1/8 cup measure.)

If you are adding filling, this is the spot!  Spoon 1 teaspoon of the desired filling into the center of each pancake.  Add 1 tablespoon of batter on top of the filling to enclose it.

Cook the first side until bubbles rise from the center of the pancake and they are lightly browned on the bottom....usually start turning after you have completed putting the filling in the last pancake. (About 3 minutes)

Flip the pancakes!  Position 2 short wooden skewers on opposite sides of the pancake, slide the tips between the edge of the well and the cooked edge, and lift and rotate gently.  Repeat with each pancake.  Batter may flow from the middle to the bottom of the well.  That is okay, it will cook and adhere to the pancake.

Cook the pancakes until lightly browned on the second side, about 3 minutes longer.  They should have a nice spherical shape, at this point.  Use the skewers to transfer the pancakes to a plate.

Dust the pancakes with confectioner's sugar and serve with a bit of raspberry jam.

PRINTABLE RECIPE



These are the tastiest little guys....I was only going to eat one...which became two and then three....they are small you see.  The remainder of the Æbleskiver went on the road!



While I have had the equipment to make the Æbleskiver for ages, I just lacked the motivation. That is, like I mentioned, until I was assigned Sid's Sea Palm Cooking this month for Secret Recipe Club.  Sid says that she loves to cook...not only cook but experiment with new ideas.  Brave lady! She hosts a monthly Tapas Night where everybody brings an appetizer to share.  She also participates in a monthly Boat Club potluck!  Sid has lots of fun entertaining and cooking.  

I had thought about making one of the tapa recipes....maybe Meatballs in Grape Chili Sauce or maybe the whimsical Bologna Cake...no, that was too over the edge for me...  Sid does love to have a good time....  When I looked at breakfast items, I saw it, Æbleskiver!  I did not need to look any farther, I had all of the required equipment and she made it sound so easy....and I should challenge myself! Right?

Making Æbleskiver was the right decision!  I had so much fun playing in the kitchen.  I can hardly wait to make these again!!





Comments

  1. I've always wanted one of those pans! What a great pick. Thanks for sharing with the SRC.

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  2. Thanks for the kind words, now I want to break my pans out again and make some. It's time for Æbleskiver again. By the way, these do freeze beautifully, if you put them in a single layer on a cookie sheet, then reheat them later.

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  3. I have the pan too..time to get it out..:)

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  4. One of those pans is on my wish list. This recipe makes me really want to go out and buy one right now! Great SRC choice!

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  5. Hi Kate,
    I just love these little pancakes, I need to get me a pan so I can make this recipe, it looks delicious. Great choice for SRC!
    Miz Helen

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  6. These are so cool. I've always wanted an Æbleskiver pan, but never got around to actually purchasing one.
    Sam

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  7. These look good--but do you think I could make a version in a muffin tin? There's no way I can fit another special pan in my cupboards...

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    Replies
    1. I am not too certain that you would get the result you would like. Turning a square could make it turn into a flat one! If you try it, let me know how they turn out.

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  8. How awesome that this gave you the motivation you needed to test out that pan! :) And the results look absolutely awesome - I would imagine I'd have trouble stopping at just one, too!

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  9. I just made ebelskiver for the first time this weekend (though I have a takoyaki pan and not an ebelskive, so the holes bit sized). Great SRC post. Glad you found the motivation

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  10. A cool story and some really delicious looking able skivers! Superb pick!

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  11. Those look like some awesome, puffy, fluffy, delicious treats!

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  12. I have always wanted to try these! They look super cute and yummy. :)

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  13. I have the pan too! I've made them a couple of times but always forget about them. Yours look beautiful. Visiting from SRC.

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  14. Kate, I haven't heard of this pan or recipe but it does look so fantastic! I'm craving one now!

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  15. This is so timely for me. I just returned from Solvang and had my first AEbleskiver ever. It was delicious and I was hoping to recreate them at home. Now I just need to find that pan. Should have bought one when I was in Calif. Thanks for sharing.

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