Cooking Through Cultures: Danish Ebelskivers

Several years ago my sister-in-law gifted us an ebelskiver pan for Christmas. We had never heard of ebelskivers before — but we are always up for a sweet challenge!

What are Ebelskivers?

Ebelskivers (or Aebleskivers) are a type of Danish pancake cooked in a special pan that is placed on the stove-top with several half-spherical molds. The center is soft and fluffy and the crust is crisp and browned and so delicious. In Denmark, ebelskivers are traditionally served in threes, covered in powdered sugar, and topped or filled with jams made from Nordic berries..

My girls describe them as light, puffy pancakes or donuts that are filled with fruit, chocolate (Nutella or chocolate chips), jam, or simply plain and served for breakfast. Though you can also fill them with cheese or ham and make a savory appetizer or small dinner. The name literally means “apple slices” in Danish so apple compote would be delicious too.

Ebelskiver Folklore

I recently discovered some fun folklore about these little treats that says ebelskivers were created by Vikings after a long day of battle. As the tired men gathered around the evening fire, one of them prepared a batter for pancakes. But alas, the pancake griddle had been misplaced! A quick-thinking Viking decided his dented shield would do and placed it on the fire to heat. As the batter was poured onto the hot shield, it settled into the dents. The result was the inaugural batch of ebelskivers. I love the idea of all of these burly, bearded Vikings cooking little donuts over a fire! Coincidentally, my husband Brad is our master ebelskiver-maker and is often bearded, so maybe that’s why I adore the image!

These days, we make them regularly — usually as a leisurely and special weekend breakfast. We use chopsticks or a fork to flip them in the pan and they are devoured warm…and instantly! They are traditionally made around Christmas but we enjoy them year round.

Ebelskiver Recipe

Here’s a recipe we use originally from Serious Eats, but you can google lots of varieties and the special ebelskiver pan typically comes with a traditional recipe too!

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Lingonberry Jam (or nutella, or lemon curd, cheese, apple compote, etc.)
• powdered sugar, for serving

Directions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, milk, and 2 tablespoons melted butter until combined. Stir in dry ingredients. Mixture should be lumpy—do not overmix.

2. In a small bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer or whisk until stiff but not dry peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold egg whites into batter.

3. Put ebelskiver pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 teaspoon butter to each well of the mold and, when bubbling, add 1 tablespoon of batter. Top each well with 1 teaspoon of jam (or filling of your choice), then top with another 1 tablespoon batter. Let ebelskivers cook until bottoms are golden, about 4 minutes, then flip and continue to cook until tops are also golden, 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. Repeat with rest of batter, then serve immediately with powdered sugar on top.

Here’s another favorite Scandinavian breakfast recipe for waffles, and our traditional Christmas Morning French Toast Casserole which is also heavenly year round!