Æbleskiver : Danish Pancakes
(My first attempts—deformed æbleskiver…)
Have you had Æbleskiver (pronounced EB-el-sku-wyr)? They are yummy and delicious, cute and round Danish Pancakes that can be eaten with syrup, like pancakes, or filled with anything from fruit to cream, or even Nutella! I imagine some savory combinations too – like apples and cheddar, perhaps?
I heard about them several years ago, but saw them being cooked for the first time in San Francisco, this past November, at the Foodbuzz Food Bloggers Festival. That is where I met Chad Gillard, co-owner of Aunt Else’s Æbleskiver. He was there in the afternoon’s tasting pavilion as part of the Foodzie crew, demonstrating how to make æbleskiver using Aunt Else’s Æbleskiver Mix which is made with organic, Minnesota grown wheat & organic buttermilk from Wisconsin and using Aunt Else’s high quality, locally made 9-hole cast iron æbleskiver pan. I was really intrigued and got in touch with Chad after the festival to see if he wanted to do a giveaway on Foodieblogroll.com, so we could start an Æbleskiver Revolution in the Food Blogging world! So that is how I came to be a lucky recipient of an æbleskiver pan and Aunt Else’s mix at no charge for hosting the giveaway.
I decided that my maiden attempt to make æbleskiver would be over Thanksgiving, while my family was visiting. I wanted everyone to have a chance to taste these little darlings, and I was excited to offer something unique for breakfast. I had prepared the cast iron pan the night before so it was all set. When it was time, I used coconut oil to prepare the pan for cooking. Making the mix was easy – just add eggs and water and you are ready to go! Just like pancakes, the first few batches didn’t really look as round and cute as Chad’s did at the festival – but then again, I comforted myself in that knowledge that he is a professional! I was about to get discouraged, but then the batches started coming out great! It is fun to make æbleskiver, after you pour the batter in, you turn them several quarter turns using a metal implement that comes with the kit. Back in the day, the Danes would use a knitting needle – but I suppose you could also use a chopstick!
I decided to make a simple version – just plain and sprinkled with powdered sugar! Powdered sugar makes everything look pretty – even my deformed æbleskiver! I served them with maple syrup for dipping.
(Practice makes perfect….)
I really love Aunt Else’s stuff, especially the fact that they are a small company making their product locally, and using local and organic ingredients in their mix. That is something I feel really good about supporting. For your chance to win your own Æbleskiver Kit, check out Aunt Else’s Contest Page on The Foodie Blogroll. Mange tak, Chad and Aunt Else’s!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is - January 6, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I have never made them, but have always wanted to. Yours look delish.
Rosa - January 6, 2010 at 12:25 pm
They must be wonderful! Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
Estela @ Weekly Bite - January 6, 2010 at 12:34 pm
These looks so good! I’ve never heard of them before!
Happy Cook - January 6, 2010 at 1:09 pm
In india we make a traditional sweet like this too. I don’t have a pan here. But I have seen them here in thshops. They looks so so yumm. yeah practise makes indeed perfect.
kat - January 6, 2010 at 1:15 pm
I’m so lucky because Aunt Else’s is local to Minneapolis & I get to eat their delicious treats at the farmer’s market, though it would be fun to try some at home
Bob - January 6, 2010 at 1:16 pm
I’ve been dying to try those, but I just don’t have the room for another specialty pan in my tiny apartment. Someday…
Looks like you picked up the trick pretty quick! Hey, that rhymed.
sippitysup - January 6, 2010 at 2:49 pm
I have nver made these but i order me a couple every Sunday at the Hollywood Farmers Market. I’m inspired! GREG
Juliana - January 6, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Wow, your Danish pancakes look like donuts…yummie, could eat one of these right now 🙂
bellini valli - January 6, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I remember these from the Foodbuzz Festival Jenn. When in San Francisco I went to Williams and Sonoma and saw Ebelskiver pans with tons of recipe variations….I am sure they must have them here too…
Kris - January 6, 2010 at 4:58 pm
very interesting! I’ll have to give these a try!
ValleyWriter - January 6, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Mmm, mmm, mmm – these look fabulous! Can’t wait to try them when we visit you in VT *later THIS year*!!!
dawn - January 6, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I am half Danish so it goes without saying that I love these (and real Danishes too).
I think you did an awesome job. 🙂
Rhonda Daniels - January 6, 2010 at 6:56 pm
How much fun to see you trying these! Although I have never used a mix, these little gems are a family tradition at our house every Christmas morning.
My grandmother used to make them and now my grown daughters have their own pans. I still use my Grandmother’s old cast iron pan.
Try putting a tiny bit of apple (the ‘Aeble; part of the equation) or a teaspoon of apple butter in the center of each one before flipping them. Yum!
lo - January 6, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Oh, they really do look wonderful! Now, to find a local friend with an æbleskiver pan! 🙂
Peter G - January 6, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Delicious Jenn! Perfect with breakfast and a nice cup of strong coffee!
Toontz - January 6, 2010 at 8:18 pm
I have to win one of those pans! How fun!
The Duo Dishes - January 6, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Oooh, our first attempt was a hot mess! The second attempt was a charm. They are so good too. You have to try filling them next time. So gooooood! 🙂
Adam - January 6, 2010 at 9:24 pm
So that’s how you say it? It sounds like an old sword from the Middle Ages or a video game 🙂
Practice does make perfect though. The touch of sugar is exactly what it needs 🙂
Joan Nova - January 6, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I’m not familiar with these — and I totally missed them at the Festival, but I am intrigued. They look delicious and fun.
Jen of a2eatwrite - January 6, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Love abelskivver. I was introduced to them the year we had our Danish son – fabulous! They are delicious.
suzanne - January 6, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Actually they look delish 🙂 And they look fun to cook as well, the possibilities are endless!!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie - January 7, 2010 at 1:07 am
Yum! I’ve always wanted to make these! They look absolutely scrumptious!
Johanna - January 7, 2010 at 1:39 am
what a great breakfast treat – we have similar ones in Australia called poffertjes – they are at every festival and gathering of food vans and always very tempting – do they cook on the stovetop – I have no idea how to make them with the irons but would love to
Toni - January 7, 2010 at 2:09 am
These look so adorable, who wouldn’t want to try them? I know I’ve eaten something like this, but I can’t remember when or what they were called. But they were cute and round and had apples in them.
Jenn - January 7, 2010 at 2:13 am
Nice job for your first try. I’ve always been interested in those since i saw them on an episode of “the Best thing I’ve ever eat”. That was the first I’ve heard of it, too. Little balls of pancakes. I really want to try some now.
HoneyB - January 7, 2010 at 8:41 am
I am sure I would love them…..especially with the nutella!
dhanggit - January 7, 2010 at 8:50 am
my god they look so tempting!! happy new year to you and your family!! more delicious treats to us!
Natashya - January 7, 2010 at 10:25 am
Delish! Love a new toy.
I have an abelskiver pan too, I really should use it more often. They are such fun!
Alta - January 7, 2010 at 11:38 am
I would so love to try these. Gotta 1)get the pan and 2)figure out a gluten-free version of these babies!
cookeaze - January 7, 2010 at 11:51 am
Great one and every new Year i try something new and i wanted to try something new for this time too to treat my family and friends with. This will be a real treat!Thanks for sharing!
Arlene (MOM) - January 7, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Thanks for the memory. I am thinking next time up, we need to get that pan back out and make us a big batch of those tasty little morsels. It was fun to watch you labor over those little pancakes. Problem is you can’t just stop at one. 🙂
Simone (junglefrog) - January 7, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Ok, now I have to tell you a secret; these are not really Danish but actually a Dutch specialty called poffertjes… Yes, it is true…lol… I don’t really know about that but we do have sort of the same little pancakes which are a real traditional treat here in Holland and they are called Poffertjes. We tend to eat them with just a bit of butter and sugar but they can be had with just about anything, same as the Danish ones. Funny to find this as I never knew the Danish had the same treat as the Dutch!
Esi - January 7, 2010 at 6:21 pm
When I was in Solvang (near Santa Barbara) a couple of weeks ago, we made it a point to have aebleskiver before we left. So good!! I wanted to get a mini pan, but I don’t have room for one in my kitchen!
Michelle - January 8, 2010 at 12:12 am
My first attempt at Ebelskiver was similar to yours only I think I sightly burned myself several times!
But I found Ebelskiver Filled-Pancake Turning Tools at Williams Sonoma and boy do they help!
donna - January 8, 2010 at 12:38 am
I have never made these before and have always wanted to. Yours look wonderful. I am more motivated to make them after reading your description and seeing your photos.
Bianca @ South Bay Rants n raves - January 8, 2010 at 12:51 am
Love these pancakes from around the world!
Michelle - January 8, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Sounds really good. Of course, they are pancakes. They have to be!
Ivy - January 9, 2010 at 4:16 pm
They look lovely and perfect with maple syrup.
Dharm - January 10, 2010 at 1:57 am
We have this every year at Christmas at my aunts! Her husband (that makes him my uncle!) is a Dane and this treat is served as dessert – filled with jam- after a full slap up meal that included Glug! Love how yours turned out! Brilliant!
Erica - January 11, 2010 at 11:23 am
I am not familiar with those…..but they look and sound delicious. Great job! I would love to have a couple with large cup of black coffee (Colombian) 😉
mari @ Secrets of a Kitchen Wizard - January 12, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Happy new year, Jen! I got one of these from Chad after the Festival, and I love it! Use it every weekend with various fillings — sweet, savory, even a piece of octopus (Tako-yaki!) I need to finish the blog post I wrote about it…
Dragged it to Milwaukee for Xmas to make them for my niece and nephew — TSA got hold of it and delayed our luggage (and skivers) for 3 days, but they loved them!
Kitchen Butterfly - January 15, 2010 at 4:40 pm
They are like the dutch poffertjes, also baked in a special pan but not as deep. We love them…..though the Dutch scorn those who eat them at breakfast (not sure what the Danes do), they are to be found regularly on ours. But then, were Nigerian. Have a blessed 2010.
Dee-Lish - July 26, 2010 at 2:43 am
We make a trip to to Solvang, CA every fall and this is where I fell in love with these scrumptious little things. During the Solvang festival ea Sept, these are sold on the streets for all to taste.
Recently bought a ebelskiver pan at Williams Sonoma (theirs exclusively made for the company) plus their small cookbook. A plethora of E-skivers of recipes!
After seeing your great photo it reminds me I had better get started.
My husband has been waiting ever so patiently.
Mrs. Skiver - October 5, 2010 at 4:14 am
Was visiting the Danish village of Solvang, CA yesterday in the wine country on the central coast and finally tasted their Abelskivers. Delicious. A plate of 3 dripping in a rasperry sauce sprinkled all over with powderd sugar.
I recently bought a pan made especially for Abelskivers at Williams Sonoma cooking store. They turned out great. They are most delicious served right out of the pan. You can see the pan on their website. Easy to make and what a treat they will be during the holiday season for your family and friends.