Aebleskiver is a delicious Danish treat that my husband introduced to me when we got married. Imagine a cross between a doughnut hole and a pancake.
Danish Aebleskiver
We love having aebleskiver around Christmas time (as do many Danes) but of course you can enjoy it ANY time of year! Aebleskiver are little Danish snack desserts that are spherical, cooked, dough balls that have a similar consistency to pancakes in the United States. The name “Aebleskiver” directly translated means “apple slices” because traditionally they are cooked with apple slices in the middle.
A True Danish Favorite
This recipe is a TRUE Danish recipe, straight from Denmark. My husband lived in Denmark for a couple years and he fell in love with all the Danish food and rich traditions. He always loved visiting with the Danes and snacking on aebleskiver. When we started dating, he was so excited to make them for me. After I popped the first one, I was hooked. Once we got married, it quickly became one of our own family traditions to make aebleskiver on Christmas Eve and throughout the Christmas season.
What Do You Need To Make Aebleskiver?
You will need a good aebleskiver pan to make these but they really aren’t that hard to find. We found ours on Amazon (click here) for around $20. These make for GREAT gifts, by the way. For easy flipping, you can use a chopstick (the easiest way) or a fork.
The Authentic Danish Way
Traditionally, aebleskiver is served as a dessert. If you really want to be traditional, once you have the batter in the pan, place a little apple slice in the batter before flipping (so you have a hot apple center). Our favorite way of serving them is with jam and powdered sugar, however they taste great with hot syrup or honey butter!
More Traditional Danish Recipes
If you Danish, have Danish heritage, or just want to try out some tasty recipes from Denmark, give some of these other traditional recipes a try!
- Frikadeller (Danish Meatballs)
- Brunede Kartofler (Danish Caramelized Potatoes)
- Ris A La Mande (Danish Rice Pudding)
- Danish Red Cabbage
- Danish Goulash
How To Make Aebleskiver
Ingredients
- 2 eggs divided into egg whites and egg yolks in separate bowls
- 2 C flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 4 Tbsp. butter melted
- 2 C buttermilk
- melted butter for greasing pan
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they can hold a stiff peak. Set aside.
- Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, sugar, egg yolks, 4 Tbsp. melted butter and buttermilk and beat until smooth. Gently fold in the egg whites last.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the bottom of each aebleskiver pan cup with melted butter and heat until hot. Pour in about 2 tablespoons of the batter into each cup. As soon as they get bubbly around the edge, flip them over (In Denmark they typically use a knitting needle to flip, but you can use a chopstick or a fork). Continue cooking, turning the ball until is is golden brown all the way around and is cooked through (like a pancake). It might take a couple tries to get the feel for it, but once you do you will be flippin' aebleskiver like it's nobody's business!
- Serve with jam or syrup and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Equipment
- Aebleskiver pan
Notes
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Linda says
if you do not have the pan can you prepare like a pancake and then roll them
Denelle says
Perfect!
Beth says
This is so delicious and so yummy! I can’t wait to make these again! My family loved them!
Sydnie says
Loving these sweet little treat ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Kaci Morrell says
Aebleskiver is the best. Our restaurant in Solvang sell Aebleskiver year round and our online store can help you with all the supplies you need for Aebleskiver. We even have a delicious homemade jam (Bedstermor’s Raspberry Jam) https://www.solvangrestaurant.com/ You can find us on pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/solvangrestaurant/pins/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWNuoF-YJsfyxlfMDOuKkSA/playlists
instagram @solvangrestaurant Facebook @solvangrestaurant
Gunnar Knudsen says
A picture of the special pan would be good. Where do you buy a pan? There is a tradition of adding sliced thinly or cubed cut apples. What kind of apples?
I think the direct translation is Apple Slices
Favorite Family Recipes says
Here is a link to what the pan looks like: https://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Nonstick-Stuffed-Aebleskiver-Ebelskiver/dp/B000ZUAFL4
Usually pink lady or honey crisp apples are my favorite to cook with!
Cheryl says
I know they sell the pans at Williams Sonoma. But Amazon is good too
Mark Tucker says
Here is a terrific video on how to properly make Aebleskiver.
https://youtu.be/xWxISl1dpyI
Kaci Morrell says
Thanks for sharing our video. We are hoping to update it soon. We also have a website and sell pans and Aebleskiver mix. https://www.solvangrestaurant.com/
MaryAnn says
I am married to a Dane and love these little treats! My mother-in-law gave me the pan as a gift many years ago. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Cheryl says
We make Aebleskivers. We love them in the summer with fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top. My parents made them for us and they gave each of us pans so that we were able to make them for our kids.
~Cheryl
Dezi A says
Aww… my grandma used to make these, and then my dad a few times. I’ll have to go find a pan so I can make it for my boys. Thanks!!
JOANN says
I THINK MAYBE YOU BAKE THESE, OR DEEP FRY BUT NOT SURE, NO INSTRUCTION, WHAT TEMPERATURE? I HAVE HAD THEM MANY YEARS AGO IN A DANISH RESTUARANT IN VISALIA CA DELICIOUS!
Toni says
These are cooked on top of the stove in a special pan.