Karen Blixen - Isak Dinesen home

Aebleskiver are traditional Danish pancakes. They are made in a special pan called a monk's pan. A fabulous recipe can be found at Williams-Sonoma.

Another of our favorite recipes is from Lindgren's Bed & Breakfast in Lutsen, Minnesota. This recipe makes delicious aebleskiver (which also taste just like the poffertjes at Keukenhof Gardens in Holland).

Serve these warm, sprinkled generously with powdered sugar. Arrange seven aebleskiver in a circle on each plate, fill the center with a mound of applesauce or strawberries, add whipped cream (optional) and serve!

Aebleskiver (Danish Ball Pancakes)

4 separated eggs
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups buttermilk [or 3/4 C beer plus 1 1/4 C milk]
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour
oil or lard

Beat egg whites until stiff; set aside. Beat rest of ingredients until batter is very smooth. Fold in egg whites. Heat [at a moderate temperature] a well-seasoned monk's pan (see tip below) with 1/8 teaspoon oil or lard in each of the 7 holes. Fill each hole [about three-quarters full] with batter. [Be sure to add a few drops of oil to each well in the pan before the next round of batter.]

When browned on one side (almost right away), turn with knitting needle [or two-tined fork] and keep turning until needle comes out clean after piercing through the cake. [We find that you need to turn these only once.]

Serve with flavored butters, such as maple or cinnamon honey, syrup, jam and brown or white sugar. Tips: You can purchase a cast iron monk's pan at Scandinavia gift shops or at small town hardware stores in Danish communities. As for servings, plan on each person eating 7-10 cakes. Makes approximately 48 pancakes.

Lindgren's B&B on Lake Superior
info@lindgrenbb.com
PO Box 56 Lutsen, MN 55612
Phone: 218-663-7450
Fax: 218-663-7450
Innkeeper: Shirley Lindgren

[Note: we have found recipes that call for only two eggs but we think the above recipe is better. You can add cinnamon, cardamom, or vanilla to the recipe if desired. Aebleskiver may be refrigerated and are delicious re-warmed in the microwave for 25-35 seconds.]

Monk's Pan

Monk's pans can be found in flea markets, or you can order a monk's pan from Your Northwest.

Read more at "The Pan Where East Meets West" by Marlene Parrish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.


Photo of poffertjes (aebleskiver) cooking at Keukenhof Gardens, Holland