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Home » Recipes

Æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes)

Published: Sep 19, 2023 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Aebleskiver are buttery, tender pancake-like balls that are enjoyed in Denmark during the holiday season. Dusted with powdered sugar and and served with jam, sweet and fluffy æbleskiver are an irresistible treat.

Lucky for us, they are very easy to make at home. Let me show you how!

Æbleskivers on a plate next to jam and a napkin.

Why This Recipe Works

These æbleskiver recipe produces top-notch results every time because:

  • It contains just the right amount of sugar and isn't overly sweet;
  • Just a hint of Nordic spices (cardamom and nutmeg) add welcome flavor to this otherwise simply flavored treat; and
  • the eggs are separated and the egg whites are whipped before adding them to the recipe. This creates an extra light and fluffy texture in the final product.

The Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for æbleskivers.

Nothing fancy, just simple pantry staples required here. I have a couple of ingredient notes when it comes to substitutions:

  • If you are not a fan of cardamom and/or nutmeg or simply just want a more plain version of æbleskiver, feel free to omit one or both spices.
  • The whole milk can replaced with plant-based milk or buttermilk if desired.

See the recipe card below for exact amounts and detailed instructions.

The Equipment

Æbleskivers in a pan on a marble surface next to a towel.

This recipe does require an æbleskiver pan, which is a pan with divots that is specially designed for making these pancake-like balls. You will also need a wooden skewer or some other sharp, pointy implement (some people use a knitting needle) to help turn the æbleskiver over while they are cooking

How to Make Æbleskiver at Home

Making æbleskiver is a lot like making traditional pancakes but with a few twists:

  • Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Set aside.
  • Combine the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls, reserving the egg whites for the next step.
  • Beat the egg whites with the whisk attachment of stand mixer until they form medium peaks that are fluffy but not dry. This can be done by hand but requires a lot of vigorous whisking!
Batter for æbleskivers with whipped egg whites on top with a spatula.
Batter for æbleskivers in a gray bowl with a spatula.
  • Mix the wet and dry ingredients together and then gently fold in the beaten egg whites.
  • Heat an æbleskiver pan over medium low heat. Place a small cube of butter in each round or brush each round with melted butter using a heat proof pastry brush. Swirl the pan to coat all sides.
Butter melting in an æbleskiver pan.
Æbleskivers cooking in a pan
  • Once the butter stops foaming, spoon batter into each round until it is nearly full. Cook until it is JUST set, about 1 minute.
  • Using a skewer, flip each æbleskiver 90 degrees (the batter will run out into the bottom of each round).
Æbleskivers cooking in a pan.
Æbleskivers in a pan with a wooden skewer.
  • Continue turning the æbleskiver so that the partially cooked bottom is now on top.
  • Turn the æbleskiver frequently using the skewer until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes total.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm with powdered sugar and jam.

Expert Tips for Excellent Æbleskiver

  • Monitor the heat carefully! It's easy for these Danish pancakes to cook too fast on the outside and not be done on the inside. Start with the heat at medium low and then adjust downward if they are cooking too quickly. You can check the doneness of the interior of the æbleskiver by inserting a skewer into the center (it should come out clean with no batter attached).
  • Begin to turn them once the first side is just set. This helps them become more round and prevents the bottom side from browning too quickly.
  • Turn the æbleskiver frequently. You will end up with a more evenly done, golden brown round final product if you continue to turn them as they cook.
  • Be sure to wipe out the pan with a damp paper towel in between batches. This clears out any leftover butter or cooked bits of batter so that you can start with a clean slate.
Æbleskivers, jam and mulled wine on a marble surface.

FAQs

What does the word "æbleskiver" mean?

Oddly enough, it means "apple slice" in Danish. Traditionally, these pancake balls were made with an apple slice tucked into the center of each one. So even if your æbleskiver don't have a piece of apple in the center, the name remains the same.

How do you pronounce æbleskiver?

It's pronounced "ay-blah-skee-ver".

How do I serve æbleskiver?

Despite the fact that they are pancakes, æbleskiver are traditionally more of a snack or treat to enjoy with coffee than a breakfast in Denmark. They are often served in threes, dusted with powdered sugar alongside raspberry jam for dipping. Æbleskiver are a classic holiday pairing with glögg, or mulled wine. Street vendors throughout Denmark sell æbleskiver during the month of December.

How do I store æbleskiver?

They are best eaten immediately, but once the are cool you can store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Reheat briefly in a 300 degree oven to warm through.

Can I freeze æbleskiver?

Yes. Transfer cooled æbleskiver to a freezer bag or other tightly sealed container. When you are ready to serve, pop them in a 300 degree oven briefly until warmed through (no need to defrost first).

Æbleskiver Variations

The original recipe is delicious, but once you've got that mastered, try some of these variations:

  • Vanilla Æbleskiver: Omit the cardamom and nutmeg and let the flavors of the vanilla extract shine through.
  • Buttermilk Æbleskiver: Replace the milk with buttermilk and add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to the recipe.
  • Filled Æbleskiver: While the pancakes are cooking, drop a couple of pieces of cubed apple, a dollop of fruit jam, a spoonful of pastry cream or a few small pieces of chocolate into the center of each æbleskiver.
Close up of æbleskivers on a plate next to a napkin.

Related Recipes

Looking for other Scandinavian holiday favorites? Give some of these classics a try!

  • A cup of mulled wine next to evergreen branches, spices and an orange.
    Swedish Glögg
  • St. Lucia Buns on a marble plate.
    St. Lucia Buns (Lussekatter)
  • Mandelmusslor on a marble surface next to a cup of coffee.
    Mandelmusslor (Swedish Almond Tart Cookies)
  • Close up of a pile of krumkaker.
    Krumkake (Norwegian Waffle Cookies)
Close up of Danish Pancakes (æbleskiver) next to raspberry jam.

Æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes)

Warm, buttery and delicious Danish pancake balls. Perfect dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast, Fika, Snack
Cuisine: Danish, Nordic, Scandinavian
Keyword: æbleskivers, Danish pancakes, Danish donuts
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 297kcal

Equipment

  • Æbleskiver pan
  • Wooden skewer, knitting needle or other long pointy object

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 eggs separated
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature + more for the pan
  • Powdered sugar and raspberry or strawberry jam for serving optional

Instructions

  • Whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cardamom and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Whisk milk, egg yolks, vanilla and melted butter together in a large bowl until well combined. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
  • Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and, using the whisk attachment, whip until they come to medium peaks that are fluffy but not dry. Gently fold into the batter with a rubber spatula until just incorporated.
  • Heat an aebleskiver pan over medium low heat. Dot each round with a small cube of butter or brush with melted butter. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of batter into each round so that it is almost full. Cook until the bottom is just set, about a minute. Using a wooden skewer, gently turn each aebleskiver 90 degrees so that the batter spills out into the pan. Keep turning so that the side that is partially done is on the top. With the help of the skewer, continue cooking and turning until the aebleskiver are golden brown on all sides and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 6 to 8 minutes total. Adjust the heat downward if the æbleskiver are cooking too quickly.
  • Set aside on a wire rack to cool. Wipe out the pan with a damp paper towel and repeat with remaining batter. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with raspberry or strawberry jam if desired.

Notes

  • Monitor the heat carefully! It's easy for these Danish pancakes to cook too fast on the outside and not be done on the inside. Start with the heat at medium low and then adjust downward if they are cooking too quickly. You can check the doneness of the interior of the æbleskiver by inserting a skewer into the center (it should come out clean with no batter attached).
  • Begin to turn them once the first side is just set. This helps them become more round and prevents the bottom side from browning too quickly.
  • Turn the æbleskiver frequently. You will end up with a more evenly done, golden brown round final product if you continue to turn them as they cook.
Variations:
  • Vanilla Æbleskiver: Omit the cardamom and nutmeg and let the flavors of the vanilla extract shine through.
  • Buttermilk Æbleskiver: Replace the milk with buttermilk and add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to the recipe.
  • Filled Æbleskiver: While the pancakes are cooking, drop a few small pieces of cubed apple, a dollop of fruit jam, a spoonful of pastry cream or a few small pieces of chocolate into the center of each æbleskiver.  Don't over fill!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 386mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 533IU | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 2mg

More Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes

  • Swedish Fruit Soup topped with whipped cream.
    Swedish Fruit Soup (Fruktsoppa)
  • Close up of a spoonful of Mushroom Gratin.
    Creamy Mushroom Gratin
  • Overhead view of Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom next to pears and cardamom pods.
    Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom
  • Close up of Tomte Muffin cut in half.
    Tomte Muffins (Swedish Apple Muffins)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I Fashion Styles

    April 10, 2022 at 2:41 am

    Greetings! I've been following your site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the good work!

    Reply
  2. Julie W

    December 25, 2022 at 3:59 pm

    5 stars
    I lost the recipe that my cousin in Denmark gave me, so I had to find a new one for Christmas morning. My aebleskiver turned out perfectly round, fluffy, completely full in the middle, and absolutely delicious! I do believe it was my best batch yet! Now on to the ricegrot for Christmas dessert tonight! I try to incorporate as many Danish traditions in our Wisconsin holidays as I can!

    Reply
    • Kristi

      December 27, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Julie,
      So glad you enjoyed them and that they were round! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It is very much appreciated!

      Kristi

      Reply
  3. Chris

    January 07, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    How many does this make per serving? I have tried a few recipes and most just taste like puffy pancakes which taste just fine but I am looking for that texture change that comes with the aebleskiver.

    Reply
    • Kristi

      January 08, 2023 at 3:20 pm

      Hi Chris,
      I usually get 21-25 æbleskivers from this recipe. Hope this helps!
      Kristi

      Reply

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