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Æbleskiver are traditional Danish pancake balls—soft, fluffy, and especially popular during the winter holidays. Originally made with apple slices, they now often feature cozy flavors like vanilla, citrus zest, and warming spices such as cardamom. Cooked in a special pan that creates their signature round shape, æbleskiver are typically served dusted with powdered sugar and paired with jam or syrup. More than just a tasty treat, they capture the spirit of hygge, creating warm, shared moments with loved ones throughout the festive season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 lemon zest optional
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1½ cups buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat the egg yolks. Add buttermilk, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and melted butter. Stir until smooth.
- Make the batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until combined. The batter will be thick.
- Whip egg whites: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold the egg whites into the batter to keep it light and airy.
- Heat the pan: Preheat an æbleskiver pan over medium-low heat and grease each cavity with butter.
- Cook the æbleskiver: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each cavity. Cook for 1-2 minutes until edges firm up. Using a skewer or fork, carefully turn each ball 90 degrees to cook evenly, turning until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes total).
- Serve: Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with jam, syrup, or your favorite topping.
Notes
Danish winter spheres: soft, round treasures of the holiday season
As soon as the cold rolls into Denmark and daylight starts fading by late afternoon, people instinctively reach for the things that make the season feel warm—soft blankets, candlelight 🕯️, and, of course, something sweet from the kitchen. One such treat is æbleskiver, a traditional pastry that's about as close to edible comfort as you can get.
At first glance, they look like small golden balls—something between pancakes and doughnuts. But when you bite in, you get this airy, delicate texture with just the right hint of sweetness 😋. They’re made in a special pan with round wells, and flipping them takes a bit of practice. Some people use skewers, others use forks. Either way, there's something satisfying about the whole process.Where did the name come from?
Funny enough, æbleskiver literally means “apple slices.” Yet most modern versions don’t have any apples at all 🍎❌. A long time ago, the batter did include small bits of apple inside, but that part of the tradition faded with time. What stuck was the name—and the shape. Instead of apples, today's recipes focus more on the flavors that make you think of winter: vanilla, citrus zest 🍊, maybe a touch of cardamom or nutmeg. Nothing too bold—just enough to warm you up from the inside out.More than a snack: a December ritual
In Denmark, these little pancake balls show up every December, especially around Christmas 🎄. Families make them on the weekends. You’ll also see them sold at holiday markets, often dusted in powdered sugar and handed over with a cup of gløgg—a hot, spiced wine 🍷 that's as much a tradition as the pastry itself.
It’s not just about eating them. It’s the atmosphere—laughing while someone messes up a flip, the smell of butter on a hot pan, kids waiting for the first batch, powdered sugar getting everywhere. That’s hygge, the Danish way of turning small things into moments that matter ❤️.
