Name: apple-filled ebelskiver (danish pancakes)
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar; 3 granny smith apples, peeled & grated; 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; juice of 1/2 lemon; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup pure maple syrup; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour ((or "00" flour)); 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 egg yolks; 1 1/3 cups buttermilk; 1/2 cup sour cream; 5 egg whites; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 tablespoon powdered sugar; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

These guys are as delicious as they look. Really. Imagine the fluffiest pancake with yummy spiced apples thrown in. Then shape it all into the cutest little sphere and add a dollop of maple whipped cream. A little bit of heaven on earth. And yes. You can make these Apple-Filled Ebelskiver (Danish Pancakes) at home. Let’s start at the beginning…

What are ebelskiver anyway?

singular aebleskive\ aeb·le·ski·ve | \ ˈe-blə-ˌski-və \
plural aebleskiver\ ˈe- blə- ˌski- vər \

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of aebleskive is a muffin-shaped pastry made of yeast-leavened batter baked in a special pan. There are several acceptable spellings but the one used in this post seems to be most widely used in our part of the planet.

Ebelskiver are a type of Danish pancake that are traditionally reserved for enjoying during the Christmas season. They are cooked in a special stove-top pan that is formed with several (usually seven) half-spherical molds. The pan that I use (and love) is made by Nordic Ware and can be found in most kitchen supply stores or online at Amazon. The ebelskive is shaped like a golfball with a light fluffy interior encased in a crispy browned exterior. And just to be clear …in my household, we enjoy them throughout the year.

In Denmark, ebelskiver are usually served covered in powdered sugar with a topping or filling of fruit jam. Even though the literal translation of the Danish word, ebelskiver, is “sliced apples,” don’t assume that you are limited to apple-filled pancakes. The choices are endless. They can be savory or sweet. Filled with nutella or herbed cheese. They can be enjoyed with no filling then sprinkled with cinnamon & sugar. If intrigued by the possibilities, there are a few cookbooks out there that are packed full of inspiration… Ebelskivers: Filled Pancakes and Other Mouthwatering Miniatures and 150 Best Ebelskiver Recipes.

Let’s get started on our spiced-apple filling…

Since you’ll be adding a fairly small amount of filling to each pancake, it’s important to break the apple down to very small pieces. You could actually mince it but the most efficient way is to use your grater.

Once the apples are grated, place them in a saucepan and top them off with the butter, brown sugar, spices and lemon juice. A totally delicious combination.

This is how your apple mixture should appear when finished. If there is any excess moisture hangin’ out in the skillet, drain that off right away.

The apples need about 20 minutes of simmering …perfect time to work on your maple whipped cream and then the pancake batter.

Cover and refrigerate the whipped cream until ready to use it.

On to the pancake batter…

As you are working on building your batter, you may think it’s pretty involved. Stay with me, here. It is so worth the effort.

Especially the step where you whip the egg whites on their own then fold them into the batter. I’ve been making my waffle batter this way for years and please believe me when I tell you that it makes all the difference in the world. It adds so much lightness and fluffiness to your finished breakfast treat.

Let’s make some ebelskiver…

As your ebelskiver pan is heating over low-medium heat, set up your mini-assembly line with the following…

Melted butter & pastry or basting brush
Pancake batter & a one-tablespoon measure
Spiced-apple filling & a half-teaspoon measure
Turning tools (Chopsticks or wooden skewers would also work.)
A timer

The original recipe for these goodies comes from the folks at Williams-Sonoma Kitchen. As usual, I tweaked it a bit here and there. One of the major substitutions I made was for the flour. Instead of using all-purpose flour, I swapped it out with Antimo Caputo “00” Chef’s Flour which is imported from Italy. I am currently testing out a variety of imported flours for their superior non-GMO quality. So far I’m impressed …more on that later.

Also, these guys can easily be made gluten-free with an easy flour swap.

Tips & Tricks

Do not allow the pan to become too hot causing the exterior of the pancakes to overly brown before the center has a chance to cook through.
Add the batter to the pan in an organized fashion. Work your way around the pan, filling the wells clockwise. Then use the same clockwise pattern for filling and flipping. This will ensure that your ebelskiver are evenly cooked.
Look for small bubbles rising from the centers of the pancakes – a sure sign that the ebelskiver are ready to be flipped.
Don’t worry if there’s still liquid batter in the middle of the pancake! It will ooze into the bottom of the pan and will adhere to the rest of the pancake.
Pancakes can be filled after cooking by using a pastry bag; pierce one side of the pancake and pipe the filling into the center.
Be sure to let the filled pancakes cool slightly before eating!

It’s time to impress your family with these Apple-Filled Ebelskiver (Danish Pancakes)

Mix up the two remaining ingredients …the confectioner’s sugar and cinnamon. Give the ebelskiver a light dusting along with a generous dollop of maple whipped cream. Maple syrup can be offered here but these beauties are moist and delicious without it. Enjoy!