Holiday Recipe: Warm Up the Kitchen With Danish ‘Aebleskiver’
If they aren’t already, these holiday breakfast treats may become a new family tradition
Alexandra Crafton
December 23, 2016
Houzz Contributor: Specializing in interior photography and lifestyle journalism, Alexandra loves getting to know the people and stories behind the houses she shoots.
Houzz Contributor: Specializing in interior photography and lifestyle journalism,... More
Each year when families gather together to celebrate the holidays, enjoying traditional foods and recipes that have been passed down through the generations (or rediscovered by new ones) is among the most cherished activities. These treats come from around the globe and include aebleskiver, a Danish favorite that for many people in Scandinavia and beyond epitomizes Jul, or Yule. Here, Kathryn Colton shows how to make these classic puffed pancakes.
Aebleskiver are perfect for those mornings when you don’t want to spend a lot of time making a breakfast feast, but you still want something warm and delicious to nibble on as you relax with family. By using only a handful of ingredients and following a few simple steps, you can make them a tradition that your family can enjoy during the holidays and on lazy mornings throughout the year.
The origin of these pancakes is up for debate, but there is a certain charm and logic to the story that the Vikings used their helmets to make them, resulting in their round shape.
The origin of these pancakes is up for debate, but there is a certain charm and logic to the story that the Vikings used their helmets to make them, resulting in their round shape.
Although her family’s homestead is in McLean, Virginia, Colton has Scandinavian roots. “My ancestors came from Scandinavia — my mother’s side from Sweden, and my father’s side from Denmark,” she says. “Especially at Christmastime, we enjoy connecting to this heritage.” As a way of paying homage to her roots, each year she makes her great-grandmother’s Danish Jul aebleskiver.
Colton started making this treat for her children as they opened presents on Christmas morning. Now she continues the tradition with her grandchildren when they come to visit during the holidays. “On Christmas morning, we enjoy a family breakfast of aebleskiver, eggs, fruit and hot chocolate,” she says.
Colton started making this treat for her children as they opened presents on Christmas morning. Now she continues the tradition with her grandchildren when they come to visit during the holidays. “On Christmas morning, we enjoy a family breakfast of aebleskiver, eggs, fruit and hot chocolate,” she says.
Colton makes most of the family’s holiday food and home decor herself. “I made the Advent calendar and table runners using needlework kits from Scandinavia, in keeping with my heritage.”
She also has other reminders of her background. “Our Christmas decorations have been collected little by little. Many of the Christmas objects come from Scandinavia,” Colton says.
“Some years back, my brother and his wife joined my husband and me on a trip to Germany and Scandinavia. While there, my sister-in-law and I tried on a traditional Danish folk dress. We decided we would each get one and wear it each Christmas as a family tradition,” says Colton, pictured here in her traditional dress by the front door of her home.
Great-Grandma’s Danish Jul Aebleskiver
Makes: 60
Total time: About 45 minutes
The basic ingredients are readily available, but you will need an aebleskiver pan, found in cookware shops and online. You will also need a long wooden skewer or a special aebleskiver turner. The traditional dress is optional.
Ingredients
Makes: 60
Total time: About 45 minutes
The basic ingredients are readily available, but you will need an aebleskiver pan, found in cookware shops and online. You will also need a long wooden skewer or a special aebleskiver turner. The traditional dress is optional.
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 2½ cups buttermilk
- 1½ teaspoons lemon extract
- 3 cups flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- Cooking-oil spray
- Jam (optional)
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
Beat eggs and buttermilk together until they are cream-colored. Add lemon extract, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, beating well after each addition.
Beat eggs and buttermilk together until they are cream-colored. Add lemon extract, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, beating well after each addition.
Heat an aebleskiver pan over medium heat.
Once the pan is warm, spray each well lightly with cooking-oil spray. Fill each well about two-thirds full with batter.
Optional: Fill each well only one-third full, top each with a dot of jam (about ⅛ teaspoon) and cover with additional batter.
Cook about 1 to 1½ minutes until batter begins to bubble, and sides and bottom are golden brown.
When the aebleskiver have a crust on their undersides, flip each one using a skewer or turner to allow the other side of the pancake to finish cooking. Turn as needed to ensure that all sides are golden brown and the insides are fully cooked. You can use a cake tester or toothpick to check for doneness.
As you finish each pancake, carefully put it in a nearby bowl. Respray the pan and continue cooking until all the batter is used.
While the aebleskiver are still hot, sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
Serve with lemon and a traditional Scandinavian lingonberry jam, maple syrup or your family’s favorite preserves.
Fresh berries and cold milk or hot chocolate make this Scandinavian breakfast complete.
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I can remember in when I was 8 years old, I would get up very early in the morning and make them. Yes, 8! It was in the 1950's too. My mother or brother must have bought the pan. Can't remember. But the first time I had them, I had to learn to make them.
My family have started a few traditions. We try and have a fondu before Christmas, including the chocolate one. Its so fun.