I am currently obsessed with all things ball-shaped. Ever since I pulled out our takoyaki pan from the highest shelf, I’ve been convinced that I need to use it more and more. It takes a lot of effort to put it back – usually it’s buried behind a bunch of things – so I’m going to enjoy it while I can. If you have a takoyaki pan, you might be wondering, what can I make in a takoyaki pan? The answer is: EVERYTHING!
There are so many things you an make ball shaped. Imagine tiny round pizza balls, spherical cheese filled hash browns, and little grilled yaki onigiri rice balls. These all sound amazing, but the cutest thing to make might be pancake balls, otherwise known as Danish aebleskiver!
If you’re a pancake fan, and I am, you’ll love aebleskiver, fluffy little pancake balls served up for dessert usually but maybe also as a breakfast food? Danish peeps, let me know! From what I can tell, they’re a special treat that is usually served around Christmas, but maybe also eaten at breakfast time? Either way, they’re absolutely delicious and since they’re technically a “pancake” I’m calling them breakfast.
Originally I tried to take the batter from my fluffy Japanese pancakes to try to make into pancake balls, but it was an absolute disaster. I think maybe I didn’t let them cook through enough? Anyway, it was a mistake so I went with a more classic pancake recipe but also whipped up the whites separately so that the balls would be a bit fluffier.
They turned out super cute and tasted even better than they looked. What is it about food being balls? Or if you put them on a stick?! I almost died of the cuteness before inhaling them. A note on inhaling though, be careful when you’re eating powdered sugar. Sometimes I get too excited and it whooshes into my through and coughing abounds. Not a good look. Anyway, hope you make these little pancake balls, either as a special breakfast/brunch or even just as regular one when you have some time.
Happy Fall!!!
Danish Aebleskiver Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs divided
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp butter melted and cooled
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- oil for the pan
- maple syrup and powdered sugar to serve
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whip the egg whites until frothy and pale, adding in the sugar in bit at a time until the whites are whipped into a glossy thick meringue that holds a peak. Be careful not to over whip.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. Add the egg yolks, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
- Fold in the egg whites, a third at a time, until incorporated.
- Heat up your aebleskiver (or takoyaki pan) and lightly brush with oil.
- When the pan is hot, pour the batter into the individual compartments up to the top. Don’t worry if the batter over flows a bit.
- After a minute or two, the bottoms of the pancakes will have formed a skin and be cooked through. At this point, you can use a skewer to turn them over 90 degrees. If you can’t turn the aebleskiver easily, it probably needs to cook for a bit longer. If needed, add a bit more batter to the balls to fill them up. Let cook for a minute or so and then do another 90 degree turn. The balls will become easier to turn the more they cook.
- The pancakes are done when they’re light brown and crispy on the outside and turn easily in the holes.
- To serve, place on a plate and drizzle with maple syrup and dust with icing sugar. Serve with nutella and fruit if desired. Enjoy warm!
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-Steph & Mike
These pancakes look yummy , I’m going to make them today for dessert.
Thank you.
Cool.
In Denmark you would certainly add cardamom to the batter though :-)
Can these be made ahead and reheated?
hi karl,
i haven’t made them in advance before but it think it’s possible. you’ll probably want to reheat in a low oven or the toaster oven :)
For how many servings will be made with the ingredients mentioned above?
hi daniela,
it’s enough for 2-4, depending how how big of an eater you are :)
Did you know Aebleskiver was a technical challenge on an episode of the Great British Baking Show? Having seen THEIR results, I’m going to recommend this is NOT a recipe for an inexperienced cook. Adorable? Yes. Impressive? Yes. Easy? No.
Can a cake pop maker be used for these?
i haven’t tried but i think it would work!
HELLO I AM GOING TO TRY IT WITH CARDAMOM
THANKS FOR SHARING