Easter Ebleskivers

For Easter brunch we wanted something delicious that we could make without too much fuss after an exciting and hectic week.  Eric suggested Ebleskivers, a round Scandinavian pancake. They hadn't been in our brunch rotation for a while and they are a treat.  It was a great choice.

I have my grandmother's ebelskiver pan which has 7 half-circle impressions.  After making a simple buttermilk batter and folding in beaten egg whites, you pour a small amount of batter into each section.  Once the bottom is cooked, you turn each ball with a wooden stick or fork to cook the next side, and so on until you have an evenly cooked "puff ball" with a nearly hollow center.  After removing the ebleskivers from the pan, you can fill them with butter and jam and/or cover them with powdered sugar or maple syrup. 

I will print the ebleskiver recipe I use below, just in case you have one of these pans mouldering away in your cupboard and don't know what to do with it!  Along with the pan, I received a number of different ebelskiver recipes, from "Easy Do Ebleskiver" made with yellow cake mix (this one doesn't sound too appealing to me) to a Bisquick recipe, to one featuring cardamom.  Besides using buttermilk, the ebleskiver recipe we've decided is our favorite has the added feature of being a yellowed Tacoma (Washington) News Tribune clipping from October 11, 1972.  (It was a Wednesday, in case you're wondering.)

The article explains that Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) faculty wives will be presenting a "Yule Boutique" featuring their brand new cookbook, Christmas craft booths, and a magic show for children.  Regarding ebleskivers (spelled Aebliskiver) the article explains, "A special treat to be served will be Aebliskiver submitted by Mrs. Neale Nelson, which was given to her by a Danish housewife.  It is a Scandinavian delicacy, light and tasty, a round little griddle cake like a pastry baked in a special iron atop the stove.  Faculty wives, dressed in colorful costumes, will also serve hot rolls, breads and coffee for patrons."

I wonder if the faculty wives (and husbands) are still hosting a "Yule Boutique" these days.  In case you can't make it to one, the recipe for ebelskivers follows, for Easter or any other joyous morning!

Aebliskiver (A Danish Recipe)
"Sound Cuisine" from the Tacoma News Tribune, 1972

2 cups buttermilk
2 cups flour
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon soda
2 Tablespoons sugar
4 Tablespoons melted butter

Separate eggs and beat the whites stiffly.  Mix all other ingredients together at one time and beat until smooth.  Fold in whites.  Add 1 Tablespoon of oil or shortening in bottom of each pan cup of Aebliskiver iron and heat.  Pour 2 Tablespoons of batter into each cup.  When they are bubbly around the edge, turn quickly with a fork.  Continue cooking and turn the ball frequently until fork comes out clean when stuck in center.  Serve with jam or powdered sugar.

Paige's note: A full recipe makes about 7 batches (49 balls!)  For two people, I make a half recipe and still have some leftovers.