Æbleskiver

Æbleskiver (also spelled æbelskiver) are traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere. The name directly translates to "apple slices" in Danish, although apples are not usually an ingredient in present-day versions. The batter is made from flour, eggs, sugar, buttermilk, and cream, and is cooked in a special pan that has several hemispherical indentations.

History

The origin of Æbleskiver is not well-documented, but they are believed to have been introduced during the Viking Age, around 1000 AD. Some sources suggest that the Vikings would place dough on their shields and cook it over an open fire. The dough would naturally form into a spherical shape, creating the first Æbleskiver.

Preparation and Serving

To prepare Æbleskiver, a batter is made from flour, eggs, sugar, buttermilk, and cream. This batter is then poured into the indentations of a special Æbleskiver pan, which is typically made of cast iron. The pan is heated, and the batter is turned with a skewer or knitting needle to ensure even cooking and to form the distinctive spherical shape.

Æbleskiver are traditionally served during the Christmas season in Denmark, often accompanied by glogg, a type of mulled wine. They are typically dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam or marmalade. However, they can also be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as apple slices, prunes, or cheese.

Variations

While the traditional Æbleskiver recipe does not include apples, some variations do. These are often referred to as "apple Æbleskiver". Other variations include the addition of cardamom or vanilla to the batter, or filling the Æbleskiver with chocolate, custard, or even savory fillings like ham and cheese.

See Also

• Danish cuisine
• Pancake
• Viking Age