Ode to Avagardnerskivers (aka Aebleskivers)

Ah, the aebleskiver, why do I love you so?  Some people call you pancake balls , some people call you a pancake doughnut - me,  I call you a little round ball of love -  fluffy tasty goodness. Hot out of the pan with sugar and raspberry jam ( this is when double dipping is allowed! ) , buttery , eggy with a hint of cardamon - oh! so , so , so good!

I grew up eating aebleskivers , it is hard not to when you grow up in a Danish house hold.   Sometimes we would get crepes with sugar and jam for special occasions , but the aebleskiver was always the special treat! When I was very young I had trouble saying aebleskiver - so I choose to call them avagardnerskivers - it has stuck to this day.

Avagardnerskivers are easy to make , all you need is an aebleskiver pan, a knitting needle or bamboo skewer and of course a recipe, sugar and raspberry jam.  I prefer cast iron , put now you can find all different types of pans from cast iron to cast aluminum , you can actually get the mix , the pan and an " aebleskiver filled pancake tool" at Williams Sonoma!  Go figure!  http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/6126122/?cm_src=rel

This is my pan, it was either my mormor's (grandmother) or my oldemor's (great grandmother's pan), it  is old and heavy and my friend when I get the urge to make my avagardnerskivers.  Following is the only recipe I have ever used , with great thanks to my mor and my mormor.

aebleskivers - aka avagardnerskivers

2 c buttermilk
2 c unbleached flour
3 eggs seperated
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp cardamon
pinch of salt
a mixture a melted butter and oil for cooking

Beat egg whites to stiff peaks, set aside.  Beat yolks with sugar, salt, cardamon, and buttermilk. Mix in flour, baking powder and baking soda. Fold in egg whites.
Heat your pan ,  pour a small amount of the melted butter and oil mixture into each hole.  Using a small ladle or spoon fill each hole.  When the edges are bubbling and are starting to look golden brown use your knitting needle to turn the aebleskiver upside down.  Continue to cook the the aebleskivers till they are brown all over.  You can use a toothpick in the center to make sure they are cooked thru.  It is best to eat them right away , but they can be kept warm in an oven.
Serve with sugar and raspberry jam or your favorite jam.

turning the aebleskivers with skewers

the finished product!