Ebelskivers (Danish Pancakes) With Lingonberry Jam

These Danish pancakes are more like pancake pockets—fluffy, light-as-air rounds of dough filled with sweet-tart lingonberry jam.

Three ebelskivers on a white cloth, dusted with powdered sugar. One is torn is cut in half, showing the lingonberry jam filling.

Serious Eats / Carrie Vasios

Why It Works

  • Lingonberry jam provides a tart counterpoint to the buttery dough. 
  • A dusting of powdered sugar adds sweetness.

The Scandinavian countries really have a way with pancakes. My first introduction was with the Swedish pancake mix from Ikea. You might balk, but it actually makes deliciously thin, crepe-like pancakes that we'd pair with lingonberry jam for special Sunday breakfasts. A trip to Finland cemented my love—the pancakes there were baked, not cooked on the stovetop, but they had the same delicious buttery balance. No heap of bland dough. No overwhelming syrup. Just awesome pancakes all on their own.

The Danish version, ebelskivers (also transliterated as aebelskivers), are just as unique and just as delicious. Instead of lying flat, these pancakes are more like pancake pockets—fluffy, light-as-air rounds of dough with fillings as diverse as fruit preserves, Nutella, and cheese. I like them with, yes, lingonberry jam (OK, I'll come out and say it—I freaking love this stuff). Lingonberries have the perfect tartness to make the pancakes, with their dusting of powdered sugar, taste sweeter.

The trick to ebelskivers, aside from having an ebelskiver pan, is to make sure to butter the wells and have something long and pointy on hand for turning. It may not be authentic, but my preferred tool is chopsticks, which easily flip the delicate dough.

Another hint? Don't pass the syrup. The dough here is buttery with a hint of salt, and if your filling is tasty, the pancakes will be too. Confectioners' sugar adds the perfect extra touch of sweetness (and makes them wonderfully wintery to boot).

December 2012

Recipe Details

Ebelskivers (Danish Pancakes) With Lingonberry Jam

Prep 15 mins
Cook 25 mins
Active 25 mins
Total 40 mins
Serves 20 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (about 5 ounces) all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

  • 2 eggs, separated

  • 1 cup milk

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 1/2 cup lingonberry jam

  • Confectioners' sugar, for serving

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, milk, and 2 tablespoons melted butter until combined. Stir in dry ingredients. Mixture should be lumpy—do not overmix.

  2. In a small bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer or whisk until stiff but not dry peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold egg whites into batter.

  3. Put ebelskiver pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 teaspoon butter to each well of the mold and, when bubbling, add 1 tablespoon of batter. Top each well with 1 teaspoon of jam, then top with another 1 tablespoon batter. Let ebelskivers cook until bottoms are golden, about 4 minutes, then flip and continue to cook until tops are also golden, 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. Repeat with rest of batter, then serve immediately with confectioners' sugar on top.

Special Equipment

Ebelskiver pan, whisk, electric beater (optional)

Read More

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
78 Calories
3g Fat
12g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 20
Amount per serving
Calories 78
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Sodium 54mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 37mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)