Ebelskivers are amazingly versatile. The batter is forgiving; the ingredients can be simple or elaborate; and they can be served center stage or on the side. This classic sugar-dusted version is reminiscent of New Orleansstyle beignets.
Preheat the oven to 200F (95C). To make the batter, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks, then whisk in the milk and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter. Add the yolk mixture to the flour mixture and, using a wooden spoon, stir until well blended. The batter will be lumpy.
In a clean bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff, but not dry, peaks form. Using a silicone spatula, fold about one-third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten it, then fold in the rest just until no white streaks remain.
Brush the wells of the ebelskiver pan with some of the remaining melted butter and place over medium heat. When the butter starts to bubble, add about 3 tablespoons batter to each well.
Cook until the bottoms of the pancakes are lightly browned and crisp, 35 minutes. Use 2 short wooden skewers to turn all the pancakes and cook until lightly browned on the second side, about 3 minutes longer.
Transfer the finished pancakes to a platter and keep warm in the oven while you repeat to make 2 more batches. Dust the warm pancakes with the confectioners sugar and serve right away.
crunchy cinnamon ebelskivers
These taste like cinnamon yeast rollsbut theyre much easier to make. Brown sugar and butter are melted in the pan before the batter goes in. Once the cakes cool a little, the caramelized topping cracks brle-style with every bite.
1 cup (5 oz/155 g) all-purpose flour
112 teaspoons sugar
12 teaspoon baking powder
14 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
14 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 large eggs, separated
1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) whole milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
312 tablespoons light brown sugar
Makes 21 pancakes; 47 servings
To make the batter, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks, then whisk in the milk and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter. Add the yolk mixture to the flour mixture and, using a wooden spoon, stir until well blended. The batter will be lumpy.
In a clean bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff, but not dry, peaks form. Using a silicone spatula, fold about one-third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten it, then fold in the rest just until no white streaks remain.
Brush the wells of the ebelskiver pan with some of the remaining melted butter and place over medium heat. Working quickly, put 12 teaspoon of the brown sugar in each well and cook until the sugar melts and turns dark and syrupy, 35 minutes. Add about 3 tablespoons batter to each well.
Cook until the bottoms of the pancakes are lightly browned and crisp, 35 minutes. Use 2 short wooden skewers to turn all the pancakes and cook until lightly browned on the second side, about 3 minutes longer.
Transfer the finished pancakes to a platter, let cool for 5 minutes, and serve slightly warm. Repeat to make 2 more batches, cooling each batch for 5 minutes before serving.
maple-nut ebelskivers
These nut-studded cakes are glossed with sweet, pure maple syrup. Theyre perfect for breakfast or as an unusual side dish with ham or pork. For an over-the-top dessert, serve them with Bourbon Whipped Cream.
Bourbon Whipped Cream (optional)
1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) heavy cream
2 tablespoons bourbon whisky
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup (4 oz/120 g) pecans
1 cup (5 oz/155 g) all-purpose flour
112 teaspoons sugar
12 teaspoon baking powder
14 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, separated
1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) whole milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) pure maple syrup
Makes 21 pancakes; 47 servings
If making the bourbon whipped cream, in a large bowl, combine the cream and bourbon. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the mixture until foamy. While beating continuously, slowly add the sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat the oven to 200F (95C). In a dry frying pan over medium heat, toast the pecans, stirring often, until lightly browned and fragrant, 35 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to a cutting board, and let cool slightly. Chop the pecans and set aside.