How to make ebelskivers: Experts share their tips

Camilla V. Saulsbury, author of “150 Best Ebelskiver Recipes” (Robert Rose, $24.95) says getting the pan to the right temperature is key. “If the pan's not hot enough, it's not going to cook quickly, and it will be very difficult to flip them over,” she says. At the right temperature, flipping is relatively easy with a little practice. Saulsbury uses a scoop for equal measures, but at least one Danish chef pours the batter from a pitcher, pokes the ebelskivers with a skewer and uses the skewer to remove them. (See the featured video with Arne Solvang, founder of Solvang Restaurant.)

“They are not precious at all,” Saulsbury says. “Once you get used to it, you can fill the wells really full, and you can just flip it a little bit at a time, as they do in Denmark. “It's not as strict as you might think.”

I tested Saulsbury's recipes in a Nordic Ware ebelskiver pan with good results. I also turned leftover batter into pancakes that were light and fluffy, although not as cute.

Beating egg whites to stiff peaks is key in most of Saulsbury's ebelskiver recipes, creating a light batter that helps them rise along with baking soda or baking powder. Her technique calls for flipping the ebelskivers with two skewers, but the traditional Danish method, as shown in the video, calls for a series of gradual turns that result in completely round ebelskivers.

Saulsbury says the batter also can be cooked in a waffle iron. “You wouldn't want to put jelly or other fillings in your waffle maker, however.” Got an egg poacher that fits over a pot? “You could use that as well,” she says. “If you have the water up to a boil, it will take just a few minutes longer but it will be the same thing,” she says. “I've done it before, so it does work.”

Once you've mastered them, three to five ebelskivers make a single serving. Saulsbury suggests preparing two or three per person for appetizers. “If I were doing them for a party, I'd rewarm them in the oven.” Heat the oven to about 250 degrees, put them all on a baking sheet and warm for about 15 minutes, she advises.

Further, Saulsbury says ebelskivers are a good choice for planned treats that can help with sensible eating. In addition to being a wife, mother and cookbook author, Camilla V. Saulsbury, Ph.D also is a fitness instructor who teaches seven exercise classes a week.

“My diet is very full of vegetables and whole grains, but I can't imagine life without sweet treats,” she says. “If you plan on something delicious and good as part of your diet, you are going to stick with it that much more easily.”