Danish Aebleskivers

Michelle Collier

My family's Danish heritage has brought us many great traditions and recipes, but nothing sticks out like aebleskivers. Aebleskivers are most easily described as little pancake balls, served with powdered sugar and jam. They also taste great when made with raisins.

Aebleskivers are eaten only on special occasions in my family. When my family gets together at my grandparents' house in California, my grandma will usually make them one morning for breakfast. We sometimes have competitions to see who can eat the most. My dad currently holds the record of 24 aebleskivers. Times like these, I have to forget I am a nutrition major.

The women who marry into the Collier family are given cast iron aebleskiver pans as a wedding gift, and taught how to make aebleskivers so they can pass on the tradition. People are often amused at my family's love of aebleskivers.

"I wish I could love anything as much as your family loves aebleskivers. If we could harness that kind of affection, I think we'd have world peace," were the exact words of Carissa Abrego, my cousin's girlfriend. Sounds to me like she should start loving them like we do!