Ebelskivers (Filled Pancakes)

This beloved treat from Denmark is oh-so-yummy and to-die-for. They’re light, fluffy pancakes that can be filled with anything - fruit, jam, cheese or my personal favorite, nutella. Serve them for breakfast or a hors d’oeuvre, dessert or light supper. You will need an ebelskiver pan which is available at most cooking stores such as Bed, Bath & Beyond or Williams-Sonoma. Trust me, it’s worth the investment.

Ebelskivers (Filled Pancakes)
Serves 4

Ingredients
2 cups pancake mix, such as Bisquick
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
A couple tablespoons butter, for the pan
¼ to ½ cup of filling of your choice (jam, chocolate, apple sauce, nutella)
Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Directions
Place an ebelskiver pan over medium heat to heat it up.

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the pancake mix, milk and eggs, whisking thoroughly to combine. (Have your filling in a small dish next to your batter as you’ll need it quickly once you start cooking the ebelskivers.)

Once the pan is hot, place a small dollop of butter about the size of a chocolate chip into each indent of the pan. Using a spoon, fill each dip in the pan about halfway with the batter -- about 1 tablespoon of batter, depending on the size of your pan. Using another spoon, place a small dollop of the filling into the center of each indent on the pan, leaving a ring of batter all around it to enclose it in the pancake. Top each indent off with another small dollop of batter, another tablespoon or so.

Allow the pancakes to cook for about 3-4 minutes, until light golden brown on the outside (you can check them by lifting them up with a skewer, teaspoon or the tip of a knife).

Using two skewers, teaspoons, or paring knives, flip each pancake over in its indent to cook the other side. Allow the pancakes to cook for another 3-4 minutes, and then remove them to a plate until you’re ready to serve them.

Continue the above process until you’ve used up all of the batter. Serve up the ebelskivers as soon as they’re finished cooking with a dusting of powdered sugar, if you like.