North German Pancake Balls

Norddeutsche Förtchen - Poffertjes
There are many recipes for these delicious little pancake balls that are called Förtchen in Northern Germany, Nonnenfürzchen or Nonnenfürzlein Southern Germany. The Danish call them Aebelskiver, the Dutch Poffertjes. Especially popular around Christmas, they are perfect year round. This recipe uses yeast as the rising agent; others rely on baking powder.
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Region Germany, Denmark, Netherlands
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 5 eggs
  • 18 oz flour 500g
  • 1-1/2 dried yeast packets 30g
  • 2 cups milk 500ml
  • 1/4 cup sugar 50g
  • 1 pinch salt
  • butter or oil, for the pan

Instructions

  • Beat the 5 eggs until frothy, then add the flour. Stir the yeast into lukewarm milk and add to the egg and flour mixture.
  • Add sugar to the egg flour, add vanilla sugar and salt. Mix everything well. Let rise for about 20-30 minutes at room temperature
  • You need need a Pförtchenpfanne or Dutch Ableskiver pan to make the balls properly. They are available online and at kitchen stores.
  • Heat the pan on medium, grease the individual cavities with butter or oil with oil. Fill each cavity about 3/4 full and bake until golden brown. As they bake, turn each pancake ball with a meat fork or other tool so they are round and evenly baked.
  • Serve with powdered sugar. Also delicious with filled with apple sauce or spiced apples, plum jam, cherries, eggnog, Nutella, and so forth.
Adapted from Chefkoch.de

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Related cookware:

Ebelskiver Pan

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