Aebleskivers (Danish Ball Pancakes)

This is a Danish tradition that requires a special kind of pan. We recently purchased a monk's pan at Williams-Sonoma and have started a new tradition of serving aebleskivers for special holidays.

4 separated eggs
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour
oil or lard

Beat egg whites until stiff; set aside. Beat rest of ingredients until batter is very smooth. Fold in egg whites. Heat [at a moderate temperature] a well-seasoned monk's pan (see tip below) with 1/8 teaspoon oil or lard in each of the 7 holes. Fill each hole [about three-quarters full] with batter. [Be sure to add a few drops of oil to each well in the pan before the next round of batter.]
When browned on one side (almost right away), turn with knitting needle [or two-tined fork] and keep turning until needle comes out clean after piercing through the cake. [We find that you need to turn these only once.]

Serve with flavored butters, such as maple or cinnamon honey, syrup, jam and brown or white sugar. Tips: You can purchase a cast iron monk's pan at Scandinavia gift shops or at small town hardware stores in Danish communities. As for servings, plan on each person eating 7-10 cakes. Makes approximately 48 pancakes.

recipe source: Lindgren's B&B on Lake Superior