Aebleskiver pan

An aebleskiver pan, called a munkepanne or munkejern in Norwegian, has rounded wells for small batter cakes. Each well shapes a separate cake. Unlike an ordinary waffle iron, it does not have two patterned plates that close together. The shape and depth of the wells are therefore useful identifying features.

Munkepanner appear in Norwegian collections of older kitchen equipment. Both the Onsøy collection and a guided account of Høvåg Museum describe the tool within kitchen settings. The type also remains in modern production. Le Creuset, for example, presents an enamelled cast-iron version. A traditional appearance therefore does not make a pan an antique.

For a second-hand example, record the number of wells, base, handle, measurements and any cast marks. Check cracks, repairs and surface condition. Distinguish bare iron from an enamelled surface in the description. Do not attribute an unmarked pan to a Norwegian foundry solely because it resembles a familiar model; compare it with securely documented examples.

Sources: Onsøy Historielag: Onsøy-samlingen; Agderkultur: Høvåg museum, omvisning 2005; Le Creuset: Munkepanne støpejern; Skeppshult: Aebleskiver pan.