Buttermilk Koldskal (Danish Cold Buttermilk Dessert)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Vanilla: Extract Easy

Buttermilk Koldskal (Danish Cold Buttermilk Dessert)

A tangy, lightly sweet chilled buttermilk soup flavored with vanilla and lemon and topped with crumbled crisp biscuits. It is a Danish summer favorite. Makes 6 bowls in about 2 hr 15 min.

Prep 15 min

Cook —

Cooling 2 hr

Total 2 hr 15 min

Yield 6 bowls

Ingredients

Adjust yield

bowls

3 (54 g)pasteurized egg yolks
¼ cup (50 g)granulated sugar
9 tbsp (140 g)sour cream
1 tsp (5 ml)vanilla extract
4 ¼ cups (1000 ml)buttermilk, cold
1 ½ tsp (3 g)lemon zest
2 tbsp (30 ml)lemon juice
½ cup (60 g)crisp lemon-cardamom cookies, crumbled

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Instructions

Whisk the pasteurized egg yolks and sugar until light and slightly thick.
Whisk in the sour cream and vanilla.
Slowly whisk in the buttermilk until smooth, with no lumps.
Stir in the lemon zest, then whisk in the lemon juice slowly so it does not curdle.
Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Ladle into chilled bowls and top with the crumbled cookies right before serving.

Tips

Use pasteurized yolks (or leave them out) because they are not cooked.
Add the buttermilk slowly for a smooth texture.
Add the cookies at the last moment so they stay crisp.
Raw egg yolks are not cooked here, so use pasteurized yolks or omit them, and keep the dessert refrigerated at 40 F (4 C) or below.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make buttermilk koldskal (danish cold buttermilk dessert)?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep, plus 2 hours to chill. The recipe makes 6 bowls.

How should I store buttermilk koldskal (danish cold buttermilk dessert)?

Refrigerate, covered, up to 2 days; stir before serving.

Can I make buttermilk koldskal (danish cold buttermilk dessert) ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

A chilled Danish summer dessert soup of buttermilk, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla, often served with small crisp biscuits. Serve it with fresh strawberries.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 6 servings this recipe makes.

183 Calories / serving

8.5g Fat

19.4g Carbs

7.8g Protein

17.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (6 servings): ~1098 cal · 51g fat · 116g carbs · 47g protein · 107g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.