Today, we're diving into the world of homemade perfect popovers, presenting you with the ultimate recipe to create these airy, golden-brown delights in the comfort of your own kitchen. Get ready to elevate your baking game with our foolproof method that guarantees the best popovers every time.
4Large Eggsat room temperature or warmed in warm water before cracking
1/2TeaspoonSaltadjust as needed
3TablespoonsButtermelted
Cooking sprayfor greasing the popover tin
Instructions
Prepare the Popover Batter
Using a Bowl and Whisk
In a mixing bowl, whisk the milk and eggs until they are well combined. There should not be any streaks of yolk showing.
1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour, 1 1/2 Cups milk, 4 Large Eggs, 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, 3 Tablespoons Butter
Add the flour and salt and continue whisking till frothy; there shouldn't be any large lumps in the batter. Smaller lumps are okay, but the batter should be relatively smooth.
Finally, add the melted butter and whisk again until fully incorporated.
Using a Blender
Using a blender add the milk, eggs, and salt. Blend until smooth. Then add the flour and blend in 20 second increments until smooth. Then add the melted butter at the end, blending until frothy.
Let the batter rest at room temperature while the oven preheats. Ideally about 15 minutes. This resting period allows the batter to develop and ensures light and airy popovers.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Position a rack on a lower shelf. By placing your oven rack in the lower third of the oven, you have room for the popovers to rise to the middle of the oven. It's crucial to have a hot oven for perfect popovers.
While the batter is resting and the oven is preheating, generously coat a popover tin or custard cups with cooking spray. Place the greased tin or cups on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
Cooking spray
Use a standard 12-cup muffin pan, one whose cups are close to 2 1/2" wide x 1 1/2" deep. Make sure to generously grease the area between the cups as well as the cups themselves. The sides and bottom of each cup. Ideally, use a popover tin or custard cups with cooking spray. This prevents the popovers from sticking and helps them achieve their signature shape.
After the batter has rested, give it a quick stir. Fill each cup of the popover tin about two-thirds full with the batter. Be careful not to overfill, as the popovers will rise dramatically during baking.
High Heat Bake. Place the filled popover tin in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes at 450°F (230°C). Do not open the oven door during baking, as this can cause the popovers to deflate.
Lower Heat Bake. After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the popovers are golden brown and puffed up.
Once baked, remove the popovers from the oven and immediately transfer them to a wire rack. Pierce the sides of each popover with a sharp knife to release steam and help prevent them from becoming soggy.
Serve the popovers hot, with melted butter or beef drippings if desired. They're best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.
Butter Pairings: Elevate Your Popovers with Delicious Spreads
When it comes to serving popovers, there are several delicious options for accompanying butter. Ultimately, the choice of butter depends on your personal preference and the flavor profile you want to achieve. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, there's a buttery accompaniment that will perfectly complement the light and fluffy texture of homemade popovers. Here are a few suggestions:
Plain Butter
Classic unsalted or salted butter is always a popular choice. Allow the butter to soften slightly at room temperature before serving, making it easier to spread onto the warm popovers.
Herb Butter
Elevate the flavor of your popovers by serving them with herb butter. Simply mix softened butter with finely chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, thyme, or rosemary. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of garlic powder for extra flavor.
Honey Butter
For a sweet and indulgent twist, whip up a batch of honey butter. Combine softened butter with honey to taste, adjusting the sweetness according to your preference. This creamy spread adds a touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the light, airy texture of popovers. • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened • 1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste)
Cinnamon Sugar Butter
Indulge your sweet tooth with cinnamon sugar butter. Mix softened butter with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar until well combined. Spread this decadent mixture onto warm popovers for a delightful treat reminiscent of cinnamon rolls. • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened • 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste) • 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (adjust to taste)
Compound Flavored Butter
Experiment with different flavor combinations to find your favorite pairing for popovers. Take your butter game to the next level by mixing softened butter with a variety of savory or sweet ingredients such as cheese, bacon, nuts, or fruits. Or make flavored butters by adding roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, or citrus zest. Roll the mixture into a log, chill until firm, and slice into rounds to serve alongside popovers.• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softenedChoose your desired flavorings from the following options (you can use one or a combination of ingredients):• 2-3 cloves roasted garlic, mashed • 2-3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, or chives) • 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (such as pecans, almonds, or walnuts) • 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes • Zest of one lemon or limeEnjoy experimenting with different flavors to find your favorite combination.