Description
Popover perfection emerges from simple ingredients, creating a light and airy pastry marvel. Golden-crusted clouds of buttery goodness will make breakfast or brunch companions cheer with culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 beaten eggs
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (plus additional butter for greasing the pan)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
- Prepare ingredients by bringing them to room temperature. Gently warm the milk in the microwave until it reaches a tepid state, and soft-boil the eggs in a saucepan with simmering water, topping up liquid if necessary.
- Create the popover batter by whisking together flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually incorporate the lukewarm milk and melted butter, stirring until a smooth consistency forms.
- Carefully fold in the beaten eggs, mixing gently to prevent overmixing. The batter should remain light and airy with minimal lumps.
- Generously coat a popover pan or muffin tin with butter, ensuring complete coverage of the interior surfaces.
- Place the buttered pan into the preheated oven for 3-5 minutes to create an intense heat that will help the popovers rise dramatically.
- Swiftly remove the heated pan and quickly pour the batter into the hot, buttered cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
- Immediately return the pan to the oven and reduce the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
- Bake for 35-40 minutes without opening the oven door, as sudden temperature changes can cause the popovers to deflate.
- Once golden brown and dramatically puffed, remove from the oven and serve immediately for maximum height and crisp exterior.
Notes
- Cold ingredients can cause dense, flat popovers that lack the signature rise.
- Room temperature eggs, milk, and butter create a smoother, more consistent batter.
- Whisk ingredients thoroughly but gently to incorporate air without overdeveloping gluten.
- Use a blender or immersion blender for ultra-smooth mixing without tough protein strands.
- Let batter rest briefly to allow flour to absorb liquid and relax gluten networks.
- Metal pan conducts heat faster than ceramic, creating crispier popover edges.
- Cast iron or heavy metal muffin tins work best for dramatic vertical rise.
- High initial oven temperature creates instant steam, pushing batter upward dramatically.
- Lower temperature after first 15 minutes prevents burning while continuing interior cooking.
- Minimal pan movement prevents disrupting the delicate rising process.
- Position rack in center of oven for most consistent heat distribution.
- Watch carefully during final minutes to catch perfect golden-brown color.
- Serve immediately after baking to enjoy maximum height and crisp texture.
- Popovers deflate quickly, so time serving strategically for best presentation.
- Leftover popovers can be briefly reheated at 350°F for restored crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg