Perfect Christmas Popovers — The Dramatic Bread Side

Popovers are the dramatic bread side. They rise spectacularly. Hollow inside; buttery. Perfect with roasted meats.

The classic recipe (makes 6)

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Butter for pan

Method

1. Preheat oven to 425°F
2. Heavily butter popover pan or muffin tin
3. Place in oven 5 minutes to heat
4. Whisk eggs + milk
5. Whisk in flour + salt + melted butter
6. Pour into hot pan (2/3 full)
7. Bake 20 minutes at 425°F
8. Reduce to 350°F; bake 15-20 more minutes
9. Don't open oven door
10. Serve immediately

The secrets

Hot pan essential

• Heat the pan first
• Creates the rise

Room temperature ingredients

• Eggs at room temp
• Milk at room temp
• Better rise

Don't peek

• Opening oven = collapse
• Wait full time

Variations

Yorkshire pudding (the British classic)

• Same recipe
• Use beef drippings instead of butter
• Serve with roast beef

Cheese popovers

• Add 1/2 cup grated Gruyère
• Cheesy version

Herb popovers

• Add fresh thyme; rosemary
• Aromatic

Cross-references

For perfect Yorkshire pudding — adjacent.

For perfect Christmas dinner rolls — adjacent.

For perfect Christmas roast beef — pairs.

For perfect prime rib — pairs.

Perfect Christmas popovers are the dramatic bread side. Hot pan; room temp ingredients; don't peek. The bread that rises 4 inches and steals the show.