Popovers are a delightful, hollow bread roll made from a simple batter of eggs, milk, and flour. This vintage recipe, dated 1937 and attributed to "Mrs. Frageno," reflects Depression-era ingenuity, simple ingredients, big results. The light, airy texture and crisp exterior make them a perfect pairing for breakfast with jam or as a savory dinner roll. Their name comes from the way they "pop over" the sides of the muffin tin as they bake.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs (beaten until creamy)
- 1 cup milk
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup sifted flour
- Butter or oil (for greasing muffin tin)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Batter
- In a medium bowl, beat eggs until creamy.
- Add milk and salt, stirring until combined.
- Gradually add sifted flour while beating until smooth and lump-free.
Step 2: Preheat and Grease
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place muffin tin in oven while it preheats.
- Remove tin, quickly brush each cup with oil or butter.
Step 3: Fill and Bake
- Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter.
- Bake in the moderate oven for about 30 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
- Do not open the oven during baking to prevent collapsing.
Tips
- Preheat the tins thoroughly; popovers rise best when the pan is very hot.
- Use butter, oil, or beef drippings to grease tins for different flavors.
- Let the batter rest 10 minutes for a smoother rise.
- Do NOT open the oven during baking, this causes collapse.
- Add 1 to 2 tbsp melted butter to the batter for richer popovers.
- For savory popovers, add herbs like chives or thyme.
- For sweet popovers, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar after baking.
- Substitute half the milk with cream for extra-tall, custardy interiors.
- Serve immediately, popovers deflate as they cool.
- Bake in a cast-iron popover pan for the most dramatic height.
Nutrition
Calories: 91kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 49mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 110IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 0.3mg
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