Popovers

Over-the-Top Popovers

Makes 6 standard or 10 small popovers This basic recipe makes 6 large popovers in a standard popover pan or 10 smaller ones in a mini popover, standard muffin tin or ½ cup custard cups.
Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
Cooking time: 35-40 minutes (small popovers), 45-50 minutes (standard popovers)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups nonfat, whole or low-fat milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, optional
• Pan spray
• Butter or seasoned butter for serving

Directions:

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan until bubbles appear around the edges of the pan. Or, heat in a microwave until hot, but not boiling.
2. Mix the eggs in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer or stand mixer using the paddle or whisk attachment at medium speed. Or mix by hand with a whisk, in a blender or a food processor until frothy. While mixing, gradually pour in the hot milk.
3. Whisk together the flour, sugar and salt in a small bowl; add to the egg mixture and blend at low speed until thoroughly incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed. Mix in the melted butter, if using.
4. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
5. When ready to bake, position a rack in the middle or lower third of the oven. Preheat a conventional oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, a convection oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the popover pan, standard muffin tin, or custard cups in the oven for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the oven and spray the sides and top edges of cups with pan spray.
6. Whisk the batter well and divide among the cups, filling about 3/4th full. Bake until puffed and deeply browned, 35-40 minutes for small popovers, or 45-50 minutes for standard ones. The longer the popovers bake, the less they will deflate. If they are browning unevenly the last 10 minutes, rotate the pan.
7. Remove the popovers from the pan and serve immediately. For crisper popovers, remove rimmed baking sheet where they can be held uncovered for up to 4 hours. Before serving preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and reheat the popovers for 3-5 minutes, or until hot and crisp. Serve with the desired butter.