Simple Popovers for Easter

Easter is tomorrow! What does Easter represent for you? 

Is it all about chocolate bunnies, baked hams, and sugar coated techno-color marshmallow shaped chicks? 

Or is it about gathering with family to eat a large meal? 

Or just sitting in the sunshine watching kids search for Easter eggs?

My family celebrated Easter as a child, even though I was born and raised a Buddhist, I still got to participate in the Easter egg hunts, dying of the Easter eggs, and of course those grossly colored marshmallow shaped chicks called Peeps. That for whatever reason were my favorite.


Easter was also a time when we gathered at my grandparents with my aunts and uncles and cousins. It was a simple time for me. Lots of chocolate, lots of hugs, and even more sugar than our parents knew how to keep us away from!
 
Our meals always included some type of potluck theme. Everyone would pitch in, but my grandma usually made the juicy ham. I remember one year making Popovers with my mom to bring to the dinner. She must have found the recipe in some magazine and it seemed easy enough to her.

Being the interested mini-chef that I was, I volunteered to help and what ensued was nothing short of hilarity. I remember the first batch fell. It was my fault because I kept opening the oven door. Note: Don't do that.

Ruined, we moved on to the second batch which my mom let me measure out. I must have done something horribly wrong with the measuring because the batter was thick and the Popovers never really 'popped'. They looked more like hockey pucks after baking.

Determined, we tried for a third and final time. Thank Goddess my mother was so patient. And the third time was a charm. They turned out light, fluffy, and puffed up with air.

The keys to great Popovers that we learned the hard way are:

• Beat the batter just enough, but don't over do it,
• Let the oven come to temperature with the muffin tin (or tins) in the oven to heat them too (just be careful removing them from the oven to avoid burning yourself),
• Only fill the muffin tins half full (this leaves room for the 'popping'). 
• And last but not least, DO NOT open the oven door until the timer goes off!

That Easter I remember there not being a Popover left after dinner. They are the perfect light and fluffy compliment to a juicy ham dinner. A great and easy side to bring to your Easter pot luck! Just follow our keys to success!

If you're doing a low key Easter this year or just looking for something easy to serve your family the day before Easter, these Popovers also go great with the Creamy Tomato Bisque (for the recipe click HERE). Nothing like a warm bowl of soup with a warm Popover!
 
Now, on with the recipe! 

I hope you all have a sugar-filled, chocolate coated Easter!

Simple Popovers

3 Tbsp. Smart Balance Butter; melted
1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Cups 1% Milk
4 Large Eggs
1/2 tsp. Salt

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and place a clean muffin tin into the oven to allow it to heat as well. This will help give your popovers extra fluff and airiness.

2. In a large bowl whisk together the butter, flour, milk, eggs, and salt. Don't over mix, you just want the batter to be thin and smooth. It slightly resembles a pancake batter, only just a little bit thinner.

3. Remove muffin tin from the oven carefully and pour the batter into the muffin cups until they are half full. I got a little over zealous with mine, but they still worked. 
 
4. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Don't even think about opening the oven door before 30 minutes to check! The popovers with collapse! Serve immediately! 
 
Servings: 12

Nutritional Skinny:

98 calories / 3.2 g fat / 13 g carbohydrates / .25 g fiber / 5 g protein

Mental Health Benefit: These popovers only have five ingredients! Would could be better for your mental health than that! I know I'm always searching for easy things to make and bring to friend's houses when we're asked over for dinner or lunch. These are perfect because I almost guarantee that you already have all the ingredients on hand. These are great served with a brunch slathered with Homemade Apple Butter (for the recipe click HERE) or you can add cheese, chives, and crispy cooked bacon to the batter for a savory treat! 

Happy Easter Y'All!