Popovers

I tried a new yeast bread recipe last week that sounded promising--it's a 90-minute sandwich bread from Cook's Illustrated. Although I make sourdough bread regularly we do sometimes run out and I like the idea of a yeast bread that I can make quickly. Unfortunately the effects of elevation were disappointing--the loaf fell significantly. The flavor was good but the texture left a bit to be desired. Someday I will figure out a high altitude version of this recipe, but I don't have a lot of time for recipe testing at the moment! I feel quite depressed about baking in the mountains, and I am frustrated that so many of my favorite recipe sources are based at sea level.

So the last couple of times I've baked, I've turned to Susan Purdy's Pie in the Sky. Following the guidelines for 5,000 feet I've learned from experience that I can trust these recipes to avoid altitude baking problems. Here's a nice, quick recipe for popovers, which I haven't eaten much in my life. They are eggy, chewy, and light, and so reminiscent of oven pancakes that Michael calls them baby Dutch babies.

after cooling

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High Altitude Popovers

for approximately 5,000 feet above sea level

Source: Pie in the Sky: Successful Baking at High Altitudes by Susan G. Purdy
Yields 12 popovers in a muffin tin

1 c all-purpose flour
1/2 teas salt
1 teas sugar
3 large eggs
1 c whole milk
1 T unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

Position the oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 450F. Grease the muffin tin with nonstick spray.

Whisk the flour, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl. Form a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the eggs, milk, and melted butter. Blend together the wet ingredients, then mix completely with the dry ingredients until combined.

Fill the muffin tin with batter, no more than half-full for each cup. Bake at 450F for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350F for another 10 minutes. The popovers should be puffy, golden brown and crisp. Place the muffin tin on a wire rack to cool, or serve immediately.