How to Make Popovers in a Muffin Tin

Popovers are delicate, hollow rolls that are similar to Yorkshire pudding. They're a wonderful accompaniment to holiday meals! The best popovers have crisp, golden exteriors and delicate, soft interiors. While many recipes call for dedicated popover pans, there’s absolutely no reason to purchase special equipment, especially if you’ll be making them infrequently. For an easy kitchen hack, you can make perfect popovers in standard muffin tins. This recipe makes easy, classic popovers, and it also includes an option for cheese. Stirring a bit of shredded cheese into the batter just before baking creates popovers that are even more savory and delicious.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

These rolls are known as "popovers" because they rise somewhat dramatically above the pan, much more so than standard muffins. For this reason, you will need two standard 12-cup muffin pans (not minis) so that you can leave an empty space between each popover.
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)
Tip

    Whole milk will yield best results, but 2% or 1% milk will still work. For a bit of added decadence, try swapping out 1/4 cup of the milk with cream.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheets

Place an oven rack on the lowest shelf and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Very thoroughly grease 10 of the muffin cups with butter (baking spray will also work), alternating spots to allow room for the popovers to "pop over." Pour 1 to 2 inches of water into the unused cups to protect the pan from warping.
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)
Warning

    If the popovers get stuck to the pan, they are almost impossible to remove without breaking due to their hollow shape. To prevent this, make sure to butter the pan very well, including buttering slightly over the tops of the cups.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Add the melted butter, milk, flour, salt, sugar and eggs to a blender. Turn the machine on low to combine the ingredients, and then slowly turn the speed up to high. Puree for approximately 20 to 30 seconds until the batter is smooth and frothy. There should be no lumps.
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)
Step 4: Divide the Batter and Bake the Popovers

Measure approximately 1/4 cup batter into the greased muffin cups. For cheesy popovers, stir 1 tablespoon of cheese into each cup, mixing with the batter. Place both pans into the oven next to one another on the same shelf (they can be baked in two batches if both pans don't fit at once).

Bake for 25 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then lower the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Remove the muffin pans from the oven.
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)

Carefully remove the popovers from the pan and serve immediately. Whether they’re plain or cheesy, popovers are a fantastic addition to any holiday meal.

How To Warm Up Brie Cheese

Brie is a soft French cheese that is wonderful when served melted. However, it can be difficult to find that perfect balance between under and over-baking. If you remove brie from the oven too soon, it will only stay melted for a few minutes. On the other hand, if it is left in the oven too long it will lose it's beautiful shape and become difficult to handle. Luckily, there's a method for getting it just right!

 
Step 1: Select the Perfect Brie

There are a variety of brie options on the market and any of them will technically work. Eight-ounce "double cream" yields excellent results (triple cream can result in melted brie that is too runny).
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)
Tip

    For best results, allow the brie to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking. While this is not an essential step, it will ensure that the cheese melts evenly all the way through.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, slice off the very top of the cheese. Leave most of the outer white rind in place; it will keep the melted cheese from spreading.
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)
Step 3: Bake the Cheese

Set the brie on the prepared baking sheet and place in the oven. After 12 to 13 minutes, turn on the oven light and begin to check on the cheese. It should be starting to bubble on top.
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)

Once it's bubbling on top you can take the cheese out of the oven to serve at this point and it will be perfectly melted through.
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)

However, the sooner you remove the brie from the oven, the sooner it will begin cooling off. The trick is to leave it in the oven for as long as possible before the wheel begins to lose it's shape. The photo below shows what the wheel looks like after approximately 17 to 18 minutes. Still delicious, but the presentation isn't as nice and it's difficult to transfer from the baking sheet.
(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)
Tip

    For best results, aim for somewhere between 14 to 16 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 4: Add Optional Toppings

Brie tastes wonderful with a mix of both savory and sweet toppings. Try drizzling some maple syrup on top and then adding salted, toasted nuts and dried cranberries for a bit of crunch and tartness.

Baked Cranberry Meatballs

Slightly sweet and tart cranberries are perfect in both sweet and savory dishes. This unique recipe is a little bit of both. These meatballs are moist, flavorful, and covered in a vibrant cranberry based barbecue sauce. I typically serve them as an appetizer, but feel free to add a hearty side, like mashed potatoes, and make them into a full meal.

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic, egg, cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and panko. Slowly add the water, a few tablespoons at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape when rolled into meatballs.
(Image: Ashley Manila)
(Image: Ashley Manila)
Step 2

Scoop two tablespoons of meat into your palm and roll them into a firm ball, place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all meat.
(Image: Ashley Manila)
Step 3

Bake meatballs for 20 to 22 minutes, or until they're cooked through.

While the meatballs bake, make your cranberry barbecue sauce. Add cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce to a small saucepan over medium-heat. Cook, whisking frequently, until cranberry sauce has completely dissolved into the barbecue sauce -- about 5 minutes.

When the meatballs are done cooking, add them to the sauce and stir to coat.
(Image: Ashley Manila)
Step 4

Serve warm and enjoy!