Golden Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter Recipe

Fluffy Cornmeal Popovers: Golden Recipe with Herb Honey Butter

Southern kitchens buzz with warmth when golden cornmeal popovers emerge from the oven, filling every corner with irresistible aromas.

These light and airy delights surprise hungry guests with their delicate texture and golden-brown edges.

Crisp outside and tender inside, the popovers showcase a rustic charm that beckons everyone to the table.

Soft herbed honey butter melts luxuriously across each steaming popover, creating a symphony of flavors.

Simple ingredients transform into something magical with just a few careful steps.

Home cooks can easily master this spectacular side dish that elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Prepare to savor a culinary experience that celebrates classic Southern comfort.

Supplies Needed For Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter

  • Popover Pan or Muffin Tin: Essential for creating tall, puffy popovers with crisp edges.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending dry and wet ingredients smoothly without lumps.
  • Large Mixing Bowls: Two bowls needed – one for dry ingredients, another for wet mixture.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Small Bowl: Used for mixing herb honey butter.
  • Spatula: Helpful for scraping batter and mixing butter.
  • Oven: Required for baking popovers at specific temperatures.

How To Bake Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 425F and grab your popover pan or muffin tin.

  • Whip Together the Batter

Blend flour, cornmeal, and salt in one bowl. In another, mix milk, eggs, melted butter, and honey until silky smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry and whisk until everything looks creamy and lump-free. Let the batter relax for 10 minutes.

  • Prepare the Baking Vessel

Pop the empty pan into the hot oven for 5 minutes. Give each cup a quick spray of cooking oil or butter rub.

  • Create Puffy Magic

Fill each cup halfway with your waiting batter. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then drop the temperature to 375F and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the popovers turn golden and dramatically puff up.

  • Craft Flavor-Packed Butter

Mash softened butter with honey, thyme, salt, and black pepper until it becomes a creamy dream. Stash in the fridge until serving time.

  • Serve with Flair

Pull out the crispy, golden popovers and dollop them with the herbed honey butter. These beauties are perfect alongside roasted meats, hearty soups, or a dollop of fruity jam.

Useful Tips For Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter

  • Temperature Precision: Keep oven temperature consistent and use an accurate oven thermometer to ensure perfect popover rise and golden exterior.
  • Batter Rest Magic: Allow batter to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, which helps develop gluten and creates airier, more dramatic popovers.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum for structure and better texture.
  • Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary, sage, or chives in the honey butter for unique taste profiles that complement various meal styles.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk, and use coconut oil instead of butter to create a delicious lactose-free version of this classic recipe.

Serving Suggestions For Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter

  • Golden Morning Brunch Companion: Pair these fluffy cornmeal popovers with a light fresh fruit salad for a delightful breakfast experience.
  • Savory Dinner Side Kick: Serve alongside roasted chicken or herb-crusted beef to complement rich main course flavors and add textural contrast.
  • Afternoon Tea Treat: Spread extra herb honey butter on slightly cooled popovers and enjoy with a warm cup of chamomile or Earl Grey tea for a relaxing midday snack.
  • Rustic Picnic Perfect: Pack these portable popovers in a basket with additional honey butter for an elegant outdoor dining option that feels both fancy and casual.

How To Keep Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter Fresh

  • Quick Cooling Strategy: Let popovers rest for 2-3 minutes after removing from oven to stabilize their delicate structure and prevent potential burning.
  • Refrigeration Technique: Store cooled herb honey butter in an airtight container for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator.
  • Batter Preparation Tip: Make popover batter ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, ensuring ingredients are brought to room temperature before baking for optimal rising.
  • Leftover Revival Method: Reheat remaining popovers in a 350F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and warm, soft interior, avoiding microwave to maintain texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Use In Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter

For Popover Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates light, airy structure for delicate texture.
  • Cornmeal: Adds delightful golden crunch and rustic Southern charm.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For Liquid Ingredients:
  • Whole Milk: Provides rich, creamy foundation for tender popovers.
  • Large Eggs: Binds ingredients and supports dramatic rising action.
  • Unsalted Butter: Delivers silky richness and helps create crisp edges.
  • Honey: Introduces subtle sweetness and golden caramelization.
For Herb Honey Butter:
  • Softened Butter: Creamy canvas for herbal infusion.
  • Fresh Thyme: Introduces earthy, aromatic complexity.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle kick.
  • Honey: Softens herb's intensity with natural sweetness.
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Golden Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter Recipe

Golden Cornmeal Popovers With Herb Honey Butter


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4.9 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Cornmeal popovers with herb honey butter bring Southern comfort to your table. Crisp edges, pillowy centers, and herbal butter create a delightful companion for any meal you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ¾ cup (177 ml) whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (30 g) fine cornmeal
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp honey or sugar (optional)
  • ½ tsp baking powder (optional)
  • 4 tbsps (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp fresh thyme (or rosemary, parsley, or chives)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Dry Mixture Preparation: Whisk cornmeal, flour, and salt in a large mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
  2. Liquid Fusion: Blend milk, eggs, melted butter, and honey in a separate container, whisking into a smooth emulsion.
  3. Batter Creation: Gradually merge wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently to eliminate lumps and create a silky batter; let rest for 10 minutes.
  4. Oven Preheating: Position popover pan or muffin tin in the oven, heating to 425F (220C) for 5 minutes to establish optimal cooking environment.
  5. Pan Preparation: Lightly coat each cup with butter or cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
  6. Baking Process: Fill cups halfway with batter, then bake at 425F (220C) for 15 minutes; reduce temperature to 375F (190C) and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes until popovers achieve golden, dramatically puffed appearance.
  7. Herb Honey Butter: While popovers bake, whip softened butter with honey, thyme, salt, and black pepper until creamy; briefly refrigerate to enhance flavor and texture.
  8. Serving: Remove popovers from oven, let rest momentarily, and serve warm accompanied by a generous dollop of herb honey butter; optionally pair with roasted meats, hearty soups, or fruit preserve.

Notes

  • Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for cornmeal and flour to ensure light, airy popovers with perfect texture.
  • Preheat Thoroughly: Heat the popover pan or muffin tin for exactly 5 minutes to create the dramatic rise and crispy exterior.
  • Rest the Batter: Allow 10-minute resting period to help ingredients combine and develop deeper flavor complexity.
  • Temperature Control: Start at high heat (425F) then reduce to moderate heat (375F) for optimal rising and golden-brown finish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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