Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (2024)

By

Elaine Lemm

Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (1)

Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.

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Updated on 12/6/23

Tested by

Danilo Alfaro

Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (2)

Tested byDanilo Alfaro

Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks.

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Prep: 45 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 65 mins

Servings: 6 servings

866 ratings

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In the U.K., the word pudding (or "pud") means something totally different than in America. Rather than just a creamy dessert, pudding can refer to sweet and savory dishes of all different kinds, from black pudding to sticky toffee pudding. Yorkshire puddings are almost identical to American popovers, with crispy edges and a creamy center.

Light and fluffy as soufflés, Yorkshire pudding is made of a runny batter with eggs, milk, and flour that is whisked together before resting. Fat such as beef drippings, bacon grease, or lard is added to the hot pan before the batter. Thanks to the eggs and the high heat, the batter puffs up in the hot oven, leaving the signature crater in the middle.

Enjoy Traditionally...Or Not!

Yorkshire pudding shouldn't be reserved just for Christmas dinner. This recipe is simple enough for any weekend meal. Yorkshire pudding is traditionally served with gravy as a starter dish followed by the main dish, or alongside roast beef or similar meat for a dinner spread. Large Yorkshire puddings are filled with things like chili or sausage and served as popular pub food. You can also enjoy it as a dessert and top it with vanilla ice cream.

Tips for Perfectly Risen, Crispy Puds

  • Rest and Chill—Make sure your batter is well-rested for perfect puddings that are tender on the inside.
  • Smokin' Hot—The fat in the baking pan should be so hot it's smoking.
  • Don't Dilly Dally—Once you've poured the batter into the smoking hot fat, return the pan to the hot oven immediately to get the crispiest, lightest puddings.
  • The Best Fats—Some swear by vegetable oil, but this can make the puddings greasy and it doesn't add flavor. It's best to use lard, beef drippings, bacon fat or duck fat.

The Equal Parts Method

  • Note that the ingredient list calls for 4 eggs, 1 cup milk and 1 cup flour. You're aiming for equal parts of all three ingredients and should scale ingredients up or down to ensure this. To do so...
  • First: Crack your eggs into a measuring cup to determine their total volume.
  • Then: Measure out amounts of milk and flour in equal parts (by volume) to the eggs.
  • Measuring the ingredients this way ensures the correct consistency for your batter no matter the size of the batch you're making.

Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (6)

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 pinch fine salt

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons lard, beef drippings, or vegetable oil

  • 2 tablespoons cold water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 450 F/230 C.

    Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (7)

  2. Combine 4 large eggs, 1 cup milk, and 1 pinch fine salt in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly with an electric hand mixer or hand whisk. Let stand for 10 minutes.

    Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (8)

  3. Gradually sift 1 cup all-purpose flour into the milk and egg mixture, again using an electric hand mixer or whisk to create a lump-free batter resembling thick cream. If there are any lumps, push the batter through a fine sieve.

    Let the batter rest in the kitchen for a minimum of 30 minutes, longer if possible (up to several hours).

    Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (9)

  4. Place a pea-sized piece of lard, dripping, or 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil into each opening in a Yorkshire pudding tin. Alternatively, use a 12-hole muffin tin. Place in the hot oven until the fat is smoking.

    Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (10)

  5. Add 2 tablespoons cold water to the batter and give it another good whisk. Fill the openings in the tin 1/3 full with batter and return quickly to the oven.

    Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (11)

  6. Bake approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown, puffed, and crisp. Repeat until all the batter is used up.

    Serve immediately.

    Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (12)

How To Store

Yorkshire puddings are best right after they're baked, but you can refrigerate extras in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze them in a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 1 month. Reheat them in a 350 F oven for 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
179Calories
8g Fat
18g Carbs
8g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories179
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g10%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 130mg43%
Sodium 88mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 18g7%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 73mg6%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 129mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings Every Time with this Traditional Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making Yorkshire puddings rise? ›

There is a secret to every Yorkshire pudding recipe when it comes to getting Yorkshire puddings to rise properly. In fact there are two. The first is to let the batter rest once you've mixed and the second is to heat your tin and beef dripping so it's piping hot when you do pour the batter in.

What is the tradition of Yorkshire pudding? ›

It was originally cooked in northern England over a fire with the meat roasting above it. The fats and juices from the meat would drip into the pudding and provide flavour and colour. Traditionally, the word “pudding” referred to homely and rustic desserts that were commonly eaten by the lower classes.

What is the traditional way to eat Yorkshire pudding? ›

Yorkshire pudding is a delicious and versatile accompaniment to many savoury meals. Traditionally, it is eaten on Sunday as part of a meal of roasted meat, roast potatoes, gravy and vegetables.

What is Yorkshire pudding called in America? ›

History. The popover is an American version of Yorkshire pudding and similar batter puddings made in England since the 17th century, The oldest known reference to popovers dates to 1850. The first cookbook to print a recipe for popovers was in 1876.

Does an extra egg help Yorkshire puddings rise? ›

If you want to go Instagram-ready with sky-high fluffy Yorkshires, add an extra egg white to your batter. They'll tower over the competition. With that in mind, always make sure your Yorkshire puddings have room to rise in the oven.

Why aren t my Yorkshire puddings fluffy? ›

One of the main reasons why Yorkshires don't rise is because the oil isn't hot enough, so make sure it's bubbling and sizzling as you pour your batter in. Make sure you aren't over-filling the tin – fill each hole about a third or halfway up, any more and they may collapse through the weight of batter.

Why don't you have Yorkshire puddings at Christmas? ›

Despite often being considered a Christmas staple, they've only been around since the 1950s. So I would say, why not include the Yorkshire pudding, food trends are always changing and modernising. Indeed, Christmas dinner dates back to medieval times and has been evolving ever since.

What is the most Yorkshire puddings eaten in one sitting? ›

The world record for the most Yorkshire puddings eaten in one sitting is 400 💭 🏻

Why do you only have Yorkshire puddings with beef? ›

Yorkshire pudding is best served with a traditional roast beef meal, because the gravy, an essential part of Yorkshire pudding, should be made using drippings from the beef as it roasts; that makes for really mouth-watering gravy.

Why do my Yorkshire puddings taste bland? ›

It made with milk, flour and eggs, so it;s bland by nature. The real beauty of this food is to eat it with a generous helping of rich dark gravy made with meat juices. This will transform the Yorkshire Pudding into a “Best of British” dish.

Why do Yorkshire puddings go cakey? ›

The oven isn't getting hot enough (needs to maintain a 220C/425F temperature). Your oven loses heat too quickly when you open the oven door and/or you leave the oven door open for too long whilst you're filling up the Yorkshire pudding tins with batter. Too much batter or not enough fat in the tin.

Does olive oil work for Yorkshire puddings? ›

It's All About the Fat

One of the best tips for making your Yorkshire pudding rise to perfection is the type of fat that you are using in the tray. While olive oil may seem like the healthier oil to choose from, it won't add that magic spark to the mixture that sunflower oil or vegetable oil can.

Do they have Yorkshire pudding in USA? ›

According to BBC News: “confusion has reigned supreme on Twitter after the New York Times tweeted its version of a classic Yorkshire pudding – to be served with 'syrup, preserves, confectioners' sugar or cinnamon sugar'.” Let's get the cold, hard facts out of the way: the US does not have yorkshire pudding.

Can you get Yorkshire pudding in America? ›

And it would appear it is just as popular over in the US, especially around Thanksgiving. But instead of proudly sporting God's own country in its name, the Yanks call them 'popovers' - getting its name from the “dramatic rise” caused by the steam.

Why do my Yorkshire puddings look like muffins? ›

Sometimes because the oven door is open too long or the pan or fat isn't hot enough before the batter is added. Sometimes it's because there is too much batter in the pan, sometimes because the pan is too large for the quantity of batter, and sometimes because the pan isn't deep enough.

Why aren't my Yorkshire puddings rising? ›

Sometimes because the oven door is open too long or the pan or fat isn't hot enough before the batter is added. Sometimes it's because there is too much batter in the pan, sometimes because the pan is too large for the quantity of batter, and sometimes because the pan isn't deep enough.

How do you keep Yorkshire puddings from going flat? ›

A common fault that results in flat yorkshires is not having things hot enough. The oven needs to be very hot, and you need to use a metal dish with fat or oil that is hot enough to sizzle when you pour the mixture in. Get it straight into the oven and do not open the door for the duration of the cooking time.

Does baking powder make Yorkshires rise? ›

No and here is the reason why! It must be plain flour (no baking powder). 1/ High temperature oven. Yorkshire puddings rise due to quick cooking of the flour and steam being formed in the batter mixture, hence the requirement of a very hot oven and hot oil as you pour the batter into the yorkshire pudding tin.

How long should Yorkshire pudding batter rest? ›

Resting the batter really does result in better-risen Yorkshire puddings with an airier texture (rather than chewy). About an hour is sufficient to allow the starch molecules to swell, giving a thicker consistency, and for the gluten to relax.

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