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.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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.

What You'll Need To Make Yorkshire Puddings

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 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 the best oil for Yorkshire pudding? ›

Vegetable oil has a much higher smoke point than olive oil which means that it is better for cooking at high temperatures. Continuing on with the Perfect Yorkshire puddings, Place the tin in the oven for 10 minutes, you want to get the fat or oil nice and hot.

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.

What is the best fat for Yorkshire puddings? ›

This needs to get to the exact temperature and be piping hot to ensure the maximum sizzle for the maximum rise in those puds! The oven temperature you'll need is around 220oC / 200oC Fan. What oil is best for Yorkshire puddings? We believe that a cold pressed Rapeseed Oil is the best oil for the job.

How do you keep Yorkshire puddings from sagging? ›

Be sure to close the oven door slowly so you don't force all the hot air out. Oh, and don't open the door to check on progress – the cold air will make your puds sag. Keep an eye on your creations through the glass door of the oven. When they rise and look golden-brown and crisp on top, they're done.

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 is my Yorkshire pudding soggy in the middle? ›

15-20 minutes should be enough time for smaller Yorkshire puddings but for larger ones you will need to increase the cooking time slightly to make sure that the pudding does not have a soggy centre.

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.

Should Yorkshire pudding batter be thick or runny? ›

Yes, the batter should be runny, about the consistency of heavy cream. Here is my very quick, easy and amazing cheap recipe together with some important points which will make sure the puddings are a success.

Can you put too much oil in Yorkshire puddings? ›

Too much will make the bottom of your Yorkshires greasy, while too little could see your puds stick to the pan.

Why does Yorkshire pudding batter need to 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.

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.

What is the American version of British pudding? ›

American puddings are closer to what the Brits would call "custard." A British pudding is a dish, savory or sweet, that's cooked by being boiled or steamed in something: a dish, a piece of cloth, or even animal intestine.

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 is my Yorkshire pudding not puffing up? ›

The Yorkshire pudding tins must not be over-filled

Over-filling your Yorkshire pudding tin will lead to heavy puddings, which won't rise to lofty heights. Whether you're making individual Yorkshire puddings or a large pud to carve up, only fill the tin about a third of the way for optimum puds.

Why aren't my Yorkshire puddings rising? ›

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.

Do eggs help Yorkshire puddings rise? ›

Yorkshire puddings don't need baking powder or other raising agent, the secret to a good rise is plenty of eggs, hot fat and a hot oven.

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.

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