Neiman Marcus Popover Recipe Light And Airy

The first bite of a warm popover always takes me back to quiet café mornings filled with buttery aroma and fresh bread baskets arriving at the table.

Years ago, I tasted these famous popovers at the iconic Neiman Marcus café, and I couldn’t stop thinking about that crisp outside and soft, airy inside.

After many test batches in my own kitchen, I finally landed on a version that feels just right for home cooks.

Today I’m sharing my trusted Neiman Marcus Popover Recipe — simple ingredients, clear steps, and the kind of results that make people think you baked all morning.

Neiman Marcus Popover Recipe Step-By-Step Guide

A classic Neiman Marcus Popover Recipe that creates tall, golden popovers with a crisp shell and tender center — perfect for breakfast or a meal starter.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Breakfast / Meal Starter / Side Dish
• Yield: 6 popovers
• Calories Per Serving: ~180 kcal

What Are The Ingredients In A Popover?

Here’s everything I use to make popovers that rise high and bake evenly.

Base Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (plus extra for greasing)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Ingredient Notes

• Milk: Room temperature milk helps the batter rise better inside the oven. Cold milk slows the lift.
• Eggs: Eggs add structure and help create that hollow inside.
• Flour: Regular all-purpose flour gives the right balance of strength and softness.
• Salt: Balances flavor and keeps the popover from tasting flat.

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 teaspoon sugar for a light sweet note
• Fresh herbs for savory popovers
• Grated cheese for a café-style twist

Substitutions

• 2% milk works if whole milk isn’t available.
• Gluten-free flour blends can work, though rise may vary.
• Melted margarine can replace butter.

Instructions

Follow these steps closely — popovers depend more on technique than complicated ingredients.

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place an empty popover tin or popover cups inside while the oven heats. A hot pan helps the batter puff fast.

Step 2: Mix The Batter

In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs and milk until smooth. I like using a hand mixer for about 30 seconds to add air.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Add flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix just until the batter looks smooth and thin. The texture should resemble heavy cream.

Step 4: Rest The Batter

Let the batter sit for 5 minutes. This short rest helps flour absorb liquid and improves rise.

Step 5: Prepare The Pan

Carefully remove the hot popover tin from the oven. Brush each cup with melted butter.

Step 6: Fill The Cups

Pour batter into each popover cup, filling halfway. Do not overfill or the popovers won’t lift properly.

Step 7: Bake

Place the pan back into the oven.

• Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) without opening the oven door.
• Bake another 15 minutes until tall and brown.

Step 8: Release Steam

Remove popovers and poke a small hole in the side to release steam. This keeps the outside crisp.

Serve warm for the best taste.

If you enjoy recipes that focus on texture and simple kitchen techniques like this one, you might like my Simple Aburage Pupu Recipe With Savory Filling, where small finishing steps make a big difference in the final result.

Pairing & Serving Suggestions

At the Neiman Marcus Café, popovers arrive with strawberry butter, and I still love serving them that way.

Here are my favorite serving ideas:

• Honey butter or fruit jam for breakfast
• Creamy chicken salad as a light lunch
• Soup or roasted vegetables for dinner
• Scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for brunch
• Coffee, tea, or fresh orange juice on the side

Popovers work as a bread basket replacement or even a puff pastry bite alongside a main dish.

What Are Common Popover Mistakes?

Many home cooks tell me their popovers didn’t rise. Here are the most common causes:

• Cold ingredients
• Oven temperature too low
• Opening the oven door early
• Overmixing batter
• Filling cups too full

Popovers depend on heat and timing more than complicated skills.

Which Flour Is Best For Popovers?

I always reach for all-purpose flour. It gives structure without making the popover heavy.

Bread flour creates a chewier texture. Cake flour makes them too soft and prevents proper lift. For the classic Popover Neiman Marcus style, all-purpose flour gives the closest restaurant result.

You can read more about flour behavior and baking science at King Arthur Baking’s baking guides, which explain how protein levels affect rise and texture.

Fresh popovers have a way of turning an ordinary meal into something memorable. This Neiman Marcus Popover Recipe proves that simple ingredients can create bakery-style results right at home. I still smile every time I watch them rise through the oven window.

If you try this recipe, tell me how your popovers turned out. Did you serve them for breakfast or as a meal starter? Leave a comment, share your photos, and let’s keep baking together in real kitchens.

FAQs