The first time I ever saw a Yorkshire pudding, I was in for a big surprise. Actually, let’s back it up a bit.
What comes to mind when you hear the word, “pudding”? I think of a creamy sweet mixture that I loved as a child. Sometimes it came in little pre-packaged plastic cups from supermarket, sometimes it came from powder in a tiny box. But if we want to talk about bread pudding, I think of warmed sticky bread covered in sugar, best served à la mode. Then, there’s black pudding. Ew. That’s pretty much the only word I can conjure up when I think about it.
Never in a million years would I have imagined that a Yorkshire pudding would look like a bread cup—a doughy muffin with a big well down the middle. (I suppose the traditional Yorkshire puddings look more like a massive, often times misshaped, bread bowl.) The first time I ever ate one of these things, I was ready to tear it open like a roll and butter it up. I remember looking around, and everyone else was pouring gravy into it and digging in with a knife and fork. Leave it to the American to look like a pleb at the dinner table.
So, what makes a Yorkshire pudding “Yorkshire”? I tried looking for the answer to this question, but no one really knows. I did find out that the first recorded recipe was from 1737, and it was called a “dripping pudding” because the batter was put in a pan underneath some roasting meat. The drippings would fall into the pan to create a pudding! The more you know . . .
I served the puddings with a stovetop shallot gravy, but I could imagine eating this with anything. I’ve seen recipes that stuff a salmon creme in the middle and others that are drizzled with chocolate. Guess what I’m going to make next time!
Mini Yorkshire Puddings
Ingredients
- 4 TBS vegetable oil
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) milk (I used 2% milk)
- small pinch of salt
- 3 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Take a 12-hole muffin tin, and drop a teaspoon of oil in each of the holes. Place the muffin tin into the hot oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the oil starts to smoke.
- Meanwhile, stir the flour, milk, salt, and eggs together. Take the muffin tin out of the oven, and pour batter into each of the holes. Bake for about 15-18 minutes or until the edges are a deep golden brown. Resist the urge to open door before the puddings are ready because they could deflate!! Just check them by turning on your oven light.
- Serve with gravy (or whatever else you prefer) immediately.
Notes
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
It is my family’s tradition to have yorkshire pudding every Christmas dinner. This year, my mom mentioned she wished she made them mini-sized because that is how she grew up eating them. Passing the recipe onto her now!
Lisa says
Thanks, Kristen! I hope she enjoys this!
Nutmeg Nanny says
These look great! I have never made yorkshire pudding before, must change that immediately!
Lisa says
Thanks, Brandy! You have to try it because they’re so good!
Amanda - RunToThefinish says
i had no idea that was all the ingredients in yorkshire pudding!! I thought it was some crazy long list, this is actually doable!
Lisa says
Before I made these, I thought they would be very complicated, too! It’s definitely not!
John Rhoe “Moose” aka. Jense Bardulf says
My understanding of Yorkshire pudding was enhanced by a mom who told me they were easy … just like the pop-overs. Everything was easy with mom, because she told me it was.
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
Such a good point. I’ve heard of Yorkshire puddings for years, but I can’t say that if you had asked me to describe one, I would have been able to do it. But now that I see what it looks like, I’m all for it!
Lisa says
I still feel that “pudding” is a bit of a misnomer. But then again, I also like saying “Yorkshire puds” like Jamie Oliver does.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
OK, while I’ve heard of Yorkshire pudding, I don’t think that I’ve actually seen it. Totally not what I would have expected! This looks delicious and only those few ingredients? Who knew?
Lisa says
Thanks, Christine! I’m still not sure why this is called a “pudding” but they’re still so tasty!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
This look sooooo good! I want all the dripping gravy! Oh and I definitely thought for the longest time that yorkshire puddings were a dessert. Americans. Hmpf.
Lisa says
Right? I still don’t quite know why this is classified as a “pudding”!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Mmm, doughy goodness! I’m always fascinated by the history of recipes and where they originate from!
Lisa says
Me too, Rebecca! I used to be a history major, so that side about food ALWAYS fascinates me!
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
Yay! I have everything I need ! These look scrumptious!
Lisa says
Thanks, Annie!
lindsay Cotter says
my husband is going to flip when he sees this recipe! he’s been craving all the savory pies and puddings lately. So thank YOU!
Lisa says
YES! Let me know what he thinks of these! Also, do they eat these in New Zealand?
Min says
I’ve actually never had yorkshire pudding but always thought it was difficult to make. Can’t wait to try!! And now I really want to knit with you…Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Lisa says
We could totally have a virtual knitting club!!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
You make them look so simple. This is a lovely meal, Lisa.
Lisa says
Thanks, Angie!
Sandra Laflamme says
Wow! These look incredible. I can imagine eating these with a delicious gravy!
Lisa says
Thanks, Sandra!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
When I first had yorkshire pudding I could not figure out why they called it pudding either! After one bite I didn’t care anymore and was so sad that I only had one. The fact that these are mini is dangerous because I see myself demolishing the entire batch and justifying it by telling myself they’re “mini.” Haha!
Lisa says
Hah! So true, Christina. I definitely ate a few of these in one go! Even after writing this post, I still don’t know why this is considered as a pudding!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
I’ve never tried Yorkshire Pudding, but now I have to! These look amazing.
Lisa says
Thanks, Marissa! They’re actually quite fun to make, especially when they’re poofing up in the oven!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
My husband is British. The first Christmas we spent together, I thought I was being so clever making him Yorkshire puddings– he looked at them and said, “we don’t eat Yorkshire pudding on Christmas. It’s for Sundays.” So picky! Haha. He appreciated the gesture. I’ve never made them for him again– so thanks for the inspiration! He asks me for Sunday roast all the time, but I am always cooking for the blog on Sundays so I never do it– I should do it next week!
Lisa says
Hahaha, that is hilarious! It’s so true that they don’t eat Yorkshire puddings over Christmas. Maybe your husband should cook Sunday roast for YOU one day!
RFC says
I’ve never heard of yorkshire pudding before! Thank you for the mini-food lesson! Those look amazing.
Lisa says
Thanks!!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I never have made (or tried) yorkshire puddings before.. but after seeing this post you definitely have inspired me to do so!
Lisa says
Thanks, Thalia! Let me know if you try it!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
Thanks for such an informative and delicious post 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Sonali!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
I’ve never had this before, but that’s going to change. This looks delicious 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Aimee!