Orange Pecan Popovers

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon ground pecans
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, unsifted

Instructions:

Heat oven to 450° Place one 12-cup or two 6-cup cast-iron popover pans in the oven. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until well combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until light and fluffy. Beat in the milk, pecans, salt and zest until foamy. Beat in the flour just until combined.

Carefully remove the popover pans from the oven. Spray the cups with a nonstick vegetable cooking spray. Divide the batter among the cups and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350° and bake for 10 additional minutes, then with a thin knife, pierce the side of each popover to allow the steam to escape. Bake 10 minutes more or until browned. Remove the popovers and serve immediately.