Cherry Popover Day is celebrated on September 1 every year. This day honors the delicious treat, the cherry popover, which is enjoyed and loved by many. But what exactly is a cherry popover? A cherry popover is a light and airy roll that is made from egg batter, topped with cherries, and baked in a pan. Popovers are said to be English-inspired. Settlers from Maine who founded Portland, Oregon created the popover by giving the English Yorkshire pudding an American spin. They can be consumed both as a sweet treat or as a proper breakfast or brunch meal.
History of Cherry Popover Day
The history of English puddings dates back to the 1300s. Puddings in Yorkshire, unlike those in America, are savory and baked accompaniments to meat dishes. Traditionally, these savory puddings were served as the first course with a thick gravy. The first written record of Yorkshire pudding was in 1737 in the book “The Whole Duty of a Women,” which mentions the recipe for ‘A Dripping Pudding.’ A decade later, in 1747, “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy” by Hannah Glasse gives a detailed recipe for Yorkshire pudding.
In the 17th century, the popover was created in America by adapting the English Yorkshire pudding recipe and renaming it. But the first written mention of the popover was in the 1850s in a letter by E.E. Stuart. She was a Catholic woman working as a political advocate to free schools and was fighting for independence when American political parties started forming and Protestants and Catholics were finding common ground in Michigan. The ‘popover’ was mentioned again in 1876 in a cookbook titled “Practical Cooking” by M.N. Henderson, this time in a recipe of how to make the treat.
During the late 1800s, the popover became increasingly popular throughout America. A food establishment called Jones Pond House in Acadia National Park became known for serving these delicious treats with tea. This tradition is still carried out today.
Cherry Popover Day timeline
The popover is created based on the Yorkshire pudding recipe of the English settlers, which the American people adapt and rename the baked pudding ‘popover.’
The first written mention of the ‘popover’ is in a letter by E.E. Stuart — a Catholic woman who was working as a political advocate to free schools and fighting for independence.
The recipe for popovers first appears in a cookbook titled “Practical Cooking” by M.N. Henderson.
The popover becomes increasingly popular throughout America and a food establishment called Jones Pond House in Acadia National Park becomes known for serving these delicious treats.
Cherry Popover Day FAQs
Where did popovers come from?
Popovers came to America from Yorkshire, England.
What do popovers taste like?
Popovers have a crisp exterior and a soft, buttery interior.
What do you eat with popovers?
Popovers are light and airy and can be served with almost any meal. They are perfect with sweet or savory toppings or can be enjoyed just with butter.
Cherry Popover Day Activities
Eat cherry popovers
Treat yourself on this day. Eat a cherry popover and get lost in its sweetness.
Bake popovers
Bake a batch of popovers for you and your loved ones to enjoy together. They’ll appreciate the sweet treat!
Learn new recipes
Learn new and exciting ways to bake a popover. Make your friends your guinea pigs and feed them your experimental popovers.
5 Fun Facts About Popovers
The invention of popovers was probably accidental
Popovers were most likely created the way most foods are, by accident.
The name comes from the baking technique
The air beaten into the eggs and the steam from the wet batter cause the pastry to puff up and pop over the tin, giving it its characteristic, fluffy top.
There is no National Popover Day
Popovers do not have a national holiday, but there are three days to celebrate fruit-flavored popovers (blueberry, raspberry, and cherry).
There’s a National Blueberry Popover Day
National Blueberry Popover Day is celebrated on March 10 every year.
There’s a National Raspberry Popover Day
National Raspberry Popover Day is celebrated on May 3 every year.
Why We Love Cherry Popover Day
It celebrates food
This day is to celebrate food. People are connected through food and create some of the best memories this way.
It has a long history
Popovers have a long and rich history. Their recipe originated in England and was tweaked in America to evolve into the treat we know it as today.
It delights people
Popovers are delicious treats that people love to consume. Try one today if you haven’t before!
Cherry Popover Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | September 1 | Monday |
2026 | September 1 | Tuesday |
2027 | September 1 | Wednesday |
2028 | September 1 | Friday |
2029 | September 1 | Saturday |