Toad in the Hole Is a Cake! | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

FAQs

Why is my toad in the hole like cake? ›

Our answer. The batter in a toad in the hole should rise up but will be airy and crisp rather than spongy or cakey. The flour should be plain (all-purpose) flour and not self-raising. However it is most likely that the batter isn't quite cooking properly due to the dish.

Pop the empty loaf or cake tin(s) in the oven to warm. 2. Sift the flour into a bowl. Whisk the milk and eggs in a jug.

There are a few things that will make your batter soggy and stop it from rising nicely. You need to make sure your batter is a good consistency – not too thick and not too thin. This recipe seems to work nicely for us. If your batter still isn't rising well it could be that you haven't used enough oil.

Getting your Yorkshires to rise:

Toad in the Hole needs a hot dish with plenty of oil. Using a metal baking tin and adding the batter quickly is recommended. Also, the dish needs to be large enough so that the batter can creep around the edges (at least 30cm x 25cm ideally).

Far from popular belief, there is no record of the dish ever being baked with toads substituting the meat. The reference to toads is believed to be referring to the similarity in appearance to toads lying in wait of prey in their burrows, their heads visible against the earth.

Whilst the toad in the hole is baking DO NOT open the oven door – this will result in your batter deflating. Cook the toad in the hole for about 30 minutes – check through the oven door (look through the glass if you have a glass door) and check it is browned.

You can use any oven-safe dish, but ceramic and glass dishes take longer to heat up which might affect the rise of your Yorkshire pudding. Why does my toad in the hole not rise in the middle? If you are using a metal tin and are sure your oven is hot enough, it could be because your tin is too small.

Toad in the hole is a traditional English dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with onion gravy and vegetables. Historically, the dish has also been prepared using other meats, such as rump steak and lamb's kidney.

Recipe Information

Make a well in the centre of the flour. Add the milk and egg mix, slowly bringing in the flour, until you have a smooth batter. Put the sausages into the metal baking tin with the oil and cook for 15 minutes. Then pour over the batter and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.

Serve at the table with the Toad in the hole, mashed potatoes, greens and baked beans or maybe a green salad if you're feeling a little guilty!

Why does my toad in the hole stick to the pan? ›

This is about the oil. As mentioned, you need the oil to be very hot before adding your batter, but it's also important to use the right amount. Too much will make the bottom of your Yorkshires greasy, while too little could see your puds stick to the pan.

Store any leftover Toad In The Hole in a lidded container in the fridge until required. (It will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge.) To reheat, simply place the cold Toad In The Hole on roasting tray in an oven heated to 220C (200C fan / gas mark 7 / 425F) for 10-15 minutes or until piping hot all the way through.

Why It Works. Resting the batter overnight is key for developing better flavor. Forget about cold batter: letting it rest at room temperature helps it rise taller as it bakes. A combination of milk and water gives the Yorkshire puddings extra rise and crispness.

To make the Yorkshire pudding batter, we start by adding plain (all-purpose) flour to a large jug then make a well. Add in the eggs and stir together to combine, then stir in the milk – the consistency should be that of double/heavy cream.

FREEZE AHEAD: Once cool, put the toad-in-the-holes on a lined baking tray and freeze for 4 hours. Pack in freezer bags and freeze for up to one month. Reheat from frozen on a baking tray covered loosely with foil, in a preheated oven at 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6, for 15-20 mins or until piping hot throughout.

Yes, toads, like frogs, do croak. And like frogs, it's a seasonal phenomenon to assist in locating and attracting a mate. You can hear a bumblebee toad calling in this video. He's in a rain chamber to stimulate mating, and is calling for all the lady toads to come see what he has to offer.

Why does my toad in the hole not rise in the middle? If you are using a metal tin and are sure your oven is hot enough, it could be because your tin is too small. You need plenty of space between the sausages to allow the Yorkshire pudding to rise properly – if your tin is crowded the batter can't cook properly.

Eggs aren't all the same weight so if 200ml is still too thick, then add a bit more milk. If you end up with something that is more the consistency of water, just add a little flour to thicken it back up a little.

American toads hibernate during the winter. They will usually dig backwards and bury themselves in the dirt of their summer home, but they may also overwinter in another area nearby. Toads are great additions to any garden since they eat the pests that may plague the plants.