How to Make Easy English Muffins
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4
How to Make Easy English Muffins
Description
This recipe shows how to prepare English Muffins starting with a lukewarm milk-based dough mixed with softened butter, sugar, salt, eggs, flour, and instant yeast. After kneading and a rise period to develop flavor and texture, the dough is divided into portions formed into round disks about three inches wide.
The muffins are cooked on a griddle or heavy pan dusted with semolina or cornmeal, which gives the characteristic texture to the crust. They are cooked slowly over moderate heat to ensure they cook through without overly browning, resulting in a soft crumb inside and a slightly crisp, golden exterior.
Once cooled, these muffins can be split open and toasted, making a classic base for spreads or breakfast sandwiches. The recipe emphasizes controlling heat and cooking in batches to avoid crowding the pan and ensure uniform cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups milk about 110F, lukewarm
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature, lightly beaten
- 4 1/2 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast one packet
- semolina for sprinkling on the griddle or pan, or corn meal
Instructions
- Put everything except the semolina into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (not the bread hook.) Alternatively, if you have a bread machine you can set it to the dough cycle.
- Mix the dough on medium speed for about 5 minutes, The dough should come away from the sides of the bowl and be smooth and quite elastic. I had to scrape the sides of my bowl a couple of times.
- Scrape the dough down into a rough ball and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours until risen and puffy.
- After the rise, gently deflate the dough. This dough will be soft and sticky. Turn it out onto a surface that has been dusted with the semolina, or corn meal, and form it into 16 pieces. (First cut the dough in half, then cut each half in half, and again and again until you have 16 (more or less) equal blobs.
- Form the pieces into rounds, and then lightly pat them into disks about 3 inches in diameter. Make sure they are dusted on both sides with the semolina. Cover loosely with plastic and let rest for about 20 minutes. They will puff gently.
- Sprinkle your griddle or skillet with a little semolina or corn meal. Cook the muffins on a low to medium low heat for about 15 minutes on each side, until they are golden browned and done. They will puff up initially, and when you flip them you'll see them take on the traditional English muffin shape.
- You can test for doneness with an instant read thermometer...the inside should register 200 degrees F when they are completely cooked through. If they are very brown before getting thoroughly done on the inside, transfer them to a 350F oven to finish cooking for 5-10 minutes. Note: your muffins should not be getting brown right away, if they do, your heat is too high.
- Be sure to use a fork to split the muffins before toasting to bring out that famous English muffin texture.
Notes
- Use a griddle set at 300°F or a heavy-bottomed pan like cast iron to evenly cook the muffins.
- Cook the muffins over low to moderate heat to allow them to cook through without burning.
- Dust the cooking surface with semolina or cornmeal to prevent sticking and enhance texture.
- Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, giving muffins ample space to rise and brown properly.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16muffins
Amount Per Serving
Calories 177 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 177kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 254mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 90mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 126IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4
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