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December 10, 2024
English muffins are a popular breakfast option that are loved for their soft, doughy texture and their ability to soak up melted butter and sweet spreads. While they are commonly found in grocery stores, making them from scratch can be a rewarding and delicious experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making homemade English muffins that rival the ones you find in stores.
Firstly, it is important to note that English muffins are not cooked like traditional muffins. Instead of being baked in the oven, they are cooked on a hot griddle or skillet, which gives them their distinctive texture. Making English muffins from scratch requires just a few basic ingredients, including flour, yeast, milk, sugar, and salt.
To begin the process of making English muffins, you will need to activate the yeast by combining it with warm milk and sugar. After a few minutes, the yeast will become foamy, indicating that it is active and ready to be used. Then, you will gradually add in the flour and salt, kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Tip: It is important to let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. This step is crucial to ensure that the English muffins have the right texture and flavor.
Preparing the Dough
To make English muffins, you’ll need a dough that is soft and elastic. Start by combining 500 grams of all-purpose flour, 10 grams of sugar, 10 grams of salt, and 7 grams of instant yeast in a large mixing bowl.
Next, add in 250 milliliters of warm milk and 60 grams of softened butter. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix everything together until a sticky dough forms.
Once the dough is well combined, transfer it onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-10 minutes. This will help develop the gluten and give the muffins their signature texture.
After kneading, shape the dough into a ball and place it back into the mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise for about 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles that may have formed. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into equal-sized portions. You should be able to make about 12-16 muffins depending on the size you want.
Shape each portion into a ball and place them onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave enough space between each muffin to allow for rising. Cover the tray with a clean towel and let the muffins rise for another 30-45 minutes.
During this time, preheat your griddle or a non-stick pan over medium heat. Once the muffins have risen again, transfer them onto the preheated surface and cook them for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Once cooked, remove the muffins from the pan and let them cool on a wire rack. You can enjoy them warm or toasted with your favorite spreads, such as butter or jam. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Gathering the Ingredients
Before you start making English muffins, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
Dry Ingredients:
| 2 cups (250g) of all-purpose flour |
| 1 tablespoon (12g) of granulated sugar |
| 1 teaspoon (5g) of salt |
| 1 teaspoon (5g) of baking powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) of baking soda |
Wet Ingredients:
| 1 cup (240ml) of buttermilk |
| 2 tablespoons (30ml) of melted unsalted butter |
You can find these ingredients at your local grocery store. Make sure to check your pantry first to see if you already have them on hand. Once you have everything ready, you can proceed to the next steps of the recipe.
Mixing the Ingredients
To make homemade English muffins, you will need to gather the following ingredients:
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
- 1 cup of warm milk
- 2 tablespoons of melted butter
First, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. This dry mixture will form the base of your dough.
In a separate bowl, combine the warm milk and melted butter. The milk should be warm to activate the yeast, but not too hot to kill it. Stir the milk and butter mixture together until well combined.
Next, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the milk and butter mixture into the well. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix the ingredients together until a soft dough forms.
If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it becomes easier to handle. Conversely, if the dough is too dry, you can add a little bit more warm milk, one tablespoon at a time.
Once the dough comes together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
After kneading, shape the dough into a ball and place it back into the mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 to 1.5 hours. The dough should roughly double in size.
Once the dough has risen, it is ready to be shaped into English muffins, as described in the next section.
Shaping and Cooking
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape and cook your English muffins.
Start by rolling out the dough on a floured surface until it’s about 1/2 inch thick. Then, use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles from the dough. Alternatively, you can simply shape the dough into rounds by hand.
Once you have your rounds of dough, place them onto a baking sheet that’s been lightly dusted with cornmeal or semolina. This will prevent them from sticking to the pan. Cover the rounds with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for about 30 minutes to allow them to rise slightly.
Next, it’s time to cook the muffins. Heat a griddle or a large skillet over medium heat. Place the rounds of dough onto the hot surface and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your griddle or skillet.
Once the muffins are cooked, transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool slightly. Then, use a fork to split them open, revealing the signature nooks and crannies. These nooks and crannies are perfect for holding butter, jam, or any other toppings you desire.
Enjoy your homemade English muffins!
Rolling the Dough
Once the dough has finished rising, it’s time to roll it out so that you can cut out the English muffins. Here’s how:
- Dust a clean work surface with flour to prevent the dough from sticking.
- Using a rolling pin, begin to roll out the dough into a 1/2 inch thickness.
- Flip the dough over occasionally and continue rolling until it is evenly flattened.
- If the dough starts to shrink back, let it rest for a few minutes and then continue rolling.
Once the dough is evenly rolled out, you can proceed to cut out the English muffins using a round cutter or a glass.
Tips for Rolling the Dough
- Make sure to use enough flour on your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking.
- Take your time when rolling the dough to ensure an even thickness.
- If the dough becomes difficult to work with, let it rest for a few minutes to relax the gluten.
- Be gentle when handling the dough to avoid tearing or deflating it.
Cutting and Shaping the Muffins
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to cut and shape the muffins. Follow these steps to get them ready for cooking:
Step 1: Cut the Dough
Use a sharp knife or a dough scraper to cut the dough into equal-sized portions. You can aim for around 12 pieces, but it depends on how big you want your muffins to be.
Pro tip: If you want evenly-shaped muffins, you can use a kitchen scale to weigh the dough and ensure each portion is the same weight.
Step 2: Shape the Muffins
Take each portion of dough and use your hands to shape it into a smooth ball. Then, gently flatten each ball with your palm to create the classic English muffin shape, which is slightly flat with a rounded top and bottom.
Pro tip: To prevent the dough from sticking to your hands, you can dust them with flour or use a little oil.
Place the shaped muffins onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them to rise and expand. Cover the muffins with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for about 20 minutes to allow for a final rise.
Now that your muffins are cut and shaped, they are ready to be cooked. Continue following the recipe for instructions on how to cook your English muffins to perfection!
Cooking the Muffins
To cook the English muffins, you will need a skillet or griddle. Heat the skillet or griddle over medium heat. It is important to preheat the skillet or griddle to ensure the muffins cook evenly.
In the meantime, lightly grease the skillet or griddle with butter or vegetable oil to prevent the muffins from sticking.
Step 1: Shaping the Muffins
Take a portion of the dough and shape it into a ball. Flatten the ball with your hands to form a thick disk. Repeat this process for the remaining dough portions.
Step 2: Cooking the Muffins
Place the shaped muffins onto the preheated skillet or griddle. Cook them for about 6 minutes on each side or until they turn golden brown.
Note: It is important to cook the muffins on medium heat to prevent burning them. Adjust the heat if necessary.
Optional Step: To achieve the famous nooks and crannies texture on the inside of the muffins, you can use a fork to split the muffins, halfway through cooking on each side. This will create space for the crumbs to form.
Once cooked, transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. You can split the muffins in half using a fork, toast them, and spread your favorite toppings like butter, jam, or honey. Enjoy your homemade English muffins!
FAQ
What is the difference between English muffins and regular muffins?
The main difference between English muffins and regular muffins is their texture and cooking method. English muffins are typically denser and have a chewy texture, while regular muffins are softer and have a cake-like texture. English muffins are cooked on a griddle or skillet, while regular muffins are baked in the oven. Additionally, English muffins are usually split in half and toasted before eating, while regular muffins are often eaten as is.
What are the ingredients needed to make the English muffins?
The ingredients needed to make English muffins are all-purpose flour, milk, sugar, salt, active dry yeast, and butter.
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to make healthier English muffins. However, the texture and taste might be slightly different.
How long does it take to make English muffins?
Making English muffins typically takes about 2 hours, including the time for the dough to rise and cook on the stovetop. However, the actual hands-on preparation time is about 30 minutes.
Can I add any additional ingredients, like raisins or cheese, to the English muffin dough?
Yes, you can add additional ingredients like raisins or cheese to the English muffin dough to make flavored variations. Simply mix in the desired ingredients before letting the dough rise.