Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Cold and Drizzling So It Feels Like England - English Muffins!

It's cold (which I freaking LOVE) and it's drizzling outside (which I also freaking LOVE) so I got to work planning out my menu for the next two weeks.  I wanted a piece of toast but guess what?  The Finley's are out of bread!  Punk kid ended up eating about half a loaf of bread last night (toasted) with my now famous (at least in this house) Apple Butter!

Now, I realize that baking fresh bread won't get me close to satisfying my craving right now but I just had to break out the bread machine.  Then I saw all the flour I had on hand and REALLY went to town.

First up?  Homemade English Muffins!  Oh, Yeah!  I have a super simple recipe that turns out the most delicious English Muffins.

First, ya need a bread machine.  At least for my recipe you do.  This bread machine was a freebie about 14 years ago.   Maybe even a little older.  One of the people that Mr. Funley works with was giving it away.  Really?  Like for free?  Yes, FOR FREE.  We LOVE, love, love it and it still works beautifully!

There may be variations from bread machine to bread machine as to the order in which you put your ingredients in so check your manufacturer's instructions.  For mine, it's always liquids first, then dry ingredients, then butter (if there is any in the recipe) and last in goes the yeast.  Anyhoo, once you get all that stuff in the machine set your machine for the DOUGH cycle.  Mine takes about an hour and 30 mins.
When the dough is done you want to turn it out onto a cutting board dusted with cornmeal.  The cool part?  There is no kneading or rolling!  Just pat your dough out into a rectangle that is about an inch thick.  The dough will be slightly wet and you want it that way.  Sprinkle some cornmeal on the top side of the dough as well.  

Next, cut out about 10 rounds.  Place your rounds on a baking sheet and let them rise for about 20 minutes. 
While your rounds are rising heat a stove top griddle pan to 350 degrees.  You can also use a cast iron skillet (which I did) heated first on med high heat.  Place your rounds on the pan (or griddle) for about 6 - 8 minutes.  Flip the english muffins and cook another 6 - 8 minutes or until you reach desired brown on each side.  




English Muffins

  • 1 c milk
  • 3 tbs butter
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 3 c AP flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp dry yeast 
  • Cornmeal for dusting
Place the ingredients into your bread machine according to manufacturer's directions.  Choose the dough cycle, grab some coffee and just wait......

Once the dough cycle is done, turn your dough out onto a cutting board that has been dusted with cornmeal.  Don't freak out - the dough will be slightly wet and you want that.

Pat your dough out until it is an even 1" thickness. Sprinkle the top side of the dough with cornmeal.  Using biscuit cutters (or a glass) cut out about 10 rounds.  Place the rounds on a baking sheet, COVER with plastic wrap and let rise for about 20 minutes.

While your rounds are rising preheat a cast iron skillet on medium high heat or an electric griddle pan to 350 degrees.  Cook your english muffins for approximately 6 - 8 minutes on each side or until you reach YOUR desired browness.  (Yes, that is a word!)

Wow, are these babies good or what and E A S Y!!!!!  Enjoy!  

I LOVE comments! Let me know what you think......

6 comments:

  1. OMgoodness, you are scaring me... who would have ever thought of making English Muffins with using a bread machine!? Leesa, you are amazingly talented!
    Hugs~Mom

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    1. ;) These are insanely good! I had to eat two just to be sure.....

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  2. You are making me want a bread machine now!

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    1. Seriously? You of all people don't have one? You MUST get one - they are fantastic!!!!!

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  3. My bread machine died awhile back and the next one burned every loaf I tried - like to a crisp burned - not pleasant to arrive home to!! Anyone out there tried to make these without one? Maybe I'll have to be the first cause it is awful cold and snowy here today and I'd love to have these NOW !!

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    1. I have to admit, Susan, I rely solely on my bread machine! I guess I'm too scared to venture into completely unassisted bread making. ;) If you try this recipe without the bread machine PLEASE let me know - I'd love to hear how they turn out!

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