Best Classic English Muffins Recipes

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH MUFFINS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat bread flour, warm milk, egg, butter, sugar, yeast, salt, and baking powder at low speed until combined. Switch to the dough hook attachment. With mixer on medium-low speed, beat until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in refrigerator overnight. (Alternatively, cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place [75°F/24°C] until doubled in size, about 1 hour.)
• In a small bowl, whisk together semolina flour and cornmeal. Sprinkle a layer of semolina mixture over a well-seasoned cast-iron griddle. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Sprinkle semolina mixture over prepared baking sheet. Butter 8 (3¾x1-inch) English muffin rings. For a small, single-burner griddle, place 4 rings on griddle; set aside remaining 4 rings. For a large, double-burner griddle, place all 8 rings on griddle.
• Let dough come to room temperature. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, and roll each ball into a 3½-inch disk. Place 1 disk in each prepared muffin ring. Sprinkle tops lightly with semolina mixture. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Place griddle on stove, and heat over medium-low heat, allowing muffins to come to temperature with pan. Cook, moving pan around occasionally for even heat, until muffins are golden brown on bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn muffins, and remove rings; cook until golden brown on both sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 190°F (88°C), about 5 minutes more. If muffins register below 190°F (88°C) but are golden brown, place on prepared baking sheet, and cover with foil.
• Bake for 5 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. If using a single-burner griddle, remove pan from heat, and allow to return to room temperature. Wipe pan clean, and sprinkle with remaining semolina mixture. Place remaining 4 muffins on griddle.
• Place griddle on stove, and heat over medium-low heat, allowing muffins to come to temperature with pan. Repeat procedure as directed. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

ENGLISH MUFFINS

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in the sugar, stirring until dissolved. Let cool until lukewarm. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine the milk, yeast mixture, shortening and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add salt and rest of flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Knead. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise.
• Punch down. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut rounds with biscuit cutter, drinking glass, or empty tuna can. Sprinkle waxed paper with cornmeal and set the rounds on this to rise. Dust tops of muffins with cornmeal also. Cover and let rise 1/2 hour.
• Heat greased griddle. Cook muffins on griddle about 10 minutes on each side on medium heat. Keep baked muffins in a warm oven until all have been cooked. Allow to cool and place in plastic bags for storage. To use, split and toast. Great with orange butter, or cream cheese and jam.

ENGLISH MUFFINS

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the powdered milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, shortening, and hot water, stir until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Let cool. In a separate bowl combine the yeast and 1/8 teaspoon of sugar in 1/3 cup of warm water and rest until yeast has dissolved. Add this to the dry milk mixture. Add the sifted flour and beat thoroughly with wooden spoon. Cover the bowl and let it rest in a warm spot for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the griddle to 300 degrees F.
• Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt to mixture and beat thoroughly. Place metal rings onto the griddle and coat lightly with vegetable spray. Using #20 ice cream scoop, place 2 scoops into each ring and cover with a pot lid or cookie sheet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the lid and flip rings using tongs. Cover with the lid and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a cooling rack, remove rings and cool. Split with fork and serve.

BASIC MUFFIN RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line 2 muffin trays with paper muffin cases. In a large bowl beat 2 medium eggs lightly with a handheld electric mixer for 1 min.
• Add 125ml vegetable oil and 250ml semi-skimmed milk and beat until just combined then add 250g golden caster sugar and whisk until you have a smooth batter.
• Sift in 400g self-raising flour and 1 tsp salt (or 400g plain flour and 3 tsp baking powder if using) then mix until just smooth. Be careful not to over-mix the batter as this will make the muffins tough.
• Stir in 100g chocolate chips or dried fruit if using.
• Fill muffin cases two-thirds full and bake for 20-25 mins, until risen, firm to the touch and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. If the trays will not fit on 1 shelf, swap the shelves around after 15 mins of cooking.
• Leave the muffins in the tin to cool for a few mins and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.