Yesterday was a 'snow day' here in Nebraska. My 3 girls were thrilled that they didn't have to go to school, as was I. I loved a chill day at home. There is something about being stuck in the house all day with big white flakes swirling outside that makes me want to bake.
I searched my Breads & Muffins Pinboard for something yeasty and comforting, and spied a recipe for English muffins.
When I saw the word English Muffin, instantly a memory popped in my mind. I have a dear friend whom I met through this blog who lives in California. Yes, I'm speaking of my friend Karen from I Choose Hope. She and her husband took me to Napa to a little bakery that is very well known for their amazing English muffins. It is called The Model Bakery. Their English muffins have been featured on Food Networks "Best Thing I Ever Ate" TV show, so I had very high expectations, and let me tell you, when I bit into that English muffin, I had never tasted anything like it. It was amazing. I fell in love...with an English muffin...in Napa.
Because of this love affair, I was doubtful I could recreate one that would even compare. Well, guess what? THESE DO! I brought Model Bakery English Muffins home with me from Cali, so my 3 little lovelies would know how amazing they were. When they tasted my homemade English muffins yesterday, they said "these are just as good as the Cali ones!" YES!!
These were surprisingly easy to make, and were the perfect comfort food for our snow day. You start by dissolving a packet of yeast in warm water.
Then heat milk, butter, honey & salt on warm in a saucepan until butter melts. I used almond milk and vegan butter. You can use what you prefer or what you have.
Add the yeast mixture to the milk mixture once it cools a bit.
Add flour, one cup at a time. This is after two cups.
This is after 3 cups.
This is 5 cups and kneaded for 5 minutes. I love kneading dough! There is something just so domestic about it. I love watching the dough go from lumpy to nice and smooth.
I used a wine glass to cut my muffins out. Did you know that English muffins are made on a griddle like pancakes? I didn't know that and was surprised. They are just as easy as pancakes, but take a lower heat and longer cooking time. This is key. Low & slow. If you have the heat too high, they will be too brown on the outside and too doughy on the inside. The original recipe said 325 degree griddle for 8 minutes per side. I did 300 degree griddle for 10 minutes per side. It will depend on each individual griddle. You can also use a heavy bottom pan, like rod iron skillet.
Can you tell she really, really, REALLY liked them. So good warm with butter and jam. Great with butter and honey, too! They are AWESOME toasted the next day.
Amazingly Delicious Homemade English Muffins
{adapted from My Fair Baking}
Makes about 12-16 muffins
Ingredients
1 cup milk (I used almond milk)
3 TBSP butter (can use non-dairy)
3 TBSP honey
1 cup warm water (105-110 degrees)
1 tsp salt
1 pkt yeast (1/4 oz)
2 TBSP cornmeal (optional..I didn't use)
5 cups flout + extra for sprinkling
Directions
Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, mix lightly and set aside for ten minutes to foam lightly.
In a large saucepan, heat the milk, butter, honey and salt until the butter is melted. Let cool slightly.
Combine the yeast mixture an milk mixtures.
Add flour, one cup at at time, stirring after each cup. Use your hands to knead after 5th cup.
Knead dough for 3 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, lightly sprinkle cookie sheet (I used a cutting board) with cornmeal.
Flour surface and roll out dough until it is 1/2 inch think. Air on the side of too thick is ok. Cut out circles (don't twirl your cutter, just cut). Gently place on the cornmeal sprinkled cookie sheet or board and sprinkle tops with cornmeal. Cover with a dry, light cloth. Let sit in a warm place for 45 minutes or until nearly doubled in size.
Heat a heavy bottomed skillet on medium low. I used a pancake griddle. Don't grease it if using cornmeal...I greased it because I didn't have cornmeal.
Gently place a muffin in your hand and shake lightly to remove some of the corn meal. Gentleness is key in all of the handling. Place into the pan and repeat until pan is full. Don't let them touch each other.
Keep heat on low. Cook for 8 minutes per side or until browned well, flip and cook again. Let cool lightly on a wire rack. Split and top with butter and honey or jam.
