Soft Light English Muffins For Bread Machine Recipes

BREAD MACHINE ENGLISH MUFFINS

Steps:

• Load the bread machine starting with the warm water, yeast and honey. Check that the yeast is bubbling and foaming. If not, the yeast has gone bad and the bread will not rise. This is a common bread mishap.
• Next, add the dry ingredients and butter and set the machine to the 1.5lb loaf and use the dough or manual cycle depending on your manufacturer.
• Once the cycle is fully completed, turn the dough out from the machine onto a lightly floured surface. If the dough is too sticky to work with, knead in a bit of extra bread flour.
• Shape the dough into a log about 12 inches long. Then cut it into uniform 1-inch pieces (12 total). Shape each piece into a ball (or a circle) and then lightly press flat between palms or hands to form the muffin shape and size.
• Place the muffins on a cookie sheet lightly coated with cornmeal (optional) or lightly sprayed with non-stick oil to keep them from sticking during the second rise. Allow them to rise for about 1 hour or until they double in size. This can be as short as 40 minutes, but the full 60 minutes results in a much taller muffin with more nooks and crannies. Both rise times taste great but the latter yields a better look and texture.
• Using an electric griddle set to 300 degrees F or a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the muffins for 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
• Split them open with a fork to keep in tradition or opt for a serrated knife. This helps the muffins to hold shape as you slice.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.

ENGLISH MUFFINS (BREAD MACHINE METHOD).

Steps:

• Put ingredients in the machine in the order listed.
• Start the dough cycle.
• When the cycle is finished.
• Sprinkle corn meal over your work area.
• Use your hands to pat the dough into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle.
• Turn the dough so that each side gets lightly coated with cornmeal.
• Cut into 8 to 10 rounds.
• An empty large tuna can works well When you run out of dough gather up the trimmings and cut more rounds.
• Place the rounds on a baking sheet, cover and let rise for 20- 30 minutes--until not quite double.
• Heat a dry cast iron skillet or griddle over a low flame.
• (I do spray mine with Pam).
• Cook the muffins about 5 to 7 minutes on each side.
• They should be golden brown when you turn them.
• Split the muffins with a fork or serrated knife and serve warm.
• These freeze well and can be reheated in the microwave or toasted.

ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAD

Steps:

• Warm the milk and water in a small saucepan until very warm (125 degrees F/50 degrees C). Lightly grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans; sprinkle cornmeal inside pans.
• In a large bowl, mix together 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt and soda. Stir milk into the flour mixture; beat well. Stir in the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, until a stiff batter is formed. Spoon batter into prepared pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place for until nearly doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and cool.

ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAD IN BREAD MAKER

Steps:

• 1. Place ingredients into the bread maker pan according to manufacturers suggestion. (Mine is wet on the bottom, dry on top, make a small well in the dry and place the yeast in that). Program your machine for dough cycle. Check your booklet to see what time the last rise will be on the dough and set a timer. Midway through the second kneading cycle, check the dough; it should be soft, smooth and slightly sticky. If needed, adjust the dough's consistency with additional flour or water, if necessary (you may need to use more flour -- or less water -- in the summer.) This dough will not be a light, fluffy dough, but a heavier dough. For a true English muffin effect, remove the dough after either the final kneading or before the final rise and roll it in cornmeal, or you can sprinkle it onto the top and gently press it down into the dough. Remove the dough for last rise. Place the dough into the bread pan that has been sprayed with a non stick spray and then cornmeal has been sprinkled on. Gently press the very dense mixture into the loaf and dust top with cornmeal. Cover the pan with a towel and let it rise until it has barely crowned the rim of the pan. This should be about an hour.
• 2. Preheat the oven to 400°. Remove the cover and bake for 22-27 minutes and golden brown with internal temperature of 190°F.
• 3. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes or so before turning it out of the pan onto a rack. Let bread cool completely before slicing. I recommend to make this the night before and let it sit to cool overnight (I left mine on the wire rack and covered it with a large bowl so air would still circulate but it would be protected).