Homemade English Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water (105°+)
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 2 cups flour
- 3 tbs. butter, melted
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- Yellow cornmeal, for dusting
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast and sugar. Pour in the warm water (and give one stir to make sure its all off the bottom and edges of the bowl) and let stand for 5 minutes until frothy.*As always, if the yeast doesn't froth after five minutes, its dead. Toss it and start again with new yeast.Add 1 cup of the flour and 1 tbs. of the melted butter. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir together until combined. Add the second cup of flour and salt, stir for about five minutes until well mixed.Using a bit of the melted butter, brush one side of a piece of plastic wrap. Then place the buttered side down on top of the dough and set it in a warm place until doubled in size (about 30 minutes).*As always, go for size over time. Temperature and humidity can affect how long it takes for dough to rise so if its not doubled in size after 30 minutes, wait longer. Sprinkle a large baking sheet with some of the cornmeal and then brush an ice cream scoop or large spoon with the melted butter (I just dip mine right into the butter).Then punch down the dough and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula if needed, this is a sticky dough. Then using your greased spoon or scoop, drop 1/4 cup sized dollops of dough directly onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Try to get them to as round as you can, you can use your fingers (floured) to shape them a bit if you want. Repeat with all the dough and then sprinkle the tops with cornmeal.
Set the baking sheet aside and let the dough rise again for about 20 minutes in a warm place until puffy. You can cover it with a light, dry dish cloth or waxed paper if you like.In the meantime, heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Using a pastry brush, grease the griddle with melted butter (careful not to let the griddle get too hot and brown your butter).Then, using a firm spatula, lift the puffed dough off of the cookie sheet and onto the griddle and allow it to cook like a pancake. Once the bottom has cooked to a golden brown (5-7 minutes), flip the muffin over and cook the other side to a golden brown.
You can slice them in half, or to get those "nooks and crannies" use a fork to pull the halves apart instead.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: About a dozen, depending on size