Delicious Fruit Muffins: Perfect for a Healthy Breakfast
If there’s something that I love as much as cooking, it is undoubtedly discovering new recipes and putting my own personal touch on them. Today, I am thrilled to share with you a recipe for English Fruit Muffins that you can easily make in your bread machine.
Why English Fruit Muffins, you may ask? Well, this recipe goes beyond just any ordinary muffin bread. It perfectly captures the quintessential essence of what makes English breakfast so special – warm, comforting flavors that are sure to wake up your taste buds and energize your day.
The addition of sultanas, mixed spice, and cornmeal make these muffins stand out. While staying true to tradition and offering a subtle sweetness that most will find irresistible. Whether it’s paired with butter or jam or enjoyed alone, this homemade bread is sure to become a staple of your breakfast table.
So, pick up your bread machine, and let’s get started on making the perfect English Fruit Muffin Bread!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I can guarantee that this recipe for English Fruit Muffins (Bread Machine) is one of the most delightful variations of the classic English muffin recipe.
What makes English muffins different from other breads is the dough used to make them. The dough is usually enriched, meaning it has additional fats and sweeteners added to it, giving the bread a soft and tender crumb. This recipe is no exception. The combination of cornmeal and mixed spice along with sultanas adds a unique sweetness and texture to these muffins, making them unforgettable.
Another great feature of this recipe is that it requires minimal effort on your part thanks to your trusty bread machine. However, don’t let the ease of the process detract from its heartiness – the muffins taste as if they were freshly baked by a professional baker.
These English Fruit Muffins are perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. They can be toasted and buttered or enjoyed fresh out of the oven alongside a cup of coffee or tea. Trust me when I say that once you try this recipe, you may never go back to store-bought English muffins again.
Ingredient List
To create these delicious English muffins, you will need the following ingredients:
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups of bread flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons mixed spice
- ½ cup sultanas (raisins)
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 egg
With this bread machine recipe, you will find it easy to replicate these homemade English muffins. These staple ingredients can be found in any grocery store, so it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get baking!
The Recipe How-To
Preparing the Dough
To make the English Fruit Muffins using a bread machine, you will need to combine all of the dry ingredients in the bread pan. Start by measuring 3 cups of plain flour, 1/4 cup of cornmeal, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Then, add in 2 teaspoons of mixed spice and 2 teaspoons of dried yeast to the mix.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 1/4 cup of melted butter, and 1 cup of milk. Pour this mixture into the bread pan on top of the dry ingredients. Set your bread machine to “dough” and let it mix for about 10 minutes.
Adding the Sultanas
Once your dough is thoroughly mixed, add in 1 cup of sultanas. These dried grapes will provide a sweet contrast to the spicy muffin base. Set your bread machine to “dough” again and let it mix for another 5 minutes.
Shaping and Baking
After mixing in the sultanas, grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter. Next, use an ice cream scoop or spoon to drop portions of dough into the muffin tin cups until they are about 2/3 full. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about an hour.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Once heated, place your muffin tin in the oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Cooling and Serving
Remove your muffins from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before serving. These Fruit Muffins are best served warm with a hot cup of tea or coffee on a lazy Sunday morning or as an afternoon snack during an enlivening break.
This muffin recipe makes around 12-15 English Fruit Muffins to enjoy, but can easily be scaled up or down to suit your needs. Follow these simple steps and get ready to wow your guests with homemade English muffins bread people wouldn’t be able to resist, and take pride in knowing you made it from scratch!
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe for English Fruit Muffins could be adapted to suit your taste preference or dietary restrictions. Here are some suggested substitutions and variations:
– Flour: You can use half whole wheat flour and half bread flour for a healthier option. If you don’t have bread flour, all-purpose flour would also work.
– Sugar: You can use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar to add a subtle molasses flavor to the muffins.
– Butter: Any type of unsalted butter could be used instead of salted butter.
– Mixed Spice: If you can’t find mixed spice, use equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice as a substitute.
– Sultanas: Raisins, currants or dried cranberries could be used in place of sultanas.
– Yeast: Instant yeast can replace active dry yeast in this recipe. But if you do, you will only need half the quantity.
– Milk: Any type of milk could be used – whole milk, skimmed milk or plant-based milk such as almond or soy milk.
Adding 1/4 cup of cornmeal to the dry ingredients will give your muffin bread an interesting texture. To make muffin bread with more than one fruit filling, you can add small pieces of dried apricot along with the sultanas mentioned in the original recipe. Another variation is to add 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds to give the muffin bread more depth and flavour.
Serving and Pairing
One of the best things about these English fruit muffins is their versatility when it comes to serving and pairing. These muffins are perfect not just for breakfast, but also as an afternoon snack or dessert. Thanks to the sweetness of the sultanas and mixed spice, they make a great pair with a steaming cup of tea or coffee.
For breakfast, consider topping your warm muffin split in half with butter or jam. Or if you want something more savory, try pairing it with a slice of cheese and a cup of tea. These muffins also work well on their own or paired with other bakery favorites such as croissants or bagels.
For a dessert option, try serving these moist and chewy muffins alongside vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. Alternatively, you could toast them slightly in the oven and drizzle honey over them for a simple yet flavorful dessert option.
These versatile muffins can be served at any temperature – warm, room temperature or cold – and still retain their flavor and texture very well. They can also be enjoyed on their own or paired with other foods, making them an excellent choice for any meal or occasion.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
As someone who has prepared this English Fruit Muffins (Bread Machine) Recipe numerous times, I can tell you that these muffins stay fresh for quite some time after baking. However, if you find yourself with leftovers or just want to prepare them in advance, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure they last as long as possible.
If you want to make these muffins ahead of time, I recommend waiting until they have cooled completely and then wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You could also store them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag. Then place them into the refrigerator or freezer. These muffins can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, simply remove the muffins from the plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or airtight container and place them in the microwave. Heat them for about 20 seconds if they are stored in room temperature, approximately 30 seconds if they’re chilled from fridge, and one minute if they’re frozen. If you prefer crispy texture, you could also toast them briefly on low setting on a toaster.
You could consider reheating a batch of these tasty muffins before an early morning breakfast as it doesn’t take much time and effort, leaving you ample time to appreciate your homemade breakfast. With these tips, you can guarantee that your English Fruit Muffins will always be as fresh and mouth-watering as when they were first made – making sure no crumb goes to waste!
Tips for Perfect Results
If you’re looking to bake the perfect batch of English Fruit Muffins, there are some tips and tricks that can help ensure your success. From selecting the right ingredients to properly measuring and handling the dough, these tips will help you achieve delicious and authentic muffins.
Firstly, start by using high-quality ingredients. The flavor of your muffins will only be as good as the ingredients that you use. For example, make sure to use fresh yeast rather than expired yeast. Additionally, ingredients like sultanas and mixed spice should be of top quality to ensure maximum flavor.
When working with a bread machine, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It is also important to use the correct amounts of flour and liquid. Too much flour can result in dry and crumbly muffins. On the other hand, too much liquid can make the dough too sticky or wet, resulting in dense and undercooked muffins.
Another essential step is to give the dough enough time to rise before baking. This allows the gluten in the flour to develop fully, giving your English Fruit Muffins their distinctive texture and taste. To ensure optimal rising, maintain a warm environment free from drafts.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment with substitutions and variations. For example, you could try using cornmeal in place of some or all of the plain flour to add an interesting texture to your muffins. Likewise, adding whole wheat flour or reducing sugar can make for healthier options.
By following these tips for perfect results, you can enjoy warm and delicious homemade English Fruit Muffins any time of day!
FAQ
As a chef specialized in British cuisine, I understand that some home cooks may encounter difficulties while making this delicious recipe. To help you overcome these obstacles, I have put together a list of frequently asked questions and concerns. Read on to see if your question has already been answered, and if not, feel free to reach out to me for assistance.
What makes English muffins different from bread?
When making English muffins, the dough that is used is quite moist and cannot be molded like regular bread dough. Instead, the dough is spooned into circular shapes and then cooked on a griddle or pan. Once cooked, the muffins are allowed to cool slightly before being sliced in half. Unlike traditional bread dough, English muffins have a unique texture with a small crumb.
What makes English muffins different from other yeast breads?
English muffins are made using a firm dough that typically includes sourdough or yeast, and it doesn’t call for milk. They are pre-cut so that you can easily separate them into halves after toasting. Once toasted, you can customize them with your preferred toppings on each half.
Why do English muffins last longer than bread?
One of the reasons why English muffins can last for quite some time is because they are typically made with preservatives, including sodium benzoate and calcium propionate. These compounds help prevent mold from growing on bread items such as English muffins.
Why did my English muffin bread sink in the middle?
When preparing this British bread recipe, don’t be alarmed if you notice the loaves sinking in the middle as they bake. This is a characteristic of the soft-batter bread, which doesn’t rise like ordinary bread. As a result, the finished loaves will have a level top. Once done, transfer the loaves to a wire rack and allow them to cool for about an hour before slicing. For a delicious serving suggestion, try toasting the bread slices and spreading some butter over them.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this English Fruit Muffin recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves homemade bread, indulgent breakfast treats or simply craves the comfort of a warm, freshly baked muffin. The ease of using your bread machine makes it even more enticing to give this recipe a try. With the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, this muffin has all the qualities to become a breakfast staple and is sure to awaken your taste buds.
What sets these muffins apart are the ingredients that are distinctive to English cuisine, such as sultanas, mixed spice and cornmeal, which add texture and flavour to this traditional recipe. The recipe also accommodates for substitutions and variations so that you can create personalised versions of these delightful muffins. Whether pairing these fruity delights with tea, coffee or spread with butter and jam, they are versatile enough to accommodate any palate.
Lastly, following the tips above will ensure success even if you’re a novice in the kitchen or lack experience with baking. Make sure to store them correctly so you can experience them at their freshest. I hope these step-by-step instructions were easy to follow and now inspired you to go ahead and bake these scrumptious English Fruit Muffins yourself in your bread machine!
English Fruit Muffins (Bread Machine) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 cups plain flour
- 2 teaspoons dried yeast
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1 cup sultana
- cornmeal
Instructions
- Place milk, butter, egg, salt, sugar, flour, and yeast in bread machine, in that order.
- Set to dough setting. When machine beeps, add mixed spice and sultanas.
- When dough cycle has finished, sprinkle cornmeal on your work surface, turn out dough, and press out to a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Turn, to coat both sides in cornmeal.
- With a large glass or cookie cutter, cut dough into rounds. Place rounds on a tray, cover, and leave to rise for about 30 minutes.
- /heat an electric fry pan to medium heat, and cook muffins until lightly browned on each side.
- Split with a knife, and toast, to serve.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.