Delicious English Muffin Bread Recipe for Breakfast Delight
Picture this: a piping hot slice of homemade bread, fresh from the oven and slathered with butter or jam. There’s nothing quite like it, is there? Especially when it’s English muffin bread – that toasty, slightly sweet almost-muffin that makes the perfect vehicle for all kinds of toppings.
Now, before you roll your eyes thinking that making bread is too much effort, hear me out. This recipe for English muffin bread is not only easy (yes, really!), it yields a hearty and flavorful loaf that can be sliced and toasted just like an English muffin.
Plus, making your own bread allows you to control what goes into it – there’s no need for any preservatives or unpronounceable ingredients here. You’ll know exactly what you’re eating and can feel good about fueling up on a healthier bread option that’s low in carbohydrates and sugars.
So let’s get started! With just a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have a delicious loaf of homemade English muffin bread in no time. Trust me – once you taste it, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re in the market for a healthier bread recipe that doesn’t skimp on taste and texture, look no further than this English Muffin Bread recipe. Imagine everything you love about the muffin toasting experience but in a loaf form, fresh from the oven, and without any of the processed ingredients.
With a mix of bread flour and unbleached white flour, rolled oats and yellow cornmeal, this bread is both hearty and wholesome. And don’t worry, we’ve got your taste buds covered too – with just the right amount of salt and sugar, plus a touch of shortening, you won’t miss those unhealthy fats and sugars often found in store-bought bread.
Not only is this recipe healthier than most, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. Start by dissolving the yeast in warm water with a bit of sugar before adding it to the dry ingredients. The dough will be sticky at first, but don’t be alarmed. This is just part of the process to achieve that signature nooks-and-crannies texture that makes English muffins so delicious.
Once you let it rise in a greased loaf pan (or two), it’s time to bake. As it bakes, your house will fill with the fresh aroma of homemade bread, making it almost impossible not to slice into it as soon as it’s out of the oven. Trust us, once you try this easy English muffin bread recipe, you’ll never want to buy store-bought again.
So why will you love this recipe? For its taste? For its health benefits? Or both? Give it a try and find out for yourself – I promise your taste buds (and waistline) won’t regret it!
Ingredient List
Before diving into the recipe, check your pantry and make sure you have all of the ingredients listed below. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of mixing to realize that you are missing a key ingredient, do you?
– 3 cups bread flour (plus more if needed)
– 1 cup unbleached white flour
– 1/2 cup rolled oats
– 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
– 2 teaspoons salt
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 4 teaspoons shortening
– 1 1/2 cups warm water
– 2 packages (1/4 oz each) active dry yeast
The Recipe How-To
It’s time to get our hands dirty with flour! Before we start, let’s gather all ingredients and utensils we need. Are you ready? Great! Let’s start!
Utensils
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Two mixing bowls
- Baking loaf pan
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Kitchen towel
Ingredients
- 3 cups of bread flour
- 1 cup unbleached white flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 cups warm water
Now it’s baking time! This recipe is quite simple, but make sure to follow each step closely to get the perfect English muffin bread.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, oats, cornmeal, sugar, salt, baking soda and instant yeast.
- Pour the warm water into another bowl and mix in the shortening using a spoon.
- Then add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough is formed.
- Grease the baking loaf pan with oil or butter.
- Transfer the mixture to the greased pan and sprinkle some additional cornmeal on top.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for about an hour in a warm place.
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190C).
- Bake your loaf of muffin bread for 40 minutes.
It’s important to let the bread rest and cool off for a while before slicing it up for consumption. But once it’s at room temperature or lightly warm You could use this hearty healthier loaf as muffin toasting bread, sandwich bread or to serve with soup or to make a quick garlic bread.
Enjoy your delicious and easy English Muffin Bread recipe!
Substitutions and Variations
Now, let’s get creative with some substitutions and variations for this English Muffin Bread recipe. Though the classic recipe is irresistible, adding some twists will give it a new flavor profile.
One simple substitution you can make is swapping the bread flour for all-purpose flour to create a softer texture. Feel free to add some oats or rolled oats to enhance the bread’s chewiness and nutrition. Also, incorporating yellow cornmeal into the dough imparts an extra crunch and nutty taste that will tantalize your taste buds.
If you’re looking for a healthier option, replace the shortening with unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas. This switch reduces the carbohydrates, fats, and sugar content in your bread dough – making it an excellent choice for those who are watching their calorie intake.
In terms of variation, try making muffin toasting bread using this recipe instead of the traditional round muffins! All you need to do is use a loaf pan instead of shaping them into muffin tins. This way, you’ll have a delicious loaf that’s perfect both for breakfast toast and sandwiches.
Finally, adding some herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder spices up your English Muffin Bread. Just sprinkle them over your dough before baking to achieve an aromatic and savory bread loaf that everyone will love!
These variations give you an opportunity to experiment with different flavors and textures, so don’t be afraid to try something new. Remember, cooking is all about having fun and unleashing creativity in the kitchen!
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving English Muffin Bread, there are endless possibilities. This muffin bread recipe is amazing for making toast, sandwiches, or even croutons for a salad. You can have it as a breakfast item served with some butter and jam or sandwich it with crispy bacon and runny eggs for an indulgent brunch.
English Muffin Bread is the perfect accompaniment to jams, marmalades, and various spreads like peanut butter or honey. The airy texture of this bread lends itself perfectly to soaking up flavors and is ideal when toasted for a little bit of extra crunch. It also pairs beautifully with savory foods such as cured meats like ham, salami, or pepperoni.
This muffin bread recipe can be easily halved, which makes it an excellent choice for creating both sweet and savory dishes in smaller quantities. Pair it with a frittata or scrambled eggs for Sunday brunch, create crostini with fresh tomatoes and basil at your next dinner party, or serve it alongside your charcuterie board as an alternative carb option.
Overall, the sky’s the limit when serving English Muffin Bread since its versatility lends itself well to any mealtime. You’ll be amazed at how this unique bread can take a dish from average to impressive!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Making a homemade English muffin bread recipe is definitely worth the time and effort you put into it. But if you have a busy schedule or simply want to plan ahead, knowing how to make-ahead, store, and reheat your muffin bread is extremely helpful.
For those times when you want freshly baked bread without mixing up a new dough batch, you can make your dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. After the bread dough rises, brush its surface with melted butter before placing it in an airtight container. When ready to bake, allow the dough to come to room temperature. Then punch down the dough, transfer it to a greased bread loaf pan, and let it rise again before baking.
Cooling down freshly-baked English muffin bread before storing it is important so as not to trap steam inside and cause sogginess. Once cooled completely, place your muffin toast in an air-tight container or a plastic storage bag, and store at room temperature for up to three days.
To reheat the bread without losing its moistness and softness, try wrapping slices of bread in foil or microwave-safe plastic wrap, then place them in a toaster oven or microwave for 10-15 seconds on low heat. If you want toasted slices for your breakfast sandwich or toast with jam, pop them into your toaster directly from the fridge.
By making this delicious bread recipe ahead of time and storing/reheating it correctly, you can still enjoy that warm-from-the-oven taste even when you’re busy. Trust me; there’s nothing more satisfying than homemade English muffin toast that tastes perfect!
Tips for Perfect Results
It’s no secret that baking can be tricky. It’s a delicate balance of ingredients, temperature, and time. But don’t let that discourage you from giving this English muffin bread recipe a go. Here are some tips to help ensure your bread turns out perfectly:
First, when it comes to measuring the flour, I highly recommend using a kitchen scale. This is because measuring cups can often pack in too much flour, leading to a dense and heavy loaf. If you don’t have a scale, make sure to use the spoon and level method – spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife.
Another issue that can lead to dense bread is overworking the dough. Make sure to knead it until it’s elastic and smooth, but not longer than necessary. Over-kneading can cause the gluten to toughen up, resulting in an unpleasant texture.
It’s also important to pay attention to the temperature of your ingredients. Using warm water, for example, is crucial for activating the yeast. Similarly, using cold ingredients like butter or milk straight from the fridge will slow down fermentation time which delays the ultimate rise of the loaf.
Finally, use cornmeal when baking the recipe as it will add extra crunch and flavour when compared to plain flour used on dough only . The use of oats adds extra nutritional value as well.
By following these tips, you’ll be sure to end up with a delicious and successful loaf of English muffin bread every time!
FAQ
Before I conclude this delicious recipe article, I want to address some frequently asked questions that may arise while preparing the English Muffin Bread Recipe. These questions include common doubts about ingredients and variations that can be made, and also tips and tricks for a perfect result. So, let’s clear them out once and for all.
What makes English muffins different from bread?
Preparing English muffins involves working with a dough that has a higher moisture content. Unlike bread dough, it cannot be shaped easily and is instead put in circular shapes on a griddle or pan to cook. The cooked muffins are then left to cool down. Afterward, the muffins are sliced in half to reveal a texture that is distinct from that of bread dough, featuring a small crumb.
Is English muffin bread healthy?
English muffins are generally considered to be a healthier option than bread because they contain lower amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and sugar in comparison. Although bread does contain marginally higher amounts of fat, both bread and English muffins contain 1 gram or less of total fat.
Are English muffins healthier than toast?
English muffins and bread have different nutritional profiles, with English muffins generally being considered slightly healthier due to their lower calorie, carbohydrate, fat, and sugar content. Nonetheless, both foods are good sources of energy and a variety of essential nutrients.
Why is it called English muffin bread?
The inception of English muffins can be traced back to a British man who migrated to the United States in the late 19th century. Samuel Bath Thomas arrived in New York from Plymouth, England, in 1874 and began crafting pre-cut crumpets that were thinner than the traditional ones, while working at a bakery.
Bottom Line
And there you have it, my dear readers – the recipe for delicious English Muffin Bread, straight from my own kitchen. This bread is a healthier alternative to many other types of bread out there, with fewer carbohydrates, fats, and sugars. Yet, it still satisfies that bread craving we all have. By making your own homemade English muffin bread, you’re avoiding any unnecessary additives that store-bought bread could contain.
Plus, this bread is versatile and can be used for anything from muffin toasting to sandwich-making. The recipe is simple and easy to follow; all you need are a few key ingredients and the patience to allow the dough to rise.
So what are you waiting for? Treat yourself to something delicious and make your very own English Muffin Bread today. Your friends and family will be impressed by the bakery-worthy results, and you’ll feel good knowing that you made it all from scratch. This is one recipe that I guarantee will become a staple in your baking repertoire.
English Muffin Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 packages active dry yeast
- 2 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 4 cups bread flour or 4 cups unbleached white flour
- additional oats, for coating bread
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl.
- Let stand 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add shortening, sugar, salt, cornmeal, oats and 1 cup flour and beat until smooth.
- Add enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough that's nearly sticky but not quite.
- Divide dough into thirds.
- Roll each third in more oats, then shape and place into 1-pound cans (4 of them) or 2-pound cans (like the Hunt's pasta sauce can) or three mini loaf pans.
- Let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
- Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes, depending on the pan.
- Let stand in cans/pans 5 minutes to firm up, then remove and cool completely.
- Bread is best eaten with 3 days, or freeze for later.
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.