Delicious and Nutritious Honey Bran English Muffins Recipe
In a world full of mass-produced, pre-packaged food, there’s something truly special and satisfying about baking your own bread. The feeling of pride as you slice into a freshly baked loaf or hoist a warm English muffin out of the toaster is unmatched. So why not give it a try?
As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I’ve spent years perfecting my recipes for traditional baked goods like crumpets, scones, and muffins. Today, I’d like to share with you one of my favorites: honey bran English muffins.
These hearty little muffins are made with whole wheat flour, wheat bran, and just a touch of honey for sweetness. They’re perfect for breakfast with a slather of butter and jam or served alongside soups and stews at dinner. And the best part? This recipe is designed for your bread machine, meaning you can have fresh-baked muffins in no time with minimal effort.
So let’s get started! Bust out that bread machine and let’s make some muffins that’ll make your taste buds sing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I can confidently say that these Honey Bran English Muffins are a game-changer. Not only are they easy to make with a bread machine, but they are also unbelievably delicious! Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:
Firstly, the dough rises quickly thanks to fast-rising yeast, so you won’t have to wait long before cooking them up. Secondly, the use of wheat bran and honey gives these muffins a rich texture and a subtle sweetness that is simply irresistible.
But that’s not all! These muffins are incredibly versatile. You can enjoy them toasted with butter for breakfast or use them as buns for mini burgers or sandwiches. Plus, they store well and are perfect for meal prepping, making your mornings easier during busy weekdays.
Furthermore, these muffins offer a healthier alternative to traditional English muffins without sacrificing taste or texture. With whole wheat flour, oat bran, and honey, you can indulge guilt-free knowing it’s good for you.
In conclusion, if you’re seeking an efficient and highly satisfying breakfast option that doesn’t compromise nutritional value or convenience, look no further than these Honey Bran English Muffins. It’s guaranteed love at first bite!
Ingredient List
In order to prepare honey bran English muffins, you will need a total of 3 cups of flour. The recommended order for adding the ingredients is according to your bread machine instructions. Here are the specific items and measurements needed:
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons of Fast Rise Yeast or Active Dry Yeast
- 3 cups of White Bread Flour or whole wheat flour for a healthier option
- 2 tablespoons of Honey
- 1/2 teaspoon of Salt
- 3/4 cup of Wheat Bran
- 1/4 cup of Butter, softened, cut into small pieces
- 1 and 1/4 cups of Warm Water
Make sure to use the freshest ingredients available to ensure the best flavor for your honey bran English muffins. You can also substitute some ingredients depending on your preference, but it is important to follow the same proportions.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Gather all ingredients and tools
Before making the Honey Bran English Muffins, gather all the required ingredients and tools. Make sure you have a bread machine, a mixing bowl, a spoon, and measuring cups for accurate quantities.
Step 2: Add ingredients to bread machine
For this recipe, you will need to add the ingredients in the order recommended by your bread machine’s manufacturer. Begin by adding warm water (3/4 cup) into the mixing bowl of the bread machine, followed by butter (3 tbsp), honey (2 tbsp) or more if you prefer your muffins sweeter, and salt (2 tsp).
Step 3: Add flour and bran to mixture
In a bowl, combine bread flour (2 cups), whole wheat flour (1 cup), wheat bran (1/4 cup), and fast-rising yeast (2 tsp). Reserve about one-third of the flour mixture for later.
Add remaining two-thirds of the flour mixture to the mixing bowl of the bread machine. Use low setting and allow the mixer to blend for two minutes until combined.
Step 4: Knead dough
With the machine still running on low speed,add in reserved flour gradually until a dough forms. Stop blender once it has formed dough consistency.
Let the machine continuously knead and rest until a dough ball is formed this should take about 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Let dough rise
Remove kneaded dough ball from mixing bowl and place it into an oiled mixing bowl. Cover it up with a plastic wrap or kitchen towel before placing it in warm place allowing it to rise for an hour or until it doubles in size.
A trick that works well is heating up your oven till it reaches about 200°F then turning it off completely, placing your dough inside and leaving it in there to rise.
Step 6: Shape dough
Once your dough has risen, it’s now ready for shaping. Remove plastic wrap or kitchen towel from the bowl and punch down the dough to let air free. Dust flour on a flat surface and roll out the dough cylinder till it gets 1/2 inch thick.
Use a round cutter or mason jar lid to punch muffin-shaped circles then place them on a parchment paper dusted with cornmeal/or cooking spray. Sprinkle some more cornmeal on top of dough circles for texture.
Step 7: Allow muffins to rest
Next, dust muffins with more flour, then cover muffins loosely with a kitchen cloth and allow them to rest about 20 minutes before baking underneath pre-heated oven-grill/broiler for about 6 minutes on high heat before turning them over and baked again for 4 minutes longer.
Step 8: Allow cooling
Remove muffins from the oven and allow them to cool down completely. Once
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to baking, there’s always room for experimentation. The beauty of the Honey Bran English Muffins Recipe is that it lends itself quite well to some modifications and substitutions, so feel free to personalize this recipe.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you can replace the bread flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend instead. This substitution will affect the texture of the muffin, but it should not impact the overall flavor.
For those who prefer a sweeter muffin, try adding a bit more honey or substitute milk for some of the water in the recipe. Alternatively, if you want to reduce sugar intake, you could swap honey for maple syrup or brown rice syrup.
To add a touch of complexity to the flavor profile, consider substituting wheat bran with oat bran or flaxseed meal. These options are high in fiber and will add omega-3 fatty acids, making your muffins even healthier.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try incorporating spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves into the dough for an added twist. You can also mix raisins, dried cranberries or chopped nuts into the batter before baking to create customized versions of these muffins.
Regardless of how you choose to vary this recipe, always remember to follow the instructions closely and adjust ingredients carefully. After all, baking is both an art and science!
Serving and Pairing
Once your honey bran English muffins are out of the oven, they are perfect to eat as is or toasted. I highly recommend toasting them to bring out the crunchiness of the wheat bran on top and the softness of the inside. Pair them with butter or cream cheese, and you have a breakfast that feels like a treat.
These honey bran English muffins also make for great sandwich buns. Toast them lightly and fill them up with your favorite sandwich fixings such as ham and cheese or avocado and tomato. They are also perfect for burgers, adding a rustic yet nutty flavor to your burger experience.
If you want to add some sweetness, you can drizzle them with extra honey or maple syrup for a decadent brunch dish. Or, you can toast them and serve them with eggs benedict or breakfast burritos.
To summarize, these honey bran English muffins are versatile and delicious on their own or paired with several accompaniments that will enhance their flavor.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
I don’t know if you could get any better than homemade English muffins, fresh out of the oven, but if you want to make-ahead, store or reheat them, here are some tips.
To Store: Once cool, place the muffins in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze them in a freezer bag. They will last for about 1 month.
To Reheat: Allow the muffins to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for several hours before using. Then, simply toast them in a toaster or on a griddle over medium heat until golden brown on each side.
Make Ahead: Since you can also make these muffins ahead of time, freeze them before baking. After shaping the muffin dough and placing it on the cornmeal dusted baking sheet (Step 12), transfer it to the freezer uncovered. Once frozen after 2-3 hours, transfer it to a resealable freezer bag or container and label with the date.
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), remove the frozen dough from the freezer and place on a cornmeal dusted baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Let them rise in a warm spot until they’ve puffed up slightly and become puffy, about 1 hour while oven preheats. Bake according to recipe instructions.
With these tips, you can enjoy fresh English muffins anytime you want! Serve them as is or use them as a base for sandwiches or breakfast sandwiches, like bacon, egg & cheese sandwich or toasted with butter and jelly for breakfast.
Tips for Perfect Results
As a seasoned chef, I know that small details can make a huge difference when it comes to baking. Here are some tips that can help you achieve the perfect Honey Bran English Muffins every time.
First, measure your ingredients carefully. Even an ounce of difference in flour or honey can alter the texture and flavor of your muffins. Use a kitchen scale if possible, especially for flour and wheat bran. If you don’t have one, use dry measuring cups and level off the excess with a knife.
When activating the yeast, make sure the water or milk is warm, not hot. Hot liquid can kill the yeast and prevent it from rising properly. I recommend using active dry yeast instead of fast-rise yeast for this recipe as it gives better results.
Another key tip is kneading the dough correctly. Don’t overwork or underwork it. Knead until it’s smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky to touch. Adding too much extra flour will result in dense and dry muffins.
Letting the dough rise in a warm place may take some practice, but it’s worth it. If your kitchen is cold, try putting the dough in the oven with just the light turned on. It creates an ideal proofing environment for your dough.
Lastly, don’t skip on brushing butter on your muffins after toasting them. It’s a simple yet effective step that adds more flavor and moisture to your baked goods.
By following these tips, you’ll end up with fluffy, wholesome and scrumptious Honey Bran English Muffins that even a traditional English person would approve!
FAQ
As with any recipes, cooking and baking can be tricky. That’s why I have included a few frequently asked questions (FAQ) in this section to help you troubleshoot possible issues you might encounter while making the Honey Bran English Muffins. Don’t worry! These common questions and their corresponding answers are here to make your experience as smooth as silk, without compromising the flavor and texture of your muffins. So let’s dive in!
What makes English muffins different from other bread?
English muffins have a firm and delicious dough that is typically made with sourdough or yeast, and doesn’t include any milk. They are sold pre-cut and can be toasted to perfection for the perfect crispiness. Once toasted, you can savor them with your favorite toppings on each half.
Why did my English muffin bread sink in the middle?
As you pull out the loaves from the oven, It’s common to notice the center slightly sink down, but don’t fret! This is absolutely normal for this kind of soft-batter bread as it doesn’t rise as high as other types of bread. The tops of the loaves will appear flat, but that’s okay because the taste will make up for it. After letting them cool for a while, approximately an hour, transfer the bread to a wire rack. Once cooled, go ahead and slice your loaf of bread and, if preferred, crisp it up in the toaster. Finally, I highly recommend smothering it with butter for added flavor.
What’s the difference between an English muffin and a crumpet?
When it comes to classic British breakfast or tea time snacks, both the crumpet and the English muffin are beloved options. However, they do have distinct differences in texture and appearance. A crumpet is thinner than an English muffin and features small holes on its top, while an English muffin is thicker and has a solid top that is usually sliced in half before being served.
What do British people call English muffins?
In the United Kingdom, muffins are commonly referred to as English muffins. However, when sweet American-style muffins are present, they may be called American muffins to avoid any confusion. These savory treats are often enjoyed alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee and are sometimes served as part of the traditional British meal of afternoon tea in hotels throughout the UK.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Honey Bran English Muffins recipe is a perfect treat for anyone who loves quick and easy breakfast ideas filled with wholesome ingredients. These muffins are deliciously light, with a perfect balance of sweetness and hearty texture.
What makes this recipe special is the combination of wheat bran, honey, and white bread flour, which together create a unique flavor profile that you can’t find in traditional store-bought English muffins. Plus, with the convenience of a bread machine, making homemade English muffins has never been easier or more fun.
Whether you’re an experienced home baker or just starting out in the kitchen, this Honey Bran English Muffins recipe is definitely worth trying. Not only will you impress your family and friends with your baking skills, but you’ll also be treating yourself to a nutritious and satisfying breakfast option.
So what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients and fire up your bread machine – it’s time to make some Honey Bran English Muffins!
Honey Bran English Muffins (Bread Machine) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 cups white bread flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup wheat bran (cereal bits)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oat bran
- 2 teaspoons fast rise yeast or 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
Instructions
- Combine according to your manufacturer's directions using the dough or manual cycle.
- Remove dough from the machine after the dough or manual cycle is completed.
- Turn dough out onto floured surface.
- Divide into 12 portions.
- Shape each into a ball, then press into 4" circles about 3/4" high.
- Grease baking sheet and sprinkle with half the oat bran, then place muffins 2" apart.
- Spritz with water and sprinkle with remaining bran.
- Let rise until doubled, about an hour.
- Grease electric skillet or griddle and preheat to 325 degrees.
- or medium heat.
- Carefully place muffins in skillet, then cook about 6 minutes on each side or until brown.
- Cool.
- Success Hints: For Raisin Muffins, add 1/3 cup of raisins and 2/3 tsp of cinnamon.
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.