Wow, what an interesting recipe! I’ve made English Muffins from Reinhart’s BBA, but that was an enriched dough with milk and butter which are absent here. Does the potato somehow mimic those properties?
“I wish I could buy each of you a thermapen, it is a great anxiety reliever.”
I LOVE me a nice English muffin in the morning (had a cinnamon raisin one this a.m., in fact), but yours take it to the next level. The photos are so beautiful, as always. Fresh bread always looks so pretty in photos, but you give the word “wholesome” an entirely new meaning. If you and Bryan would be willing to adopt me, I wouldn’t mind.
I have not tried to make English muffins. To be honest, it’s not something I would have thought of. This is a wonderful idea. I’m thinking…Sunday morning with coffee!
I, too, love a good old English muffin, and the grocery store varieties usually don’t cut it. I am particularly sensitive to the way they are “sliced,” eschewing the knife across the middle method for the fork inserted at 12, 3, 6, ad 9, then the halves gently pulled apart before toasting. I find that the fork method gives a special crunch, and enhances the overall textural experience.
Tom Douglas also has a recipe for cooking potatoes Greek-style, which are fantastic: Small potatoes are mostly cooked, then smashed with the bottom of a glass until cracked around the edges and somewhat flattened. Healthy doses of olive oil are then drizzled over them, and they are put in the oven to crisp. The interiors are fluffy, the exteriors crunchy. The recipe is worth seeking out.
Yankee- I cannot in good conscience recommend either alteration. They are so good as is, and I think either change would make them much less good.
Pam- You and Bryan are in the same camp. I like knife slice, but I understand you preference. The potatoes sound amazing.
Louise- Let me know if you try the Lepard recipe, I am curious. This is actually the second or third time I’ve tried making English muffins, and the one I like best so far….but am curious about his…
These look delicious and fun to make. My daughter and I cook Sunday breakfast together and often make one of my favorites: toasted English muffin drizzled with olive oil, then topped with a poached egg, a sprinkling of Parmigiano-Reggiano and some sea salt. Yum. I think you have just improved on this recipe by giving me the incentive to make my own English muffins. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks.
I love English muffins being English! Marks & Spencer do the best ready made ones, and I have tried many. I love them on the weekend filled with bacon or egg or both. I haven’t managed to make them yet but I will do one day :)
This is definitely worse than not owning a thermapen: I don’t have a kitchenaid with dough-hook. Do you think I should even try this without one?
I’ve made bread by hand before…but this seemed pretty dough-hook specific. Suggestions? :-/
I am so glad there are other people in this world who do not shy away from 4-page recipes. I’ve been wanting to try English Muffins for a while, but I’m kind of happy you beat me to it… sometimes it’s nice to be a follower! ;) Oh, and I’ve made those potatoes @Pam talked about. Some people call them “crash hot potatoes” and they are fantastic.
It’s almost certain that I’ll be making these soon. English muffins are just about the perfect breakfast food (sorry, bagels). I haven’t had much luck the couple of times I’ve tried making them at home (the Reinhart ones are just so-so, the Tartine ones a bit of a mess), but these look so toasty, so inviting.
English muffins bring back childhood memories for me too. I’m all for an English muffin revival! My mouth is watering just looking at the photos. I like my English muffin with butter and honey, though. :)
Could you say more about shaping the muffins? Are you making rounds like rolls and then flatten like hamburger buns? Please describe this further. Thanks.
I’ll be trying this recipe quite soon. I used to have these with my auntie. It is a very lengthy recipe and it seems a bit too difficult for me. But, hey, if you never try, you never know.
Etta- Hi! Oh no, sorry to hear that you have a giant ciabatta. My only guess is that it is warm where you are and they over-proofed? Or there was too much liquid. It is hard to diagnose bread from afar, a million things could throw it off.
Shari- You are just making little rounds/balls. The dough is fairly soft at that point, gravity will flatten them a bit for you.
Wow. Those english muffins might be the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. That deliciously crunchy looking crack on the outside of them is killing me. In a good way.
Thanks for the tip on the American English muffin slinger at the market. Note taken. Also, I like your spread/beverage pairing suggestions. They made me laugh.
these are going to form the perfect base for a bacon & egg breakfast sandwich this weekend. thomas’s is probably taking notes on this…. thanks for posting!
I ended up with several small ciabatta, actually. When it came to shaping, the dough was quite wet and slack; it certainly didn’t form little round balls. (The gluten development was excellent, though!)
I’m trying to make these in Brisbane (read: hot and humid conditions) but have had success making other breads by reducing the proofing time.
I think I’ll have to give english muffins another go, but reduce the amount of water slightly…
I once made English Mufffins and said “never again!” at the end of it. But that just means they are on my list of special things to pick up when someone else make them. There’s a little coffeeshop in Somerville MA that makes them every weekend, and they sell out quick.
I love the memories of eating at diners with your mom–but I can’t believe how sparse your order was! : ) I guess that’s how you can make an affordable habit of eating out though.
Hi Tim — Thanks for this great post. Have you, by any chance, tried Labriola’s English muffins? They have a cafe in Oak Brook, but I bought the English muffins ways back when I lived in Chicago at the Hyde Park Produce market. These are the best English muffins I have ever tried (although I’m sure homemade ones are even better!). I still miss them now that I don’t live in Chicago.
English muffins remind me of my childhood also! Some melted butter and honey…..ohhhhh my…never even thought about making them myself! Thanks for the post..
I live in the Netherlands and have yet to find English muffins. These photos really increases my craving so this weekend looks a good time to try the recipe. Thanks for the post. Any recommendations for doing this the old fashioned way? I have no mixer. Cheers.
It finally cooled down enough to have a second go at making english muffins in Brisbane, and success! I reduced the first portion of water to 1 cup and it made all the difference.
Hi Tim, I found you through Tom’s site. I tried these today and they taste amazing. The dough was stickier than I would have liked and I couldn’t shape them quite into a ball. I think I will try them again but decrease the water next time. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Hi, I just love your food blog :)
Is English cup and U.S. cup away?
English muffins, says:
First portion of water: 1 1/3 cups (11 ounces) of water to 68 ° F (cool tap water)
68 degrees är hot????
and
Second portion of water 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) of water to 68 ° F
Stands 68 degrees / cool tap water. I’m not good at English hope you can write what you mean here:
Second portion of water 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) of water to 68 ° F – is also 68 degrees, but it is not cold cold water, 68 degrees is hot???
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Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says:
March 8th, 2013 at 9:30 am
Yum!! This sounds awesome!!
Fresh and Foodie says:
March 8th, 2013 at 9:54 am
These look unbelievable. And potato — who knew!
J.W. Hamner says:
March 8th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Wow, what an interesting recipe! I’ve made English Muffins from Reinhart’s BBA, but that was an enriched dough with milk and butter which are absent here. Does the potato somehow mimic those properties?
Holiday Baker Man says:
March 8th, 2013 at 10:32 am
These are pretty awesome. Wait until you try the Triple Coconut Cream pie!
Olivia says:
March 8th, 2013 at 10:36 am
I immediately want to make these!! Scanning the ingredient list, is there a mis-placed slash for the yeast amount?
Anna says:
March 8th, 2013 at 10:52 am
My quote for the day:
“I wish I could buy each of you a thermapen, it is a great anxiety reliever.”
I LOVE me a nice English muffin in the morning (had a cinnamon raisin one this a.m., in fact), but yours take it to the next level. The photos are so beautiful, as always. Fresh bread always looks so pretty in photos, but you give the word “wholesome” an entirely new meaning. If you and Bryan would be willing to adopt me, I wouldn’t mind.
Traveling Yankee says:
March 8th, 2013 at 11:59 am
OMG, you just gave me a weekend project!
1. Do you think I could up the whole grain flour to 1 cup?
2. When could I add raisins/walnuts?
Thks!
Sarah @ My Green Apron says:
March 8th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
I have not tried to make English muffins. To be honest, it’s not something I would have thought of. This is a wonderful idea. I’m thinking…Sunday morning with coffee!
ami@naivecookcooks says:
March 8th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
I love english muffins!
Louise says:
March 8th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
These look great. I have Dan Lepard’s cornmeal English muffins on my to-bake list, but these may be first.
Pam @ Sticks Forks Fingers says:
March 8th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
I, too, love a good old English muffin, and the grocery store varieties usually don’t cut it. I am particularly sensitive to the way they are “sliced,” eschewing the knife across the middle method for the fork inserted at 12, 3, 6, ad 9, then the halves gently pulled apart before toasting. I find that the fork method gives a special crunch, and enhances the overall textural experience.
Tom Douglas also has a recipe for cooking potatoes Greek-style, which are fantastic: Small potatoes are mostly cooked, then smashed with the bottom of a glass until cracked around the edges and somewhat flattened. Healthy doses of olive oil are then drizzled over them, and they are put in the oven to crisp. The interiors are fluffy, the exteriors crunchy. The recipe is worth seeking out.
Tim says:
March 8th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Yankee- I cannot in good conscience recommend either alteration. They are so good as is, and I think either change would make them much less good.
Pam- You and Bryan are in the same camp. I like knife slice, but I understand you preference. The potatoes sound amazing.
Louise- Let me know if you try the Lepard recipe, I am curious. This is actually the second or third time I’ve tried making English muffins, and the one I like best so far….but am curious about his…
Tim says:
March 8th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Oh, and Anna- Come on over any time and I will feed you English muffins and let you use my thermapen. ; )
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs says:
March 8th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
I’ve never made English muffins at home, but you’ve totally encouraged me to try! Thanks for the recipe- these look great!
SG says:
March 8th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
those buttery photos are making me so hungry.
Dena says:
March 8th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
These look delicious and fun to make. My daughter and I cook Sunday breakfast together and often make one of my favorites: toasted English muffin drizzled with olive oil, then topped with a poached egg, a sprinkling of Parmigiano-Reggiano and some sea salt. Yum. I think you have just improved on this recipe by giving me the incentive to make my own English muffins. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks.
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says:
March 8th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
I love English muffins being English! Marks & Spencer do the best ready made ones, and I have tried many. I love them on the weekend filled with bacon or egg or both. I haven’t managed to make them yet but I will do one day :)
Amanda says:
March 8th, 2013 at 5:28 pm
This is definitely worse than not owning a thermapen: I don’t have a kitchenaid with dough-hook. Do you think I should even try this without one?
I’ve made bread by hand before…but this seemed pretty dough-hook specific. Suggestions? :-/
Vanessa says:
March 8th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
How interesting to see an english muffin that bakes it in the oven instead of cooking on the stove top (in cast iron, of course). I’ll have to try it!
explodyfull says:
March 8th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
I love the specific suggestions on how to enjoy the English Muffins – I like them with too much butter and a black tea :)
Dawn | KitchenTravels says:
March 8th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
I am so glad there are other people in this world who do not shy away from 4-page recipes. I’ve been wanting to try English Muffins for a while, but I’m kind of happy you beat me to it… sometimes it’s nice to be a follower! ;) Oh, and I’ve made those potatoes @Pam talked about. Some people call them “crash hot potatoes” and they are fantastic.
Katie says:
March 9th, 2013 at 9:45 am
It’s almost certain that I’ll be making these soon. English muffins are just about the perfect breakfast food (sorry, bagels). I haven’t had much luck the couple of times I’ve tried making them at home (the Reinhart ones are just so-so, the Tartine ones a bit of a mess), but these look so toasty, so inviting.
la domestique says:
March 9th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
English muffins bring back childhood memories for me too. I’m all for an English muffin revival! My mouth is watering just looking at the photos. I like my English muffin with butter and honey, though. :)
Playin with my Food says:
March 9th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
I’ve been baking my way through the Dahlia Cookbook and loving everything I’ve made. Will have to try these English Muffins too. They look wonderful!
Etta says:
March 10th, 2013 at 12:52 am
My muffins seem to have morphed into ciabatta… I weighed out all of the ingredients. Any ideas about where I might have gone wrong??
Shari says:
March 10th, 2013 at 12:57 am
Could you say more about shaping the muffins? Are you making rounds like rolls and then flatten like hamburger buns? Please describe this further. Thanks.
Mikey F. says:
March 10th, 2013 at 3:00 am
I’ll be trying this recipe quite soon. I used to have these with my auntie. It is a very lengthy recipe and it seems a bit too difficult for me. But, hey, if you never try, you never know.
:)
Tim says:
March 10th, 2013 at 7:15 am
Etta- Hi! Oh no, sorry to hear that you have a giant ciabatta. My only guess is that it is warm where you are and they over-proofed? Or there was too much liquid. It is hard to diagnose bread from afar, a million things could throw it off.
Shari- You are just making little rounds/balls. The dough is fairly soft at that point, gravity will flatten them a bit for you.
Holly says:
March 10th, 2013 at 11:22 am
Wow. Those english muffins might be the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. That deliciously crunchy looking crack on the outside of them is killing me. In a good way.
Tiffany says:
March 10th, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Thanks for the tip on the American English muffin slinger at the market. Note taken. Also, I like your spread/beverage pairing suggestions. They made me laugh.
ItalianGirlCooks says:
March 11th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
I love them…but I’ve never had them homemade. It’s high time. This looks like just the right recipe!
Dashesofawesome says:
March 12th, 2013 at 9:02 am
these are going to form the perfect base for a bacon & egg breakfast sandwich this weekend. thomas’s is probably taking notes on this…. thanks for posting!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says:
March 12th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
These look magnificent. I love english muffins – specifically with butter and jam, or with peanut butter. Favorite!
Etta says:
March 14th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
I ended up with several small ciabatta, actually. When it came to shaping, the dough was quite wet and slack; it certainly didn’t form little round balls. (The gluten development was excellent, though!)
I’m trying to make these in Brisbane (read: hot and humid conditions) but have had success making other breads by reducing the proofing time.
I think I’ll have to give english muffins another go, but reduce the amount of water slightly…
Rachael says:
March 15th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
I once made English Mufffins and said “never again!” at the end of it. But that just means they are on my list of special things to pick up when someone else make them. There’s a little coffeeshop in Somerville MA that makes them every weekend, and they sell out quick.
I love the memories of eating at diners with your mom–but I can’t believe how sparse your order was! : ) I guess that’s how you can make an affordable habit of eating out though.
Daniel - Comedera.Com says:
March 16th, 2013 at 8:35 am
I love this blog, and i love muffins! i will try to make it!
E. says:
March 17th, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Hi Tim — Thanks for this great post. Have you, by any chance, tried Labriola’s English muffins? They have a cafe in Oak Brook, but I bought the English muffins ways back when I lived in Chicago at the Hyde Park Produce market. These are the best English muffins I have ever tried (although I’m sure homemade ones are even better!). I still miss them now that I don’t live in Chicago.
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says:
March 18th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
One of those things, like Bagels, that most people don’t understand how much BETTER they are homemade. They’re just so good!
Kate says:
March 18th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
English muffins remind me of my childhood also! Some melted butter and honey…..ohhhhh my…never even thought about making them myself! Thanks for the post..
Jessica says:
March 19th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
I live in the Netherlands and have yet to find English muffins. These photos really increases my craving so this weekend looks a good time to try the recipe. Thanks for the post. Any recommendations for doing this the old fashioned way? I have no mixer. Cheers.
Dan says:
March 20th, 2013 at 6:40 am
Holy muffin! Thanks for this post, I can only dream of creating such beautiful things!
Etta says:
March 29th, 2013 at 9:43 pm
It finally cooled down enough to have a second go at making english muffins in Brisbane, and success! I reduced the first portion of water to 1 cup and it made all the difference.
Tim says:
March 30th, 2013 at 7:34 am
Etta- Good to hear! Thanks for letting us know.
Rosh Sillars says:
March 31st, 2013 at 8:56 am
I love english muffins. I’ve never made homemade and I’m not sure I really want to try. Adding potato, now that is interesting.
Rosh
Gina says:
April 7th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Hi Tim, I found you through Tom’s site. I tried these today and they taste amazing. The dough was stickier than I would have liked and I couldn’t shape them quite into a ball. I think I will try them again but decrease the water next time. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Mille says:
April 4th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Hi, I just love your food blog :)
Is English cup and U.S. cup away?
English muffins, says:
First portion of water: 1 1/3 cups (11 ounces) of water to 68 ° F (cool tap water)
68 degrees är hot????
and
Second portion of water 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) of water to 68 ° F
Stands 68 degrees / cool tap water. I’m not good at English hope you can write what you mean here:
Second portion of water 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) of water to 68 ° F – is also 68 degrees, but it is not cold cold water, 68 degrees is hot???