The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

English Muffins

cmoewes's picture
cmoewes

English Muffins

I've been experimenting with making english mufifns and I have run into 2 distinct methods and I am wondering if anyone has an opinion or some suggestions (I know people have opinions, but are the willing to share).

It seems that there are 2 different methods of making english muffins. Not so much in cooking them but in their preparations. One seems to make a proper dough that can be shaped and proofed and cooked and the other is more of a thick batter / thin dough that can be scooped into the muffin rings but can't stand up on its own till cooked.

Am I just using some wierd recipes for this or am I seeing soemthing that is just a normal variation in methodoligy? Any thoughts on how to make decent english muffins would be great.

Thanks!!

mkelly27's picture
mkelly27

Crumpets are a close relative to english muffins.  Crumpets are usually more batte-like and pour onto the griddle in containment rings, muffins are thick doughed shaped and placed on the griddle alone.  either way I love them both with butter and jam.

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Redundancy is your friend, so is redundancy

andrew_l's picture
andrew_l

wrote a book, "English Bread and Yeast Cookery". This is very well researched and full of information. It has an entire section on crumpets and english muffins and would, I am sure, answer your question. A great read.

 

Andrew 

proth5's picture
proth5

I prefer the batter - muffin rings- griddle method for making English Muffins.  It does produce the "nooks and crannies" and does not require heating up the oven - which is nice in the summer.

I use a variant on the King Arthur recipe which adds baking soda right before cooking. I use a well seasoned but dry griddle and sprinkle semolina inside the rings to help prevent sticking.

Just my humble opinion and preference.