Soft Light English Muffins For Bread Machine Recipes

ENGLISH MUFFINS (BREAD MACHINE METHOD).

Steps:

• Put ingredients in the machine in the order listed.
• Start the dough cycle.
• When the cycle is finished.
• Sprinkle corn meal over your work area.
• Use your hands to pat the dough into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle.
• Turn the dough so that each side gets lightly coated with cornmeal.
• Cut into 8 to 10 rounds.
• An empty large tuna can works well When you run out of dough gather up the trimmings and cut more rounds.
• Place the rounds on a baking sheet, cover and let rise for 20- 30 minutes--until not quite double.
• Heat a dry cast iron skillet or griddle over a low flame.
• (I do spray mine with Pam).
• Cook the muffins about 5 to 7 minutes on each side.
• They should be golden brown when you turn them.
• Split the muffins with a fork or serrated knife and serve warm.
• These freeze well and can be reheated in the microwave or toasted.

SOFT, LIGHT ENGLISH MUFFINS FOR BREAD MACHINE

Steps:

• *Note* If you don't have a bread machine, you can follow the same instructions, kneading dough by hand or with a Kitchenaid for 10-12 minutes until smooth and elastic, as you would for bread. If you don't have an electric griddle, a heavy frying pan will work just as well.
• Warm milk in a glass measuring cup in microwave until lukewarm and add to bread machine pan. Add softened butter and beaten egg to bread pan.
• Measure and level bread flour carefully. Add on top of milk mixture. Level with back of spoon. Then add on top of flour, salt on one side of flour and yeast and sugar on the other side.
• Set bread machine to "Mix" and begin cycle. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down sides until dough is mixed uniformly, 5-7 minutes. Then, cancel cycle.
• Now set bread machine to "Basic" and let run through the first kneading cycle and the entire first rise. After the first rise, cancel cycle. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper, then sprinkle with cornmeal. Set aside.
• Remove dough to lightly floured (1 or 2 tb. should do) pastry mat or counter top. Using a rolling pin, evenly flatten dough to allow for 11-12, four inch rounds, approximately 3/4" thick. Dough is fairly forgiving, so if you need to re-roll, you can. Cut your dough with a 4" biscuit cutter and place rounds on prepared cookie sheet.
• When all of your dough has been cut, brush lightly with melted butter and then sprinkle with cornmeal. Cover with wax paper and allow to rest for 30 minutes in a warm, draft free location.
• Heat electric griddle to 300-325 degrees. Place 4-6 muffins on the griddle and watch closely. They can burn if you're not careful. Using a spatula, check the bottoms until they are nicely browned and then flip. Mine took 7-10 minutes per side, but watch closely as all griddles are different. Let the second side brown. Then, using a thin wooden skewer, insert into the side of a muffin reaching the center to check for doneness. When removed, skewer should be free of any raw batter. You can also use an instant read thermometer and remove from heat at approximately 195 degrees.
• When done, place on a metal baking rack until cool. Then store in ziplock bags. When ready to eat, split with a fork and toast.