Hearty English Muffin Bread
Delight in the irresistible flavors of freshly baked Hearty English Muffin Bread. This easy-to-follow recipe combines the wholesome goodness of simple ingredients to create a bread that's toasted crust on the outside and a soft, airy crumb on the inside. Perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or a delightful snack, this bread can also be customized with your favorite add-ins such as herbs or cheese. Make a loaf (or two) to share with family and friends, and enjoy the warm, comforting aroma filling your kitchen as it bakes.
16
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
6 cups (All-purpose flour, sifted)
yeast
2 (1/4 ounce) packages (Active dry yeast)
sugar
1 tablespoon (Granulated sugar)
baking soda
1/4 teaspoon (Baking soda)
milk
2 cups (Whole milk, heated)
water
1/2 cup (Warm water)
salt
2 teaspoons (Kosher or table salt)
cornmeal
to taste (For dusting the pans)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine 6 cups of sifted flour, 2 packages of active dry yeast, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
2
In a small saucepan, heat the milk and water together until very warm, between 120°F to 130°F (49°C to 54°C). Remove from heat.
3
Pour the warm milk and water mixture into the dry ingredients and mix vigorously with a wooden spoon or a dough whisk until well combined.
4
Gradually stir in the remaining flour (about 1 to 2 cups) until a stiff batter forms. The dough will be thick and sticky.
5
Divide the batter evenly between 2 greased loaf pans that have been sprinkled with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
6
Sprinkle additional cornmeal on top of the batter in each pan.
7
Cover the loaf pans with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until the batter has doubled in size.
8
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once the dough has risen, bake the loaves for 25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped.
9
Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty English Muffin Bread?
It is an easy-to-follow yeast bread recipe that results in a loaf with a toasted crust and a soft, airy crumb, mimicking the texture of an English muffin.
What type of flour is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 to 8 cups of all-purpose flour that has been sifted.
What kind of yeast should I use?
You should use 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) of active dry yeast.
Why is baking soda used in this yeast bread?
Baking soda is used in the dough to help create the characteristic crannies and texture associated with English muffins.
What is the correct temperature for the milk and water mixture?
The liquids should be heated to between 120°F to 130°F (49°C to 54°C) before being added to the dry ingredients.
Should the dough be kneaded?
No, this is a batter-style bread. You mix the ingredients vigorously until a stiff, sticky batter forms rather than traditional kneading.
Why is cornmeal used in this recipe?
Cornmeal is used to dust the pans to prevent sticking and is sprinkled on top for a traditional English muffin texture and flavor.
How many loaves does this recipe produce?
This recipe is designed to make 2 loaves of bread.
How long should the dough rise?
The dough should rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for baking this bread.
How long does the bread need to bake?
Bake the loaves for approximately 25 minutes.
How do I know when the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when the tops are golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped.
Can I customize this bread with other ingredients?
Yes, you can customize the recipe with favorite add-ins such as herbs or cheese.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe provides approximately 16 servings.
Is it necessary to sift the flour?
Yes, the recipe specifies using sifted all-purpose flour for the best results.
Can I use water instead of milk?
The recipe uses a combination of 2 cups of whole milk and 1/2 cup of water for the liquid base.
What should I do after taking the bread out of the oven?
Let the bread cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
What is the best way to serve Hearty English Muffin Bread?
It is perfect for breakfast, making sandwiches, or as a snack, and is especially delicious when toasted.
What is the texture of the finished bread?
The bread features a toasted crust on the outside and a soft, airy crumb on the inside.
Is this bread suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is described as an easy-to-follow recipe that uses simple ingredients.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
What type of salt should I use?
You can use 2 teaspoons of either kosher or table salt.
Should the batter be thick or thin?
The final batter should be thick and sticky once the remaining flour is stirred in.
What category of food does this fall under?
It is categorized under Yeast Breads.
What equipment do I need for the batter?
You will need a large mixing bowl and a wooden spoon or a dough whisk to mix the batter vigorously.
Does this recipe contain eggs?
No, this specific Hearty English Muffin Bread recipe does not list eggs as an ingredient.
How much baking soda is required?
The recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
What should I cover the pans with during the rise?
Cover the loaf pans with a clean kitchen towel while the batter rises.
Can this bread be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the loaves and share them with family or store them for later use.
Why should I grease the loaf pans?
Greasing the pans along with the cornmeal ensures the sticky batter does not adhere to the sides during baking.