English Muffin Bread Recipe

This English Muffin Bread Recipe is the ultimate trick up your sleeve when you’re craving homemade bread but short on patience. Imagine the same tangy, chewy goodness of a classic English muffin, but in a loaf—ready to slice, toast, and slather with butter. It’s golden outside, tender and craggy within, and begging for your favorite toppings. Best of all, it’s wonderfully simple, even for newbie bakers. Grab a bowl, gather a few everyday ingredients, and get ready for the easiest, tastiest bread you’ll bake this week!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe is straightforward, yet plays a big role—whether it’s helping the bread rise, giving a touch of sweetness, or creating those signature English muffin nooks and crannies. Here’s what you’ll need for your own fresh loaf:

• Flour: Go for all-purpose flour; it gives the loaf structure yet keeps it soft. Add more or less to get that perfect, goopy dough texture.
• Yeast: The driving force behind the bread’s rise and texture; either packets or measuring by tablespoon works beautifully.
• Honey or Sugar: Just a touch adds delicate sweetness and helps feed the yeast for a better rise.
• Warm Water (110F): Dissolves the yeast and gets it bubbling. Don’t go hotter, or you’ll risk killing the yeast!
• Kosher Salt: Balances out flavors and keeps the bread from tasting flat.
• Baking Soda: Boosts the bubbles and helps achieve the characteristic cratered crumb.
• Warm Milk (110F): Adds richness and softness to the bread; whole milk is best for flavor, but use what you have.
• Butter: For greasing the loaf pans; it gives the crust delicious flavor.
• Cornmeal: Dusting the pans and the top means crisp edges and that iconic English muffin crunch.

How to Make English Muffin Bread Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large bowl, mix together the yeast, honey or sugar, and warm water. Give it a quick stir, then let it stand for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the surface looks bubbly and foamy—this means the yeast is alive and kicking, ready to help your bread rise beautifully.

Step 2: Blend the Dry Ingredients

While your yeast wakes up, combine the salt, baking soda, and 1 cup of flour in a separate bowl. A quick whisk or stir ensures the leavening is evenly distributed, so the bread bakes up light and full of the signature English muffin holes.

Step 3: Combine Yeast and Milk Mixtures

Pour the warm milk into your activated yeast mixture. Stir everything together so the liquid base is fully combined—it should look creamy and slightly thick. This step ensures a soft, flavorful crumb throughout your English Muffin Bread Recipe.

Step 4: Bring the Dough Together

Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring as you go. Keep adding flour, a cup at a time, until you have a very soft, goopy dough. Don’t panic if it seems stickier than regular bread dough—that’s exactly what you want for those classic “nooks and crannies.”

Step 5: Prepare and Fill Loaf Pans

Grease two 8-inch loaf pans (or one 9-inch, if that’s what you have) generously with butter, and dust well with cornmeal. Spoon the goopy dough into the pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Sprinkle a little extra cornmeal over the top for an added crunch when baked.

Step 6: Let the Dough Rise

Cover the loaf pans loosely and pop them in a warm place. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size and reaches—or just peeks over—the top of the pans. This usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your kitchen warmth. The anticipation is worth every minute!

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 425F. Slide the pans into the oven and bake for 15 minutes for a softer crust, or 20 to 25 minutes for a deeper golden, crispier exterior. The loaves are done when they sound hollow when tapped and the inside registers 190F-200F on a thermometer. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Patience, friend! Let the bread cool before slicing—this helps preserve the crumb structure and keeps those magical nooks and crannies intact. Now you’re ready to enjoy your homemade English Muffin Bread Recipe!

How to Serve English Muffin Bread Recipe

Garnishes

Classic is always best: slather warm slices with butter, let it soak in, and finish with a drizzle of honey, dollop of homemade jam, or sprinkle of flaky salt. For indulgence, try a swipe of cream cheese and a spoonful of berry compote. The craggy texture soaks up anything you fancy.

Side Dishes

This bread shines alongside a hearty breakfast—think scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a stack of fresh fruit. It also makes a dreamy base for sandwiches with sharp cheddar, ham, or even avocado and tomato for a savory twist at lunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful! Cut your English Muffin Bread Recipe into thick sticks for dunking in soup, or toast up cubes and toss in a salad for the ultimate homemade croutons. For brunch, serve toasted slices with a “build your own” topping bar—jams, butters, cheeses, or even smoked salmon and soft eggs!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your bread has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight bag. It will stay fresh and delicious on the counter for up to three days. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge, where it will last up to a week—just toast before enjoying to bring back its signature texture.

Freezing

This English Muffin Bread Recipe is freezer-friendly! Slice the loaf first (so you can grab a piece or two as needed), then pop slices into a freezer-safe bag. For best results, use within two months. Thaw at room temperature or go straight to toasting from frozen.

Reheating

Bread slices come back to life with a quick toasting—either in your toaster or under the broiler—which crisps the outside and makes the interior delightfully warm and soft. For whole loaves, wrap in foil and warm in a 300F oven until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?

Absolutely! Swap up to half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat to add nutty flavor and a boost of nutrition. Just expect a slightly denser, heartier loaf—still delicious with all the classic English Muffin Bread Recipe character.

Why is my dough so sticky?

The stickiness (or goopiness!) is exactly what you want. That oddly soft batter is what creates the classic English muffin air pockets in the bread, so resist the urge to add more flour than necessary.

Can I skip the cornmeal?

Cornmeal gives the crust its crunch and helps prevent sticking. If you don’t have any, dust the pan lightly with flour or semolina—it won’t be quite the same, but will still taste great.

What’s the best way to slice it?

Let the bread cool fully before slicing, and use a serrated knife for clean, even cuts. Slicing too soon or with a dull knife can squish all those lovely nooks and crannies!

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! Simply double all ingredients and divide between four loaf pans, or bake in batches. You can easily freeze any extra loaves for homemade toast on even the busiest mornings.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t tried making bread at home, the English Muffin Bread Recipe is the perfect place to start—it’s foolproof, incredibly flavorful, and a joy to share at any table. Give it a go, and see just how easy and satisfying homemade bread can be!

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