Rec: English Muffin Toasting Bread, reg & sourdough version

mariadnoca

Moderator
Yes. I was too lazy to go to the store.

Even during breaks in our rain storms. All I wanted was toast w breakfast and thought I had another loaf in the freezer. A few days went by before I realized, wait, I know how to make bread. Duh! But then I also realized, my sourdough starter is not awake and I’m all about the sourdough. Also, did I mention I’m feeling very lazy? So I started searching the Internet because I wanted something very simple, because, come on, all I want is toast. Which resulted in me finding this recipe on King Arthur’s site. Bonus, it was super easy and the whole thing could probably go from mixer to Bread in about two hours. Plus, it had toast right there in the name! Also, it’s quite good and has the nooks and crannies that toast with jam was made for.

I only had fat-free milk and I was concerned it wouldn’t come out well because of that, but it’s great. I even screwed it up and took it out too early, let it cool for 5 mins and put it back in the oven for another 5, and it was no worse for wear.

This is definitely going to go in regular rotation!


English Muffin Toasting Bread, reg & sourdough version

Crackly on the outside, tender and craggy on the inside — this makes the best toast and it’s quick. It’s got that signature nooks-and-crannies texture that begs for melted butter and a slather of jam. No kneading, no fuss — just mix it up, toss it in a pan, and let the oven do the rest.

Servings: 1 loaf; PREP 8 mins BAKE 22 to 27 mins TOTAL 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients
    • 3 cups (360g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
    • 1 tablespoon (14g) granulated sugar
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons (9g) table salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
    • 1 cup (227g) milk
    • 1/4 cup (57g) water
    • 2 tablespoons (25g) vegetable oil or olive oil
    • yellow cornmeal, to sprinkle in pan
Steps
    • Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and instant yeast in a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer.
    • Combine the milk, water and oil in a separate, microwave-safe bowl (or in a saucepan on the stovetop), and heat to between 120°F and 130°F. Be sure to stir the liquid well before measuring its temperature; you want an accurate reading. If you don't have a thermometer, the liquid will feel uncomfortably hot if you quickly dip your finger into it. Be sure it doesn't reach 140°F, as temperatures in that range can harm the yeast.
    • Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
    • Using an electric beater, or stand mixer fitted with the flat beater attachment, beat on high speed for 1 minute; the dough will be smooth and very soft. If you don't have an electric mixer, beat by hand for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and starting to become elastic.
    • Lightly grease an 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan, and sprinkle the bottom and sides with cornmeal.
    • Scoop the soft dough into the pan, leveling it in the pan as much as possible.
    • Cover the pan, and let the dough rise until it's just barely crowned over the rim of the pan. When you look at the rim of the pan from eye level, you should see the dough, but it shouldn't be more than, say, 1/4" over the rim. This will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour, if you heated the liquid to the correct temperature and your kitchen isn't very cold. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 400°F.
    • Remove the cover, and bake the bread for 22 to 27 minutes, untill it's golden brown and its interior temperature is 190°F.
    • Remove the bread from the oven, and after 5 minutes turn it out of the pan onto a rack to cool. Let the bread cool completely before slicing.
    • Store leftover English Muffin Toasting Bread, well wrapped, at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.
Notes
    • To make a sourdough version of our English Muffin Toasting Bread (plus use up some discard starter), use these ingredients:
    • 2 1/4 cups (270g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
    • 1 tablespoon (14g) sugar
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons (9g) salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
    • a generous 3/4 cup (194g) milk, dairy or plant-based
    • 2 tablespoons (25g) vegetable oil or olive oil
    • 3/4 cup (180g) sourdough starter, unfed (discard)

    In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and instant yeast.

    In a separate, microwave-safe bowl (or in a saucepan on the stovetop), combine the milk and oil, and heat to between 120°F and 130°F.


    Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix until roughly combined. Stir in the discard starter. Proceed with the recipe as directed above, beginning with step 4. For start-to-finish details see our blog post, A tastier toasting bread: www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2021/06/09/toasting-bread-with-sourdough-starter-discard



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Yes. I was too lazy to go to the store.

Even during breaks in our rain storms. All I wanted was toast w breakfast and thought I had another loaf in the freezer. A few days went by before I realized, wait, I know how to make bread. Duh! But then I also realized, my sourdough starter is not awake and I’m all about the sourdough. Also, did I mention I’m feeling very lazy? So I started searching the Internet because I wanted something very simple, because, come on, all I want is toast. Which resulted in me finding this recipe on King Arthur’s site. Bonus, it was super easy and the whole thing could probably go from mixer to Bread in about two hours. Plus, it had toast right there in the name! Also, it’s quite good and has the nooks and crannies that toast with jam was made for.

I only had fat-free milk and I was concerned it wouldn’t come out well because of that, but it’s great. I even screwed it up and took it out too early, let it cool for 5 mins and put it back in the oven for another 5, and it was no worse for wear.

This is definitely going to go in regular rotation!


English Muffin Toasting Bread, reg & sourdough version

Crackly on the outside, tender and craggy on the inside — this makes the best toast and it’s quick. It’s got that signature nooks-and-crannies texture that begs for melted butter and a slather of jam. No kneading, no fuss — just mix it up, toss it in a pan, and let the oven do the rest.

Servings: 1 loaf; PREP 8 mins BAKE 22 to 27 mins TOTAL 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients
    • 3 cups (360g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
    • 1 tablespoon (14g) granulated sugar
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons (9g) table salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
    • 1 cup (227g) milk
    • 1/4 cup (57g) water
    • 2 tablespoons (25g) vegetable oil or olive oil
    • yellow cornmeal, to sprinkle in pan
Steps
    • Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and instant yeast in a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer.
    • Combine the milk, water and oil in a separate, microwave-safe bowl (or in a saucepan on the stovetop), and heat to between 120°F and 130°F. Be sure to stir the liquid well before measuring its temperature; you want an accurate reading. If you don't have a thermometer, the liquid will feel uncomfortably hot if you quickly dip your finger into it. Be sure it doesn't reach 140°F, as temperatures in that range can harm the yeast.
    • Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
    • Using an electric beater, or stand mixer fitted with the flat beater attachment, beat on high speed for 1 minute; the dough will be smooth and very soft. If you don't have an electric mixer, beat by hand for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and starting to become elastic.
    • Lightly grease an 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan, and sprinkle the bottom and sides with cornmeal.
    • Scoop the soft dough into the pan, leveling it in the pan as much as possible.
    • Cover the pan, and let the dough rise until it's just barely crowned over the rim of the pan. When you look at the rim of the pan from eye level, you should see the dough, but it shouldn't be more than, say, 1/4" over the rim. This will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour, if you heated the liquid to the correct temperature and your kitchen isn't very cold. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 400°F.
    • Remove the cover, and bake the bread for 22 to 27 minutes, untill it's golden brown and its interior temperature is 190°F.
    • Remove the bread from the oven, and after 5 minutes turn it out of the pan onto a rack to cool. Let the bread cool completely before slicing.
    • Store leftover English Muffin Toasting Bread, well wrapped, at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.
Notes
    • To make a sourdough version of our English Muffin Toasting Bread (plus use up some discard starter), use these ingredients:
    • 2 1/4 cups (270g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
    • 1 tablespoon (14g) sugar
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons (9g) salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
    • a generous 3/4 cup (194g) milk, dairy or plant-based
    • 2 tablespoons (25g) vegetable oil or olive oil
    • 3/4 cup (180g) sourdough starter, unfed (discard)

    In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and instant yeast.

    In a separate, microwave-safe bowl (or in a saucepan on the stovetop), combine the milk and oil, and heat to between 120°F and 130°F.


    Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix until roughly combined. Stir in the discard starter. Proceed with the recipe as directed above, beginning with step 4. For start-to-finish details see our blog post, A tastier toasting bread: www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2021/06/09/toasting-bread-with-sourdough-starter-discard



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Looks delicious! So funny, I was recently looking at the English Muffin bread recipe from the Swap, (Carol's) I haven't made it in years. I may give this recipe a try--thanks Maria. Stay dry!
 
I'd love to try that bread. The toast looks amazing. And your tea & toast tray looks so inviting.

My one attempt with English muffins was a flaming success. So much so that I've never had the nerve to make them again. That is because I ate FOUR of them warm from the oven. FOUR ENGLISH MUFFINS! My stomach felt like I'd swallowed a bowling ball. The recipe is from Dahlia's Bakery cookbook (Seattle) and here is an image from their book. Mine looked EXACTLY like this:

IMG_0990.jpg

Now picture FOUR of those fighting for room in a stomach. Warm, bready stuff has always been my Achilles heel. Hence, my reticence to ever make them again.

If anyone wants the recipe, I'll make a PDF and attach that, because this sucker is four pages long. BTW, the flat top is achieved by proofing and baking the dough balls with a half-sheet inverted over the top of the bottom half-sheet.
 
I'd love to try that bread. The toast looks amazing. And your tea & toast tray looks so inviting.

My one attempt with English muffins was a flaming success. So much so that I've never had the nerve to make them again. That is because I ate FOUR of them warm from the oven. FOUR ENGLISH MUFFINS! My stomach felt like I'd swallowed a bowling ball. The recipe is from Dahlia's Bakery cookbook (Seattle) and here is an image from their book. Mine looked EXACTLY like this:

View attachment 3966

Now picture FOUR of those fighting for room in a stomach. Warm, bready stuff has always been my Achilles heel. Hence, my reticence to ever make them again.

If anyone wants the recipe, I'll make a PDF and attach that, because this sucker is four pages long. BTW, the flat top is achieved by proofing and baking the dough balls with a half-sheet inverted over the top of the bottom half-sheet.
Those are gorgeous! For some reason, I thought you tried your hand at the model bakery‘s English muffins? Did you make them as well? I always wanted to try making them, but they seemed more work than I could accomplish. Plus, I prefer sourdough and knew with all that work, I’d still wish they’d be sourdough.

The joy of this bread is it’s as easy as a quick bread. I made it in the evening so not to be tempted to cut it warm. I left it till morning. I’ve only wrapped it in a kithen towel, and it was just as good this morning as well. I will say the interior is soft enough it makes buttering a bit difficult, so need to shave my butter slices as thin as I can get them. I do turn off the heat at night, so my room temp butter is still a bit stiff in the am. (The joy of never getting below freezing here.)

i love that antique tray. I’ve had it so long I can’t remember where I got it.
 
oh my gosh...you're right! Apparently, punishing myself with muffin dough once was not enough.


However, those were cooked on the stove top, while the Dahlia are baked in the oven with the double sheet pan setup. I remember being so proud of how they turned out...being flat-topped and all. The cornmeal on the bottom keeps them from sticking...and gives that "real" muffin texture to them.
 
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