Nothing could be more comforting to me than homemade bread. For a yeast bread, this is a really simple English muffin recipe. The dough took 1 hour to rise, then another 30 min for each muffin to rise again. They are then cooked in a cast iron skillet, or griddle – over med-low heat – for 5-7 minutes per side.

When fork-split and toasted, they have the nooks and crannies that English muffins are known for – perfect for melted butter and jam to run into!

Recipe for Homemade English Muffins (makes 16 muffins)

Ingredients:

• 2 c whole milk
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 pkg instant dry yeast
• 5 c all-purpose or bread flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 c melted unsalted butter
• 1/3 c yellow cornmeal
• cooking spray

Heat the milk in the microwave – to 110 degrees. I used an instant read thermometer.

Add the honey and yeast. Stir to combine. Allow to “bloom” for about 10 min. til frothy.

Pour yeast mixture into a stand mixing bowl. Add the egg and melted butter, and stir together. Add the flour and salt. Blend together using a bread hook on med speed, for about 5 min. (You can also use a paddle attachment, or knead with your hands for 5 min.).

Pour dough onto a lightly floured surface. Lightly grease a large glass bowl with vegetable oil. Place the dough into the bowl, then turn it over to grease the other side. Cover with plastic wrap, and a towel. Allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

While rising, prepare 3 baking sheets with parchment paper, and sprinkle about 1/4 c of yellow cornmeal over each.

After the dough has risen, punch it down in the center. Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

Cut the dough in 1/2 using a bench scraper. Form into 2 logs, about 14″ long. Cut these each into 8 even pieces, again using the bench scraper.

Roll each piece of dough into a ball, then flatten it using the palm of your hand to about 4″ in diameter.

Place each disc onto the prepared pans, and top each with a sprinkling of additional cornmeal. Press gently.

Cover pans lightly with plastic wrap. Allow to rise again for 30 min.

Prepare cast iron pan or griddle, with cooking spray. Turn heat to med low (about “3” on a gas stove”. Once pan is heated, place 4 muffins at a time into the pan. Allow to cook for 5-7 min per side, until golden. Turn each muffin over, and cook for another 5-7 min. If they are not browning, turn heat up a bit. If they are browning faster than this, turn heat down a bit. Watch closely.

Cool completely. Use a fork to split them open, then toast, and enjoy with butter and jam!