April 11, 2016

English Muffins & a Giveaway



I'm a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast.  My trusty standbys range from fresh fruit with Greek yogurt and crunchy granola to Honey Nut Cheerios or hard boiled eggs.  But one of my all time favorites has to be English muffins.   I even have a toaster oven in my cubicle at work specifically for this purpose.  Is there anything better than the smell and taste of a freshly toasted muffin smothered in butter?  I think not.


Recently I received a copy of  "Cook It In Cast Iron" from my friends at Cook's Country.  If ever there was a versatile workhorse in your kitchen it would be a cast-iron skillet.  And the fact that you can buy a fantastic one for under $35 makes it all the more appealing.


Cast iron is renowned for it's heat retention which makes it ideal for frying and searing on the stove top, but did you know it's also great for baking?  Me neither!  As I was browsing through the cookbook I was amazed at the number of bread and biscuit recipes there were but the one that immediately caught my eye was for English muffins.  I'd never dreamed of making this breakfast staple at home but why not give it a try?


Believe me when I tell you I am now a convert to homemade English muffins, especially when they bake up so fluffy, tall and delicious.   Don't be intimidated by this recipe at all because it's really straight forward and easy to follow.  All I can say now is, Thomas' who???

Here's your chance to make them at home yourself.  Two lucky readers will win a free copy of Cook It In Cast Iron from Cook's Country.  All you have to do is leave your email address in the comments section of this post and I'll randomly select two  winners.  Deadline for entry is Fri April 22, 2016.   Only one email per entry.  NOTE: You must have a U.S. mailing address, sorry, no international addresses.  Good Luck!

English Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

1 cup warm whole milk (110 degrees Fahrenheit)
1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees Fahrenheit)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons honey
2 1/4 teaspoon instant or rapid-rise yeast
3 1/2 cups (19 1/4 ounces) bread flour, plus extra as needed
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup cornmeal (3 3/4 ounces)

Whisk milk, water, melted butter, honey, and yeast together in 2-cup liquid measuring cup until yeast dissolves.  Whisk flour and salt together in bowl of stand mixer.  Using dough hook with mixer on low speed, slowly add milk mixture and mix until dough comes together, about 2 minutes.  Increase speed to medium and continue to mix until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.  (If after 4 minutes dough is still very sticky, add 1 to 2 tablespoons extra flour; dough should clear sides of bowl but stick to bottom.)

Transfer dough to lightly floured counter and knead by hand to form smooth, round ball, about 1 minute.  Place dough in large, lightly greased bowl, cover tightly with greased plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup cornmeal in rimmed baking sheet.  Transfer dough to clean counter and shape into 12-inch log.  Divide log into 12 equal sizes and cover with greased plastic.  Working with 1 piece of dough at a time (keep other pieces covered), round dough into smooth, taut balls.  Arrange dough balls on prepared sheet, spaced about 1 1/2 inches part.  Cover dough balls with plastic and let rise until nearly doubled in size, 45 to 75 minutes.

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line second rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Using greased metal spatula, press dough balls into flat, 3/4-inch-thick rounds (about 3 inches in diameter).  Dust tops of muffins with remaining 1/4 cup cornmeal.

Heat 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes.  Place 4 muffins in skillet and cook until deep golden brown on first side, 1 to 3 minutes, occasionally pressing down on muffins with spatula to prevent doming.

Flip muffins, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue to cook until well browned on second side, 1 to 2 minutes.  Transfer muffins to parchment paper-lined baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining muffins in 2 batches, wiping skillet clean before each batch; transfer to sheet.

Bake until muffins are fully set and register 210 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes.  Transfer muffins to wire rack and let cool for 20 minutes before splitting with fork and toasting.  Serve.  (Cooled, unsplit English muffins be stored in zipper-lock bag for up to 2 days.)

84 comments:

  1. i love cook's country! :)

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  2. Looks sooo good!
    Email: irishianchicken@gmail.com

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  3. Anonymous4/12/2016

    I love English muffins! I've tried some recipes, and they haven't been "the one" for me, so I can't wait to try yours!

    Please enter me to win the cast iron pamphlet: gorgonesk@yahoo.com

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  4. Yum! We love English muffins in our house too!
    kroeker.elizabeth@gmail.com

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  5. I just bought a cast iron pan, i cant wait to use it
    uclangel422@yahoo.com

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  6. These look sooo good! We were gifted a cast iron skillet, but to be honest with you...it intimates me! Silly, but maybe if I try a few recipes (like this one), I'll quickly get over it. Alibear167 at gmail. Thanks for the chance!

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  7. Cast iron is a must if you make your own tortillas.
    asotv@aol.com

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  8. I've been dying to try that cookbook. Your English muffins look delicious!
    vduersch@gmail.com

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  9. I would love this book! Those English muffins look amazing. aprilgenung@gmail.com

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  10. Yum!
    Zerofence@verizon.net

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  11. Yum! Kjakoubekmt@gmail.com

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  12. Anonymous4/14/2016

    I'd love a copy of this book!
    sheilacancun@hotmail.com

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  13. Cclopez86@gmail.com

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  14. Alexisgre@gmail.com The muffins look amazing, never made them! Going to try this week in my skillet

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  15. Would love to have that cookbook! Thanks!

    stevegstroud@yahoo.com

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  16. Anonymous4/14/2016

    I love English muffins and these look scrumptious. My email is bziol@netnitco.net

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  17. Kieratate@gmail.com
    Fingers crossed!

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  18. Already started the recipe and I'm waiting for it to rise. I love English muffins and would love, love, love to avoid buying them at the store. Can't wait to try these. Please enter me into the Cook It In Cast Iron from Cook's Country contest. pmsshop@hotmail.com

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  19. These look delish!

    sarah.kauder@gmail.com

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  20. I would love the cookbook! Your English muffins look so easy, I will have to try them! Homemade it always better than store bought! ljanssen3@gmail.com

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  21. I saw these on the Instagram and immediately started drooling! Question about the recipe: the last ingredient seems to be missing, I'm guessing it's the cornmeal?

    Would definitely love to check out the whole book! My email is matveeva.olga [at] gmail.

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    Replies
    1. Great catch! Yes, I forgot to put "cornmeal" as the last ingredient. I've updated it now. Thank you!

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  22. debralokicat@gmail.com

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  23. So THAT'S how they get their browned tops!

    I love my cast iron skillet, but would love to learn how to use it more effectively, this book would be fabulous. Please enter me in the contest: doublenickel@mindspring.com

    Thank you in advance!
    Renee

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  24. I love my cast iron pan more and more as I use it.
    jks@mac.com

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  25. I love baking bread but I've been on an English muffin kick instead, lately. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

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  26. Making this this weekend: jdcarucci@gmail.com

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  27. Anonymous4/14/2016

    K10burke@gmail.com

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  28. Georgia4/14/2016

    Looks amazing! Lilykitty7191@yahoo.con

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  29. Wow!
    Knittinitup@gmail.com

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  30. I love using my cast iron skillets!
    dtbarrett1996@gmail.com

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  31. josue.souza86@gmail.com

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  32. Wow! I can't wait to try these. Thanks!
    bigmarkcohen@gmail.com

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  33. Looks awesome. Can't wait to try.

    Icstuf2@gmail.com

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  34. I am a firm believer in cast iron cooking...y family jokes about how I cook everything in cast iron...have a collection of all sizes of pans. jmorillo@unitechsite.com

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  35. Anonymous4/14/2016

    I'd love to check out the book.
    cinda4057@aol.com

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  36. Our two cast iron skillets live on our stove top! R.nettekoven@gmail.com

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  37. English muffins are one of my favorite breakfasts. I had no idea you could make them in a cast iron skillet! I would love to win this giveaway. :) grace.e.driggers@gmail.com

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  38. I'll try these this weekend. jgh33jgh @ gmail dot com

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  39. This is fantastic. I love using my cast iron skillet for so many things. Now I have a new thing to try! brian.gray@gmail.com

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  40. I love making homemade English muffins but have never tried doing so in a cast iron pan. What a great idea! Please enter me in the giveaway. lblank399 at hotmail dot com

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  41. This explains so much! Paul dot worster at gmail- thanks!

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  42. Never knew English muffins are made in a pan.

    Email:ecnyc15@gmail.com

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  43. Yummm
    jessicakovari@gmail.com

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  44. I'd love to have the book - my cast iron pans don't get used enough. And I'll definitely be trying this recipe. jjmcgaffey@guenean.com

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  45. Can't wait to try this! hychoi531@gmail.com

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  46. lmdavid79@gmail.com

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  47. Anonymous4/14/2016

    We do Civil War Reenacting, so having this cookbook would be so helpful. gjcjohnson@usfamily.net

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  48. Love my cast iron skillet, and love this recipe!
    tmlarock@hotmail.com

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  49. katieaoconnor@gmail.com. Yay!

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  50. So yummy! I love cook's illustrated!
    Enter me to win! Jessica.johnson8215@gmail.com

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  51. Anonymous4/14/2016

    Love my cast iron pan!
    nd.farrell [at] yahoo.com

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  52. kelleyvaldez@gmail.com

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  53. That cookbook would be the answer to my cast-iron prayers! Ashleyvogel@me.com.

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  54. Love this! Equestrienne10@gmail.com

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  55. Katherinehacker1@gmail.com

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  56. Amiepronk@hotmail.com

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  57. Love english muffins! I need to try this! Spam809@gmail.com

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  58. Can't wait to try these.
    nlutzow@gmail.com

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  59. kellyrelish@yahoo.com

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  60. Anonymous4/14/2016

    kspater@hotmail.com

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  61. Anonymous4/14/2016

    Gonna try these for sure!
    Kcz71@msn.com

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  62. Can't wait to try these! Thanks! mistyghaskett@gmail.com

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  63. Oh goodness. Extra toasty with extra butter please!

    kjauregui93@gmail.com

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  64. They look incredible! I will have to give them a try.

    milest@yahoo.com

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  65. ljneubert at gmail dot com

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  66. Di1953@gmail.com

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  67. Looking forward to making my own English muffins! sjmcmic@aol.com

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  68. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  69. christi.spadoniATgmail.com

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  70. Love English muffins! Sign me up: porterrichmond@gmail.com

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  71. Voorheis1@yahoo.com

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  72. I like muffins.. jordan7@gmail.com

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  73. these sound wonderful - thanks for the recipe and giveaway
    10750coupons at gmail dot com

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  74. Anonymous4/18/2016

    I'm reviewing a copy from my local library now but I'd love to have my own: sgtmike44@gmail.com

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  75. BrendaKay50@gmail.com

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  76. These turned out beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway~ SURVEYACT @ GMAIL DOT COM

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