If you’ve ever fallen in love with the unique texture and flavor of a classic English muffin but wished for a simpler way to enjoy it in bread form, you’re in for a treat. This English Muffin Bread Recipe brings all the delightful nooks and crannies you adore from traditional English muffins into a soft, sliceable loaf. It’s crunchy on the outside, tender and airy inside, with just the right hint of sweetness and that trademark cornmeal coating that makes every bite so special. Perfect for everything from a simple buttered toast to a hearty sandwich, it’s about to become your new favorite way to enjoy English muffin flavor in a whole new way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this English Muffin Bread Recipe is a breeze because the ingredients are simple, familiar, and each one plays an essential role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that lovely golden hue.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the bread, providing structure and chewiness.
- Dry active yeast: The magical ingredient that makes the dough rise to fluffy perfection.
- Honey: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps yeast activation.
- Warm water: Activates the yeast and hydrates the dough.
- Kosher salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Baking powder: Contributes to the light, airy crumb inside.
- Warm milk: Adds richness and helps achieve the soft texture.
- Cornmeal: Dusting the pans gives that classic crunchy, slightly gritty crust that defines English muffin bread.
How to Make English Muffin Bread Recipe
Step 1: Activate the yeast and prepare the dough
Start by mixing together the dry active yeast, honey, and warm water. This activates the yeast to help your bread rise beautifully. Meanwhile, sift the kosher salt, baking powder, and most of the flour to evenly distribute these key dry ingredients. Then add warm milk and part of the flour mixture to the yeast blend and mix thoroughly.
Step 2: Combine and knead
Once the initial mixture is smooth, incorporate the remaining flour. Beat the ingredients together until you get a very soft, slightly sticky dough—it should hold its form but still feel tender and moist. This texture is critical for the light, tender crumb that makes this bread so irresistible.
Step 3: Prepare the pans and let dough rise
Grease two loaf pans then dust them generously with cornmeal to mimic that iconic English muffin crust. Divide your dough evenly between the pans. Then, set the pans in a warm place, allowing the dough to double in size and reach the tops of the pans, or a little beyond, ensuring your bread will be delightfully airy and full-bodied.
Step 4: Preheat oven and dust tops
While your dough finishes rising, preheat your oven to 425ºF. When you’re ready, dust the tops of the loaves with cornmeal for an authentic crunchy crust. This extra step brings that familiar texture and appearance upfront with every slice.
Step 5: Bake to golden perfection
Bake your loaves for about 15 to 20 minutes until they’re a beautiful golden brown color. The aroma alone will have you eager to slice into this warm, crusty bread. Once baked, allow the bread to cool—slicing while warm can cause it to crumble, and the crumb needs a chance to set for best texture.
How to Serve English Muffin Bread Recipe
Garnishes
This bread is a canvas for so many delicious toppings. Try spreading with creamy butter and a touch of honey for a sweet start to your day. For a savory twist, top with smashed avocado, a sprinkle of chili flakes, and a dash of sea salt. The combination of crunchy crust and soft interior makes every topping stand out beautifully.
Side Dishes
Because this bread is substantial yet airy, it pairs wonderfully with dishes like scrambled eggs, fresh fruit salads, or hearty soups. Imagine dipping thick slices into a warm, creamy tomato soup or layering slices alongside a fresh garden salad to round out any meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress at brunch or a casual gathering? Use this English Muffin Bread Recipe to make open-faced sandwiches with smoked salmon, crème fraîche, and dill. Or turn slices into mini pizzas with mozzarella, fresh basil, and your favorite toppings. Toasted, it also makes for remarkable French toast with that signature crunchy edge and tender crumb inside.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover English Muffin Bread tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container to keep it fresh up to 3 days at room temperature. This keeps the bread soft inside while maintaining the delightful cornmeal crust on the outside.
Freezing
For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in zip-top bags. When you want a quick snack or sandwich, just pull out the slices you need—no need to thaw beforehand. This keeps the bread just as tasty, making it super convenient for busy mornings.
Reheating
Reheat slices in a toaster or a warm oven to bring back that crunchy crust and soft interior. Toasting lightly also refreshes the bread’s pleasant aroma and ensures every bite feels freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Absolutely! Bread flour can be used and will give your English Muffin Bread Recipe a slightly chewier texture due to its higher protein content, which some people prefer for a more robust crumb.
Why is cornmeal used on the pans and bread?
Cornmeal dusting creates the classic gritty, crunchy crust that sets English muffin bread apart. It also helps prevent sticking and adds a subtle nutty flavor to the crust edges.
Can I substitute honey for sugar?
Yes, you can replace the honey with sugar, but honey contributes moisture and a distinct sweetness that complements the yeast’s flavor, so the final bread might be a touch drier and less fragrant.
What temperature should the milk and water be for activating yeast?
Warm liquids should be between 100ºF and 110ºF. Too hot and you risk killing the yeast, too cold and the yeast won’t activate properly. Warm but comfortable to the touch is perfect.
Is this recipe good for making sandwiches?
Definitely! The bread’s even crumb structure and sturdy yet soft texture make it ideal for holding sandwich fillings without falling apart—plus it adds a delightful flavor twist compared to ordinary sandwich bread.
Final Thoughts
This English Muffin Bread Recipe is a delightful way to bring the iconic taste and texture of English muffins into an easy, versatile loaf. Whether you’re slicing it for breakfast, grilling it for an afternoon snack, or crafting creative sandwiches for dinner, this bread is sure to win hearts. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Print
English Muffin Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 loaves (serves approximately 2 people per loaf)
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: English
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This English Muffin Bread recipe yields soft, fluffy bread with the signature nooks and crannies of classic English muffins, perfect for toasting and spreading with butter or jam. The dough is easy to prepare at home and baked in loaf pans for convenient slicing.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 5½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp dry active yeast
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp honey
- ¼ cup warm water
- 2¼ cups warm milk
Other
- Cornmeal (for dusting the pans)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the dry active yeast, honey, and warm water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Sift dry ingredients: Sift together the kosher salt, baking powder, and all-purpose flour to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Mix the dough: Add the warm milk and one cup of sifted flour to the yeast mixture. Blend thoroughly until smooth. Then, gradually add the remaining flour, beating the mixture well. The dough should be very soft but manageable.
- Prepare loaf pans: Grease two loaf pans thoroughly, then dust the bottoms and sides with cornmeal to prevent sticking and add texture to the crust.
- Divide and proof: Pour or spoon the soft dough evenly into the prepared loaf pans. Cover and place them in a warm area to rise until the dough doubles in size and reaches the top or slightly above the pans.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425ºF (220ºC) to preheat while the dough finishes rising.
- Prepare for baking: Lightly dust the top surfaces of the risen dough with cornmeal to give it a classic English muffin look and texture.
- Bake: Place the loaf pans in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the loaves turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
- Cool and slice: Remove the bread from the pans and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice and enjoy your homemade English Muffin Bread.
Notes
- Use warm liquids (milk and water) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- The dough will be quite soft; resist adding too much extra flour to keep the bread light and tender.
- Ensure the loaf pans are well greased and dusted with cornmeal to avoid sticking and to achieve the characteristic texture.
- Let the bread cool fully before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.
- This bread slices beautifully and is great for toasting, sandwiches, or serving with butter and jam.
