English Muffin Bread is a rustic, no-knead loaf that captures the nooks and crannies of traditional English muffins in an easy-to-bake format. It’s perfect for toasting, with a chewy texture and slightly tangy flavor thanks to yeast and warm milk. Baked in a loaf pan and requiring minimal effort, it’s ideal for breakfast or as a base for sandwiches. This recipe became popular in mid-century kitchens for its simplicity and the promise of store-bought texture from homemade dough.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar, salt, baking soda, warm milk, and flour.
- Add the activated yeast mixture.
- Stir together with a spoon until fully combined (batter will be sticky).
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
- Spoon the batter into a greased loaf pan (should fill about halfway).
- Let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours or until dough reaches the top of the pan.
Step 4: Bake
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Bake for 25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Let cool slightly before removing from the pan.
Tips
- Use warm (not hot) water to activate the yeast properly.
- Batter will be very soft, this style of bread doesn’t require kneading.
- For better lift, let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place.
- Sprinkle cornmeal in the pan before adding the dough for a classic English-muffin crust.
- Replace half the flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
- Add 1 tablespoon melted butter for a richer crumb.
- For a tangier flavor, substitute part of the milk with buttermilk.
- Slice and toast to get the signature “nooks and crannies” effect.
- Freezes well, slice before freezing for easy toasting.
Nutrition
Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 4gFat: 1.5gSaturated Fat: 0.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 260mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 20IUCalcium: 28mgIron: 1.3mg
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