Making these little birds can keep kids or guests busy until the big bird is…
English Muffin Bread – perfect for Summer
Summer bread baking – why not? Use your microwave! No hot oven needed. It sounded ludicrous when a colleague mentioned a Fleischmann’s yeast recipe, developed probably in the ‘70s when microwave ovens were the most revolutionary kitchen appliance around.
The recipe is English Muffin bread. A simple, hand-stirred dough that rises in 45-60 minutes in a glass loaf pan, then ‘bakes’ 7 minutes in the microwave. No kidding, that simple. Rita made it during our record heat. Now she’s hooked, and she’s the non-baker between us! And on a hot day, unless you’ve cranked-up the AC, your kitchen is likely the perfect proofing temperature. The dough rises quickly with a boost of baking soda that adds extra bubbles which translates to butter-soaking nooks and crannies for English Muffin toast.
Yes, since it’s English muffin bread, it’s best toasted. That’s where browning and crispness happens, just like traditional English muffins. There are umpteen variations you can make from cheesy-savory to dried fruit and nuts (see below). Create your own, I think you’ll love it!
Microwave English Muffin Bread
Recipe can be doubled. Bake one pan at a time.
Ingredients
- Butter and cornmeal for pan
- 2-3/4 cups all-purpose unbleached, or part whole wheat flour (see variations below), divided use
- 1 pkg active dry yeast .25 oz., undissolved
- 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup milk 2% or whole
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- See suggestions for flavor variations below
- Grease an 8-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch glass loaf pan. Sprinkle bottom and sides with cornmeal; set aside.
- Combine 2 cups of the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Stir well.
- Combine milk and water in a 2-cup glass measuring cup. Microwave about 1 minute on high until warm to the touch (105°F-110°F). Add to the dry ingredients with choice of nuts, dried fruit or cheese if desired; stir well.
- Stir in remaining 3/4 cup flour, to make a stiff moist dough. Transfer to prepared pan.
- Cover with a dry towel and let rise in a warm place 45-60 minutes, or until it reaches nearly to the top of the pan.
- Microwave on high power 7 to 8 minutes. Bread will not brown but will rise a little more and top will be dry. If you have an instant read thermometer, center should be at least 200F.
- Let rest 5 minutes in pan. Run a knife around edge and turn out. Cool completely before slicing about 1/2-inch thick. Toast to serve. Best within the first day; keeps up to 3 days.
Video
Notes
Variations:
Whole Wheat or White: Use about 1:1 white and whole wheat flour. The recipe is flexible; use a little more or less whole wheat if you like. And try rye too!
Dried Fruit & Nut: Your choice of about 1/3 cup raisins, dried cherries, currants, diced apricots and 1/4 cup chopped nuts.
Orange & Walnut with Golden Raisins: Add 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, 1/3 cup golden raisins and 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
Cheddar Cheese: Add 3/4 cup (3 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese.
Sour Cream & Chive: Replace 1/4 cup of the milk with 1/4 cup sour cream; add 1-1/2 tablespoons minced fresh chives or freeze-dried.
Garlic: Add 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. Recipe adapted from Fleischmann's Yeast and shared with me from Wolf Appliance.
Whole Wheat or White: Use about 1:1 white and whole wheat flour. The recipe is flexible; use a little more or less whole wheat if you like. And try rye too!
Dried Fruit & Nut: Your choice of about 1/3 cup raisins, dried cherries, currants, diced apricots and 1/4 cup chopped nuts.
Orange & Walnut with Golden Raisins: Add 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, 1/3 cup golden raisins and 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
Cheddar Cheese: Add 3/4 cup (3 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese.
Sour Cream & Chive: Replace 1/4 cup of the milk with 1/4 cup sour cream; add 1-1/2 tablespoons minced fresh chives or freeze-dried.
Garlic: Add 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. Recipe adapted from Fleischmann's Yeast and shared with me from Wolf Appliance.
Ready to rise in cornmeal dusted pan.
Nearly to top after rising 45-60 minutes.
Ohhhh….I can’t wait to try this. I can remember living overseas and not having a stove or oven. Mom cooked EVERYTHING in the microwave. Cakes, cookies, and thanksgiving turkeys. It was 1976…and parents paid almost $500.00 for that microwave.
LOVE this summer English muffin loaf recipe and all it’s variations. Easy, and no kitchen heat.
I can hardly wait to try this! What a treat, Thanks.
This is such a great idea! I’m totally going to make this!!!
Your English Muffin Bread is super duper! I recently made it for visitors from Spain who requested whole wheat bread for breakfast. I substituted a bit more than half whole wheat flour and used honey. I was worried that the bread was too pale. They loved it and requested the recipe! Laurie loves it, too.
Yes! This microwave bread is a winner! And it’s SO easy :o)
This is a must try. I love English Muffins and having it as a loaf of bread is a great idea. Can’t wait to try this one.
Hi Jere – Would love to know if this muffin bread measures up to your taste in English Muffins! 🙂
What a great idea to bake it in the microwave! Gotta try that. I love English muffin bread – it’s perfect for toast.
yup, it’s really good! Just made a loaf today and am enjoying a slice now. Looks just like the photos.