Whole Wheat English Muffins

January 10, 2013

Back when we were in college, my little brother and one of our friends got into a very interesting debate about nooks vs. crannies. This debate may have been after a few beverages of the adult variety, (just sayin’).

But it definitely piqued my curiosity when I decided to make my own English muffins. You all remember the Thomas’ English Muffin commercials, talking about nooks and crannies right? But does anybody know what the heck they are?

So of course I looked up the definitions, after asking Mike, thinking since he was an English teacher, maybe he would have a clue. Alas, I was wrong, so to the old Funk & Wagnalls I went. (Yes, that is an actual name of a real life, real old dictionary.)

Apparently a nook is a small corner or recess and a cranny is a small, narrow opening. Hmmm….

How would you say that relates to English muffins? Number one, there are no corners on English muffins. Number two, a recess and an opening kind of sound like the same thing! So what are we, the consumer, to think? I’m starting to get worked up over here!!!

I can see now how these two words led to such a debate.

No matter what a nook or what a cranny is, they work together to make English muffins one of my favorite types of bread/carb aside from pizza… and pasta… and of course a good sourdough. Clearly, you see I have a carb problem.

Anyway, I saw this recipe for whole wheat English muffins from Stephie and I had to try and make them myself. It is a super easy recipe that will leave you with plenty to share or enjoy over the weekend all by your lonesome if you are a carb fiend like me!

Whole Wheat English Muffins

Course Baking/Bread
Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Author Sarcastic Cooking

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Milk
  • 1 Package 2 ¼ Teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter melted
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour plus some for rolling out muffins
  • 2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt
  • 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder dissolved in 1 Tablespoon Water
  • Cornmeal

Instructions

  1. Add milk to a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave milk on high for two and a half minutes until it reaches about 110 degrees F. Whisk in the sugar to the milk. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. When the yeast is foamy, whisk in the egg and melted butter.
  3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together flours and salt. Pour the milk and egg mixture into the flour mixture. Mix until incorporated. Dough will be wet and shaggy. Leave dough in the bowl, cover with a dishtowel, and leave to rise in a warm area for at least an hour. After an hour, mix in the baking soda mixture to the risen dough. Let the dough rest while you heat the griddle.

  4. After an hour begin to heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Lightly dust your hands with a bit of flour and then scoop out a ¼ of a cup portion of dough. Sprinkle a little bit of cornmeal on the skillet/griddle. Work the dough into a small circular disc in your hands and then place on the skillet/griddle. Cook each side for 7 to 10 minutes until deeply golden.
  5. Let English muffins cool for 10 minutes before eating. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for three days or freeze for up to a month.

Recipe from Eat Your Heart Out

You Might Also Like

  • What to make with leftover ham and eggs?
    March 28, 2016 at 7:17 am

    […] Whole Wheat English Muffin Breakfast Sandwiches […]

  • Leah
    October 24, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    Have you tried a shorter griddle time and baking them a bit after? Seems like the rise might be better that way. http://www.savorysimple.net/whole-wheat-english-muffins/

    I’m thinking I’ll try that and your way too. 🙂

  • How To Poach An Egg
    January 20, 2013 at 8:00 am

    […] After three to four minutes, remove the egg with a slotted spoon. Gently rinse the egg under cool running water for one second. Let the egg drain before adding it to a salad, pasta, sandwich, or even let’s say a homemade English muffin. […]

  • Chris
    January 13, 2013 at 7:32 am

    After considering all nooks and crannies I can only say that those English muffins look luvly, don’t they?

  • DessertForTwo
    January 10, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    These have been on my list to make for ages! It’s time to get to it! 🙂

    • Stefanie
      January 10, 2013 at 8:24 pm

      Get to it gurl!

  • Elizabeth
    January 10, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    These looks excellent. The traditional way to split muffins is with two forks back to back to increase the number of nook and crannies. Personally, I find it a far easier process with a knife but the fork method does make them look very authentic and rugged!

  • Anita at Hungry Couple
    January 10, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    OK, now I need some bacon and some eggs and we’ll be all set. Yum!

  • Chels R.
    January 10, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    I’ve always wanted to try and make English Muffins!

    • Stefanie
      January 10, 2013 at 1:28 pm

      You must try it! It is surprisingly easy!

  • Cookie and Kate
    January 10, 2013 at 10:36 am

    I love those silly heated debates that are fueled by adult beverages. I have never thought to define the difference between nook and cranny, but I’m glad to know the difference definitively now. These muffins look so tasty!

    • Stefanie
      January 10, 2013 at 1:30 pm

      Thanks Kate!

  • Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    January 10, 2013 at 10:35 am

    Those look like THE BEST english muffins I have ever seen. Bookmarking these! Michael loves English muffins and I’m a pretty big fan myself 🙂

  • Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
    January 10, 2013 at 9:06 am

    Yay I’m glad you liked them! Yours turned out much more uniform in shape than mine did. Way to go! 🙂

    • Stefanie
      January 10, 2013 at 9:12 am

      They are sooooo good! Mike has been eating them for breakfast, and he never eats breakfast! The trick to the shape was to get a lil dirty and put a little flour on your hands then shape the dough into a disc before cooking.