3/31/10

Home Made English Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup milk
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/4 cup melted shortening
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in the sugar, stirring until dissolved. Let cool until lukewarm. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the milk, yeast mixture, shortening and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add salt and rest of flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Knead. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise.

Punch down. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut rounds with biscuit cutter, drinking glass, or empty tuna can. Sprinkle waxed paper with cornmeal and set the rounds on this to rise. Dust tops of muffins with cornmeal also. Cover and let rise 1/2 hour.

Heat greased griddle. Cook muffins on griddle about 10 minutes on each side on medium heat. Keep baked muffins in a warm oven until all have been cooked. Allow to cool and place in plastic bags for storage. To use, split and toast. Great with orange butter, or cream cheese and jam

Maple Walnut Muffins



   Ingredients:
                                                                                                                                              
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup real maple syrup
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line muffin pan with paper baking cups.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together and set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Stir in the maple syrup and the eggs and beat until well blended. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk and beat until well blended. Stir in the walnuts. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins filling each about 3/4 full.
4. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove to wire rack to cool completely