Description
This English Muffin Toasting Bread recipe delivers soft, airy bread with the perfect texture for toasting. Made with simple ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, and a touch of oil, this loaf combines traditional English muffin flavors in a convenient pan-baked form. The cornmeal coating on the pan adds a subtle crunch, making it ideal for breakfast toast or sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups (361g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (14g) sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (227g) milk
- ¼ cup (57g) water
- 2 tablespoons (25g) vegetable oil or olive oil
Other
- Cornmeal, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and instant yeast thoroughly to ensure even distribution of all dry components.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk, water, and oil. Warm the mixture until it reaches 120°F to 130°F, then stir well before measuring to activate the yeast properly.
- Mix Dough: Pour the warmed wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix until fully combined, then beat the dough at high speed for 1 minute to develop a smooth and soft texture.
- Prepare Pan: Lightly grease an 8 ½” x 4 ½” loaf pan and sprinkle cornmeal on the bottom and sides. This creates a textured crust similar to traditional English muffins.
- Transfer Dough: Scoop the soft dough into the prepared pan and gently level it out to create an even surface for rising and baking.
- Let Dough Rise: Cover the pan with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 45 to 60 minutes until it barely crowns over the rim, indicating proper fermentation.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough rises, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for baking immediately after rising.
- Bake: Uncover the risen dough and bake for 22 to 27 minutes until the loaf is golden brown and an internal thermometer reads 190°F to guarantee it’s fully baked.
- Cool: After removing from the oven, let the bread rest for 5 minutes. Then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, ensuring clean slices and optimal texture.
Notes
- Using instant yeast speeds up the rising process, but ensure the liquid is between 120°F and 130°F to avoid killing the yeast.
- If you don’t have cornmeal, fine semolina can also be used for dusting the pan to add texture.
- The bread’s texture closely mimics the interior of classic English muffins, making it perfect for toasting and topping with butter or jam.
- For a richer flavor, substitute vegetable oil with olive oil as preferred.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking to achieve the ideal crust and crumb structure.
