There’s just something magical about the English Muffin Bread Recipe—a golden, crusty exterior with a delightfully chewy and craggy crumb, full of those signature nooks and crannies that beg to be slathered with butter and jam. If you love the cozy breakfast comfort of English muffins but want an easier, loaf-style approach, this recipe is about to become your go-to favorite. No fussy shaping or special molds—just pure, toasty bliss in every slice.

English Muffin Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The life-changing magic of this English Muffin Bread Recipe comes from a humble set of ingredients, each playing a crucial part in achieving that soft, airy crumb and robust flavor. Don’t skip or substitute carelessly: every item in the bowl earns its spot, whether building structure or adding unmistakable color and aroma!

Flour: The backbone of the bread, providing body and structure. Adjust as needed to reach the ideal goopy texture.
Yeast: Fast-acting or standard, yeast is key for those airy little pockets and that classic bread rise.
Honey (or sugar): Adds subtle sweetness and helps activate the yeast with a touch of delicious flavor.
Warm water (110F): Just warm to the touch, this brings yeast to life without killing it.
Kosher salt: Enhances every bite, balancing flavor and strengthening the dough.
Baking soda: Gives the bread an extra lift and encourages those rustic, craggy holes.
Warm milk (110F): Makes the crumb tender, while the warmth helps the dough rise beautifully.
Butter: For greasing pans—helps achieve that crisp, golden crust while preventing sticking.
Cornmeal: Dusting your pans with cornmeal creates that classic crunchy bottom and top you expect from an English muffin.

How to Make English Muffin Bread Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast

Start by stirring together the yeast, honey, and warm water in a small bowl. Give it a few minutes until it turns frothy and bubbly—this shows your yeast is alive and ready to work its rising magic in the English Muffin Bread Recipe.

Step 2: Blend the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the kosher salt, baking soda, and 1 cup of the flour. Whisking these together first ensures even distribution of the salt and soda, which means better flavor and rise throughout your loaf.

Step 3: Combine with Milk and Yeast Mixture

Add the warm milk to the bowl with your activated yeast mixture, then pour this liquid into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Stir everything together until you have a nice, smooth base.

Step 4: Finish the Dough

Slowly add the rest of the flour, up to the remaining 3 1/2 cups, mixing as you go. Stop when you have a soft, sticky, almost goopy dough. It should look more like a thick batter than a classic bread dough—this is what gives your English Muffin Bread Recipe its famous texture.

Step 5: Prepare the Pans

Generously butter two loaf pans, then dust them with a little cornmeal on all sides. This helps the loaves slip out easily and delivers the signature English muffin crunch.

Step 6: Spoon and Rise

Divide the goopy dough between the two pans. Smooth out the tops, cover lightly, and set in a warm spot until the batter doubles and peaks above the rim—about 30 to 45 minutes. This rise is when all those nooks and crannies start to form.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 425F. Sprinkle a little more cornmeal atop each loaf and bake for 15 minutes until the bread sounds hollow when tapped and reads 190F-200F inside. For an extra-crisp, deep-golden crust, add 5-10 more minutes in the oven.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Allow the bread to cool in the pans for a few minutes before turning out onto wire racks. Wait until slightly warm before slicing—the wait is worth it for the perfect English Muffin Bread Recipe texture!

How to Serve English Muffin Bread Recipe

Garnishes

A classic pat of butter melting into every crevice is a must, but this bread also shines with a swipe of your favorite fruit jam, honey, or even a little cinnamon sugar for an extra treat.

Side Dishes

Pair slices of your English Muffin Bread Recipe with crispy bacon, creamy scrambled eggs, or a soothing bowl of soup for lunch. The bread’s texture holds up to hearty side dishes and is perfect with savory or sweet accompaniments.

Creative Ways to Present

For a wow-worthy brunch, cut thick slices and toast them, set up a DIY toppings bar (think: whipped cream cheese, smoked salmon, avocado slices, or berry compotes), or even transform leftovers into extraordinary French toast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool the loaf completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Store at room temperature for 2-3 days, and it’ll stay fresh—just toast to revive every last nook!

Freezing

English Muffin Bread Recipe freezes beautifully. Slice before freezing for easy grab-and-go breakfast—just pop frozen slices straight into the toaster. Wrap tightly and store in a freezer bag up to two months.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked aroma and crunch, toast slices straight from the fridge or freezer, or warm the whole loaf in a 325F oven for 10 minutes for soft, bakery-fresh results.

FAQs

Can I make this English Muffin Bread Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use a trusted 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but note that texture might vary slightly. Keep the dough goopy and soft for the best results—don’t be tempted to over-flour.

Why does my dough look so sticky and loose?

That’s actually perfect! A soft, batter-like dough is the secret to those glorious English muffin nooks and crannies. Resist the urge to add more flour; embrace the goopiness.

What’s the best way to get a crunchy crust?

Dust both your pans and the top of your dough with cornmeal before baking, and extend the baking time by 5-10 minutes for an extra-crisp, golden crust.

Can I flavor my English Muffin Bread Recipe with herbs or cheese?

Absolutely! Stir in up to 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, fresh chopped herbs, or even finely diced jalapeño with the flour for fun flavor twists.

How do I know when my bread is done baking?

A fully baked loaf sounds hollow when tapped and registers 190F-200F inside on a thermometer. If you’re in doubt, give it an extra five minutes to ensure a sturdy, sliceable crumb.

Final Thoughts

Give yourself the gift of a kitchen that smells amazing and mornings that start right—try this English Muffin Bread Recipe and prepare to be hooked on homemade. Once you have a taste of those warm, craggy slices, you’ll never look at store-bought the same way again!

English Muffin Bread Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 26 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 2 loaves 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This English Muffin Bread recipe yields two delicious loaves of bread that are perfect for toasting and enjoying with your favorite spreads. The bread has a slightly tangy flavor reminiscent of English muffins, with a soft interior and a crispy crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Yeast Mixture:

2 tablespoons yeast
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup warm water (110F)

Wet Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups warm milk (110F)

Butter and cornmeal for greasing and dusting the pans.

Instructions

Activate yeast: Mix the yeast, honey, and water. Set aside.
Blend dry ingredients: Stir the salt, baking soda, and 1 cup of flour together.
Add the milk to the yeast mixture: Blend well.
Add remaining flour: Add the remaining flour, enough to give you a soft goopy dough, and beat.
Soft dough: You should have a very soft, goopy dough.
Add to loaf pans: Spoon the dough into 2 greased and cornmeal-dusted loaf pans.
Let rise: Set aside in a warm place until doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
Preheat oven: Preheat to 425F.
Dust tops and bake: Dust loaves with cornmeal, bake for 15 minutes until hollow when tapped or internal temp is 190-200F.
Bake longer for a crisper crust: Bake for 20-25 minutes for a golden crust.
Cool and slice: Enjoy your homemade English Muffin Bread!

Notes

This bread is best enjoyed toasted with butter or jam.
You can customize the recipe by adding herbs or cheese to the dough.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for freshness.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 40g)
Calories: 120
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 1.5g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 5mg

Keywords: English Muffin Bread, Homemade Bread, Breakfast Bread, Baking