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English Muffin Bread

ByMaureen Published On Updated on

This English muffin bread gives you everything you love about English muffins, all those perfect nooks and crannies for catching melted butter and jam, without any of the fuss. No kneading, one bowl, and it makes four loaves at once so your freezer is stocked for weeks. This is the bread recipe for anyone who’s ever thought homemade bread was too much work.

Toasted English Muffin slices with butter and jam.
Jump to Recipe

English muffins are a favorite for breakfast.  English muffin bread…even better! I have always been intimidated by baking fresh bread, but I do love homemade over store- bought when it comes to just about everything these days.

I have been making this bread for years, and it is one of those recipes that never gets old. I love how easy it is to make, and knowing the freezer is stocked with homemade bread.  But my favourite part is how the butter melts into all the nocks and crannies, making it the perfect bread for breakfast!

If you love easy bread baking, this recipe is the perfect starting point, and you might also enjoy my Irish Boxty Bread for another no-fuss baking project that delivers big results with very little effort.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • VERY EASY – trust me when I tell you, this is the easiest bread recipe ever, very little active time required, and perfect for beginners.
  • SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – made with simple, budget-friendly pantry ingredients you probably already have o hand.
  • MULTI-PURPOSE – This bread is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, but also makes great croutons on salads.
  • EASY CLEAN-UP – Everything is made in just one bowl making clean-up a breeze
  • LARGE BATCH – This recipe makes 4 loaves at once, but can be scaled up or down depending on your needs

Ingredients You Will Need

There are just a handful of ingredients in this easy bread recipe, and most of them are pantry staples.

  • warm water – the water should feel comfortably warm to the touch, not hot. Too hot and it will kill the yeast, too cold and it won’t activate
  • active dry yeast – use three packages (24 grams total) and make sure your yeast is fresh. Check the expiry date before you begin
  • bread flour or all purpose flour – bread flour will give you a slightly chewier texture and more structure, but all purpose flour works beautifully too, and is what I use most often
  • salt and sugar – the sugar feeds the yeast and helps the bread rise; the salt adds flavour and helps control the rise
  • melted butter – brushed on top of the loaves near the end of baking for a golden, flavourful crust
An overhead view of ingredients to make English Muffin Bread

Kitchen equipment you will need

  • large mixing bowl
  • loaf pans
  • measuring cup
  • wooden spoon or spatula

No Bread Machine Required

I do not recommend making this English muffin bread in a bread machine, as they tend to mix and knead the ingredients and dough far more than is required. You want a light and airy dough that is not over-mixed to produce the nooks and crannies!

How To Make English Muffin Bread

Simply combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl, stirring just until combined.  The full directions are in the recipe card below, but these images can give you some reference as to how it comes together.

english muffin 1
english 2

The dough will be sticky and wet.  Just leave it rise until double in size.

english muffin 3

Divide between 4 well greased bread pans.

english muffin 4

Let rise again until it comes up to edges of the pan.

english muffin 5

Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes.  Brush with melted butter (vegan or regular) and continue to bake for additional 10 minutes, until top is golden brown.

english muffin 6
Fresh baked English Muffin loaf.
Overhead view of a slice fresh loaf of bread

You can already see the slightly course, yet soft texture of the English muffin bread, filled with lots for little air pockets. These rough edges crisp up to perfection when toasted.

How to serve English muffin loaf

It is moist and tasty right out of the oven with a spoonful of homemade strawberry jam or this yummy Balsamic Concorde Grape Jam. Personally, I think it is best toasted so all those nooks and crannies can catch the butter as it starts to melt!

2 slices of toasted English muffin loaf on a green transfer ware plate

Other bread recipes I think you’ll love…

Close up photo of 3 round loaves of Irish boxty bread on parchment paper.
best english scone recipe
Whole What Everything Bagels

Irish Boxty Bread English Scones Easy Everything Bagels

2 slices of toasted English muffin loaf on a green transfer ware plate

English Muffin Bread

Maureen Reynolds
This English muffin bread is the easiest bread you will ever make! Filled with all the nooks and crannies for catching the melting butter, jams and jellies! And, only one bowl!!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting Time6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4 loaves

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • 4 Loaf pans

Ingredients
  

  • 5 ½ cups warm water
  • 3 packages 24 grams total active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 11 cups bread flour or all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons vegan or regular butter, melted

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients into a large bowl and mix until incorporated and leave it to rise until doubled in size. Divide dough between 4 bread pans and let rise until it reaches the top of the pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Brush tops with melted butter. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Allow to cool. Best if enjoyed toasted.

Notes

Wrap tightly and store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to a month.
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!
https://www.redcottagechronicles.com/baking/english-muffin-bread/
5 from 2 votes

64 Comments

        1. Hi Judy! Each packet of yeast contains 2 1/4 teaspoons. You could use one whole packet plus measure out 1 1/8 tsp of a second packet! Hope that helps 🙂

  2. This looks absolutely wonderful. My favorite thing about english muffins are the way the holes make a little well for the butter to melt into. Mmmmm…. You wrote about them being healthy and here I am thinking of slathering toasted slices in loads of butter!

  4. Oh! This looks wonderful! 🙂 My girls eat bread so I will need to make it for them . Does it freeze well?

    1. This freezes very well. I always halve the recipe and make 2 loaves, but making four and freezing is just as quick and easy as making 2!

  10. Wow, that looks delicious! I’ve never had English muffin as a load before.

    Perfect to serve two loaves of this at the farm house table in the morning, joy.

    Hope you are well, take care xx

    1. Thank you! It certainly goes fast at our house!! I would love to know how you enjoy it if you get a chance to give it a try!

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  12. Recipe calls for 24 grams (3) packs of active yeast. Packs I bought come in 21 grams so that would be 63 grams if I add 3 as described in recipe. I’m going to half the recipe and am concerned that might be a typo. How many 21 gram envelopes so I use for half recipe?

    1. Hi Marcia! Thanks for your question! I double checked,and the yeast packets I use are 8 grams each and come in a 3 pack, so yes the total amount I use is 24 grams for the full recipe. So you would need 12 grams if you plan to halve the recipe! Hope that helps!

  13. I’ve never made English Muffins – but I’m going to try your recipe. I think they will be great for a breakfast or brunch meal. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi Amber! The first rise will take about an hour, and the second ris in the pans about 30 minutes, but is dependent of course on how warm your kitchen is! I don’t have a proof setting on my oven, so usually leave it on the counter in front of a sunny window!

    1. Hi Gabby! I have not personally tried to make it with gluten free flour, but you have me wanting to try it! I will let you know how it turns out and whether I would recommend it! I generally use a 1 to 1 gluten free flour from a local bulk food store when I bake something gluten free and have never had a problem, but haven’t tried bread yet!

  16. Just made this 1/2 whole wheat flour. This was my first time making bread and it turned out absolutely delicious. That you so much for this wonderful recipe!

  18. If I use 4 mini bread pans instead of 2 loaf pans would that change the baking time?

    1. I have never tried it, but I have found that using whole wheat flour can make breads denser and this might be a concern.

      1. I’ve made two loaves subbing 1&1/2 cups of white whole wheat flour for that much of the AP with good results, just to add fiber. Haven’t tried subbing more than that though.

      1. Ok, thank you! I wanted to check before I make it as a treat for my grandson during his virtual learning day tomorrow. I make homemade jams and I think it will be a hit!

  24. I like cranberry english muffins that you can only get during the holidays, have you tried adding something like cranberries to the recipe and do you think it would work.

    1. Bonnie, did you ever receive an answer to your question about adding additional items i.e., cranberries? You asked in Oct 2020 and hoped by today Jan 2021 you might have been acknowledged! Did you try it anyway?

      1. Hi Betty! I personally have never added anything to the recipe as I prefer to have it just the way it is! I would love to know if you try it and how it turns out!

  25. I’m on my third batch of this bread. Four loaves at a time. We love it! Thank you for a great recipe.

    1. Hey Jennifer! I have used different sizes, but usually use either standard size 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 or my Pampered Chef Pan, which is 9 x 5 inches. Hope that helps!

  27. I live in a senior complex and I’m thinking this would make a great Christmas gift for friends and neighbors, instead of cookies or candy, using mini loaf pans. Has anyone tried it with mini pans?

    1. Sorry Marie, I am just seeing your question now. I do combine all the flour before letting it rise. It has never been a problem. The dough is still somewhat sticky after incorporating all the flour, regardless if I am making a half recipe or the whole recipe.

  29. Hello, this looks really good. I only need to make 1 loaf because there are only 2 of us. What measurements should I use?

  30. I am getting ready to bake some bread – it’s snowing outside so sounded like a good idea! I made it a few months ago and it was fabulous and so easy. It made the best grilled cheese sandwich I have ever eaten. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

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  33. 5 stars
    My husband asks for this bread on repeat! My favorite ways to use it are French toast, grilled cheese, and toasting with strawberry rhubarb spread.

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