English Muffins

Directions

• This is when a bread machine comes in handy. Add ingredients except semolina flour to bread machine and set to dough setting. I tend to use the longer setting. Otherwise combine all ingredients except semolina flour to a mixing bowl. If using a stand mixer, beat dough with flat beater paddle for about 5 minutes.
• Dough will be soft. If using bread machine you don’t have to do anything. Just let it in the bread machine for 1-2 hours. If not using a bread machine, form dough into a rough ball and place in the bowl, covered for 1 to 2 hours. So the dough doesn’t dry, I like to spray a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and cover the bowl with that first, then cover with a towel.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal balls. I use a kitchen scale and each ball will be about 3.2 oz. Form a round ball and place on a floured surface or a surface sprinkled with the semolina flour. Flatten slightly. Cover with a towel.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I place a cookie sheet in the oven so it is ready for the baking step.
• Using a cast iron skillet, griddle or heavy skillet, place the skillet on a very low temperature on the stove. I use a well seasoned cast iron skillet so I don’t have to do anything to prepare the surface. If you don’t have a well seasoned skillet, you can spray it with a cooking spray first. Let the skillet heat through which will take several minutes. Sprinkle the surface with semolina flour. I personally do not sprinkle the surface with semolina.
• Add the dough balls to the skillet. You will need to do this in batches. I can do 4 at one time. Cook on each side about 7 or more minutes until the side turns a nice golden brown. Turn and brown the other side. This is where a food thermometer is handy. The internal temperature should be 200 degrees. If it is not, you can move them to the cookie tray in the oven and continuing cooking for another 5 to 8 minutes.
• Once the muffins reach an internal temperature of 200 degrees, move them to a cooling rack.
• Use a fork to split the muffin so you get the nooks and crannies!