Apart from the fact that this bread was so good it doesn’t need any fancy styling to detract from the star of the show, there is a reason for its severe lack of styling. Friday morning I woke up feeling quite off. I decided to ditch my walk. I felt like I really needed to eat something and fast.

The thought of my regular smoothie turned my stomach and immediately my brain went to vegemite toast. I thought it must have been a delayed attack of morning sickness, which I luckily escaped in the first trimester but I was wrong. The only bread we had was this loaf of English muffin bread that I’d made the previous day which was sitting, un-cut on the bench waiting for its photo shoot.

I whacked it in front of the window and snapped a few shots then sliced off a few slices and clicked the camera a couple more times. I must add, it sliced very well. I’ve always wanted one of those bread-slicing guides because cutting even pieces is not my forte but this loaf made me look like a pro.

I threw one of said slices in the toaster then smeared it with a little butter and lots of vegemite and took about two photos before gobbling it up standing over the poor excuse for a photo set up. The morning went downhill from there with a trip to the doctor confirming that it wasn’t morning sickness it was a nice dose of gastro which apparently is rampant in the area at the moment.

On the plus side I got to hear bubba’s heart beat again which almost made it all worthwhile.

If another good thing came from my little bug it was discovering how good this bread is for toast. You know how English muffins are pretty tough and don’t tear when you’re spreading toppings on them like some bread does? That’s exactly what this loaf is like. It toasts nice and tough but it’s still really soft and fluffy in the middle with a nice crunchy crust coated in cornmeal.

Will made me my ~~dinner~~ vegemite toast on Friday night and thought it looked so good he had the same himself later declaring it ‘the best toast bread ever.’ I have to say I agree with him. No I haven’t given up on sourdough, it will always be my favourite but this is definitely second in line when it comes to good toast. Enjoy!

English muffin bread

Name: English muffin bread
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: 14
Ingredients: 1 tbsp sea salt flakes; 1 tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp caser (superfine) sugar; 1 tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast; 5 3/4 cup baker's flour; 2 3/4 cup luke-warm water (110F); 1/4 cup cornmeal

Yield: 14

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 tbsp sea salt flakes
1 tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp caser (superfine) sugar
1 tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
5 3/4 cup baker's flour
2 3/4 cup luke-warm water (110F)
1/4 cup cornmeal

Instructions

In the bowl of an electric mixer, use the dough hook to combine the salt, sugar, yeast and flour.
With the motor running, slowly add the water.
When the water is all incorporated, increase the speed and knead for 6 minutes.
Scrape the dough into a rough pile in the middle of the bowl (it will be sticky) and cover with plastic wrap then set aside to rise until doubled in size (about an hour).
Meanwhile spray two regular-sized loaf tins with oil and then coat with the cornmeal.
When the dough has risen, spray your hands with oil and punch down the dough then divide in half and press half into each tin.
Spray the top with oil, cover with plastic wrap and leave to almost double in size again.
Pre-heat the oven to 160C (350F) fan-forced.
Bake the risen loaves for 40-45 minutes or until golden.
Transfer the baked loaves to a wire rack to cool.
Slice up when cool and store in a plastic bag in the fridge or freezer.

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20 Comments

Laura (Tutti Dolci) on October 26, 2013 at 3.28 am
I love English muffins so this bread is a wonderful idea. Hope you are feeling better!
- Claire on October 26, 2013 at 2.01 pm
  Thanks Laura!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on October 25, 2013 at 10.15 pm
I was going to ask how the morning sickness has been going or whether you had had it. Sounds like a delicious solution to it :D
- Claire on October 26, 2013 at 2.00 pm
  Yes escaped it luckily!
The Life of Clare on October 25, 2013 at 5.39 am
That’s awful Claire! But the bread does look wonderful!
- Claire on October 25, 2013 at 2.53 pm
  It is! Now to find a sourdough version.
Stephanie@Henry Happened on October 25, 2013 at 12.28 am
You always come up with this delicious ideas!
- Claire on October 25, 2013 at 2.53 pm
  Thanks Stephanie!
ChrissieJay on October 24, 2013 at 11.37 pm
How do you think this would go in a bread maker Claire?
- Claire on October 25, 2013 at 2.53 pm
  I assume it would work just as well Chrissie. The only thing you’d miss is the cornmeal crust.
Hotly Spiced on October 24, 2013 at 9.27 pm
Well the bread looks very good but I’m so sorry to hear about your bout of sickness. That doesn’t sound good especially when you’re pregnant. My sister is now 37 weeks with no sign of going into labor. She’s quite pleased as she’s very sick with the flu and wants to get over that and Halloween (lives in the USA) before the baby arrives xx
- Claire on October 25, 2013 at 2.52 pm
  Nope not great but luckily it didn’t last too long. Fingers crossed for your sister! x
Lisa the Gourmet Wog on October 24, 2013 at 9.22 pm
Sorry you haven’t been feeling well Claire, I remember it like it was yesterday. Veg on toast is my go to when I’m my tummy isn’t settled and your bread looks so good!
- Claire on October 25, 2013 at 2.52 pm
  What is it about vege? I guess it was what we were all fed when we were little so it’s comforting?
Danielle on October 24, 2013 at 4.26 pm
Hope you are feeling much better Claire. This bread as toast with Vegemite would definitely help, looks so comforting ;-)
- Claire on October 24, 2013 at 8.54 pm
  I am thank you Danielle. It was the perfect cure!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef on October 24, 2013 at 3.34 pm
Poor thing! Pregnant women shouldn’t have to get gastro – they have enough to deal with.
I love your bread and I’m going to make this for breakfast. I like a bread that doesn’t need styling.
I’m glad to know you’re on the mend.
- Claire on October 24, 2013 at 3.54 pm
  Yes I’ll agree with that! Yay enjoy!
celia on October 24, 2013 at 2.17 pm
I’m sorry you’ve been crook, Claire! Good news that all is well with the bubba though! This bread looks fantastic – I love English muffins, but haven’t made any for ages, so I reckon I’d love an English muffin loaf. I think I’ve actually tried to make one in the past, but it didn’t look nearly as good as yours! :)
- Claire on October 24, 2013 at 3.53 pm
  It’s such tasty bread Celia!