Multigrain English Muffins

I have always wanted to make English muffins. I don't know why I thought they would be difficult or complicated, they really weren't. As soon as I saw Martha's recipe for multigrain English muffins, I knew it was time. The recipe just called to me.
This is a stiff dough, I had to let mine rest longer than her instructions said, but that was fine. I cooked them on my extra large cast iron fry pan on level 4 (out of 10) which seemed to be the right temperature for my electric range.
The only thing I would do differently next time is cut them with a 4 inch cutter. That way they would perfectly fit a whole egg.

Multigrain English Muffins
Martha Stewart Living, June 2009

Ingredients
Makes 15 small muffins
1/2 cup warm water (115 degrees)
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons active dry yeast (from one 1/4-ounce envelope)
1 teaspoon unsalted butter, plus more for serving (optional)
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 tablespoon coarse salt
2 teaspoons whole flaxseed
1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds (optional)
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1/4 cup coarse cornmeal
Preserves, for serving (optional)

Directions
Combine warm water, honey, yeast, and butter in a bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy.
Combine flours, oats, wheat germ, salt, and flaxseed, and caraway seeds if desired, in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and buttermilk, and mix with your hands until flours are almost fully incorporated. Turn out mixture onto a clean surface, and knead until smooth, about 3 minutes.
Lightly coat a large mixing bowl with cooking spray, and place dough in bowl. Cover with plastic, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead for about 1 1/2 minutes, and roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut out rounds. Roll and cut scraps once. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment, and dust with cornmeal. Place rounds on sheet, cover with plastic, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until puffy, about 20 minutes.
Heat a large griddle or 12-inch skillet over low heat. Working in batches, place rounds 1 1/2 inches apart. Cook until golden brown and dry, about 7 minutes per side. Let cool for 30 minutes; split with a fork. Toast, and serve with butter and preserves if desired. Muffins can be stored, wrapped in plastic, for 2 days, or refrigerated (up to 1 week) or frozen (up to 2 weeks).

Makes great Egg McMummies. Seriously, who needs a certain golden arched giant? Make your own at home, they are healthier and less expensive.
If you would like to try your hand at a healthier Sausage McMuffin, click here for my friend Deb's version.

These English muffins have been Yeastspotted with imafoodblog!