English Muffin Bread
On days that my mother would make Aunt Gertie’s “Two-Hour Cinnamon Rolls” all of us kids couldn’t wait to have one as soon as they were cool enough to bite into. They smelled divine and the gooey caramel-nut topping, mixed with the yeasty cinnamon rolls, so-o-o delicious. These rolls were one of my favorite treats as a child. If there were any left the next day (a rare occurrence), they were even good cold! But usually my brother polished them off before the rest of us had a chance.
“Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” James Beard
Although desserts are my first love, making bread is a close second. I love the process of combining the ingredients, kneading the dough, waiting for it to rise, and shaping it into loaves or fancy rolls. I also love the way the whole house smells like heaven while the bread bakes. I usually can’t wait to cut into the loaf, spread a thick slice with butter and have that first bite. I think I’ll make bread today!
Bread specifics
Yeast Breads
Multi-grain. This is a nutty, hearty bread that has a chewy texture and a fine crusty exterior.
Whole Wheat. This is my favorite sandwich bread because it is hearty and delicious.
White Bread. This white bread is made in a bread machine and always comes out perfect...chewy on the inside and crusty on the outside.
English Muffin Bread. I’ve made English muffins several times and love the flavor so when I found this recipe for English Muffin Bread I had to try it. I wasn’t disappointed. It has a coarse texture and is perfect for toasting.
Breadsticks. I love the breadsticks at the Olive Garden and was delighted to find this copycat recipe. These are amazing...garlic-y, salty, soft, chewy. They’re even good re-heated in a microwave for just a few seconds.
Quick Bread & Muffins
Cornbread. Cornbread has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. It’s like dessert, without the guilt. When I was in college, I would eat cornbread for breakfast! This recipe produces a golden cornbread that is sweet, soft, moist and buttery.
Cinnamon Quick Bread. This sweet breakfast bread has a wonderfully craggy top and a luscious cinnamon swirl throughout the sweet, soft bread. The smell alone makes it a wonderful bread to make early in the morning.
Banana Bread. This bread is loaded with banana flavor and not too sweet. It’s a perfect banana bread...moist and soft and divine.
French Breakfast Puffs. This was my favorite midnight snack when I was in high school. My sister and I would often be up all night and now and then we’d get the bright idea to make French Breakfast Puffs. Our parents never got out of bed to ask us what we were doing. They just let us carry on and enjoyed the fruits of our madness the next morning.
French Breakfast Puffs
Yeast Breads
- “Gluten-Free White Bread for Bread Machines” — allrecipes
(Yes, I said “bread machine.” Sometimes you need a loaf of bread right now!) - “Gluten-Free Multi-Grain Bread” — Kim’s Kitchen (YouTube video)
- “English Muffin Bread” — Gluten-Free on a Shoestring
- “Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks” — Handle the Heat with Tessa Arias
- “Two-Hour Cinnamon Rolls” — Family recipe...thanks, Aunt Gertie!
Quick Breads & Muffins
- “Cornbread” — Family recipe...thanks, Mom!
- “Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread” — Gluten-Free on a Shoestring
- “Banana Bread” — America’s Test Kitchen (cookbook)
- “French Breakfast Puffs” — My own family recipe
French Breakfast Puffs
Loaves or Rolls?
Some of my favorite recipes will make two loaves and some will make only one loaf. Lately everyone in my family seems to have different likes and dislikes when it comes to bread and different dietary needs. Gluten-free? No problem. Multi-grain or whole wheat? Gotcha covered. Thin-sliced white bread? You got it. Sweet? Savory? Yup...that, too. On a no-carb diet? What? Wait! This is bread, afterall. It’s all about the carbs. So, no, I haven’t been able to come up with a bread recipe for a no-carb diet. But I do make a few low-carb breads that are very satisfying.
If I’m making the bread to bring to a potluck or a family gathering, I will often make rolls instead of loaves. It’s just easier to share. And one of my favorite breads to bring are “Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks.” (See “The Recipes” above.) They are garlic-y and salty and yeasty. In short, they are perfect.
Yeast Breads
Gluten-Free Multi-grain Bread: rice flour, quinoa flour, millet flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, sorghum flour, xanthan gum, pectin, flaxseed meal, salt, eggs, cider vinegar, honey, brown sugar, coconut oil, coconut milk, yeast
Gluten-Free White Bread: eggs, cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, water, salt, xanthan gum, pectin, sugar, cornstarch, buttermilk, potato starch, tapioca starch, rice flour, yeast
Whole Wheat Bread: bread flour, whole wheat flour, butter, water, honey, yeast, salt
English Muffin Bread: milk, bread flour, cornmeal, baking soda, sugar, yeast, salt
Breadsticks: bread flour, water, yeast, sugar, butter, salt, garlic
Cinnamon Rolls: yeast, water, sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt, flour, brown sugar, corn syrup
Quick Bread & Muffins
Corn Bread: corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, oil, milk, egg
Cinnamon Quick Bread: flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, butter, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon
Banana Bread: ripe bananas, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, butter, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla extract, pecans, sugar
French Breakfast Puffs: butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, milk, vanilla extract; plus cinnamon, sugar, and more butter for the finishing touches
Bread Basket or Bag?
Bread Basket. I serve rolls and breadsticks in a bread basket lined with a colorful kitchen towel that is large enough to wrap the rolls and keep them warm.
Bags. If I plan to give bread as a gift, I will put it into a bread bag once it’s completely cooled and tie the bag with a ribbon. I usually include a tag listing the ingredients, too, for those who might have any allergies.
What I’ve learned...
These breads and muffins were made with the best and freshest ingredients I could find. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking if taste and texture are just so-so? Baking bread takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who eat my breads appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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