Basic English Muffins

Directions

1. 1
   Yeast-flour Mixture: In large bowl of mixer stir together 2 cup flour, the sugar, salt and dry yeast; set aside.
2. 2
   Liquid Mixture: Heat milk, water and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees F).
3. 3
   Add gradually to yeast-flour mixture and beat at medium speed 2 minutes.
4. 4
   Add egg and 1 cup flour; beat at high speed 2 minutes.
5. 5
   Stir in just enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
6. 6
   Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, adding more remaining flour if dough is sticky.
7. 7
   Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm, draft-free place until double, about one hour.
8. 8
   Punch down.
9. 9
   Cover and let rise again until double, about 45 minutes.
10. 10
    Punch down.
11. 11
    On lightly floured surface roll out 1/2 inch thick.
12. 12
    With a 3 1/4 inch round cutter cut out muffins.
13. 13
    Sprinkle cookie sheets lightly with cornmeal.
14. 14
    Add muffins, about 1 inch apart.
15. 15
    Sprinkle with additional cornmeal.
16. 16
    Cover; let rise until double, about 45 minutes.
17. 17
    Heat lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet.
18. 18
    With wide spatula carefully remove muffins (do not compress or puncture or they will collapse) to griddle.
19. 19
    Bake over very low heat 8 to 10 minutes on each side until light brown.
20. 20
    (Muffins should sound hollow when tapped) Cool on racks.
21. 21
    To serve, split with fork tines; toast.
22. 22
    VARIATIONS - ONION: Add 1 envelope onion soup mix and 3 tablespoon nonfat dry milk to yeast-flour mixture and decrease salt to 1 teaspoon Increase butter to 2 tablespoon Substitute 1 3/4 cup water for the milk in liquid mixture (total 2 cup water).