Blueberry English Muffins

The blueberry in these tasty homemade muffins are a joyous burst of sweet flavour, and smothered in hot butter straight from the oven… sublime. This blueberry english muffin recipe does involve some of the bread making process with 2 proves, so it isn’t quick, but you can leave the first prove in the fridge overnight if you would like hot English Muffins for brunch.

300g strong bread flour

7g fast acting yeast (1 sachet)

7g salt

2 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp butter

200ml milk

100g blueberries

Semolina

In a jug, add the milk, butter and sugar and heat in the microwave in 20 second bursts until the milk is warm. Add the yeast to the milk mixture, whisk in and leave for 5 minutes for the yeast to start creating foam on the surface.

In a big bowl, add the flour and salt. Pour in the milk mixture and stir until it forms a sticky dough. Either kneed this by hand for 10 minutes, or mix using a stand mixer and the dough hook for 7-8 minutes.

Oil the sides of the bowl, cover and leave the dough to double in size in a warm place (1 hour).

Line a tray with greaseproof paper and sprinkle with some semolina.

Once doubled in size, turn out onto a surface lightly dusted with flour. Add in the blueberries and kneed until the blueberries are evenly dispersed. This will make the dough very sticky. Use some of the semolina to help shape the dough.

Press the dough into a rough rectangle shape about 1cm thick and using a cutter (about 8cm in diameter, but it doesn’t have to be precise), cut out the rounds of dough and place on the tray. Use all the dough to get about 6 muffins. Sprinkle more semolina on top and leave to prove for another 45 minutes.

Once proved, heat a thick bottom pan or skillet to a medium heat and add the muffins carefully to the pan. Each side should take 5 – 8 minutes to cook but keep an eye on them in case they brown too quickly. If they do, just pop them into the oven to finish baking the centre.

These muffins are delicious hot from the pan/oven but will last 3 days. They are also delicious toasted too.