Friday, May 2, 2008

Crumpets

I don't know about the rest of the word, but I can not just sit around and do nothing. It might just kill me. I can't just sit down and relax, I'm just to fidgety. So when I'm bored I break out the trusty bread bible, and look for inspiration, or search random blogs. Or in this case, a recipe that I have never seen before. In fact When I decided to make this, I didn't know what a crumpet was. All I could think of was the phrase "crumpets and tea" So they started like any other bread that I have made, except on the second rise you had to stir in baking soda.Weird. Then you cooked them on a stove top.
It was odd cooking them on the stove top. It sort of reminded me of cooking pancakes except different. The batter was quite thick and super bubbly. It made the kitchen smell heavenly, like a little bakery.
And Oh my gosh were they tasty! They were like an English muffin times a 100. The texture was so light and fluffy with lots of little holes. You can toast them up again if you made them at night like I did. Serve them with jelly of jam or just about anything!





Crumpets

The Bread Bible by Rose Levy Berenbaum



  • 1 cup plus 1 1/2 tbs unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbs dry milk
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 plus 2 tbs water divided
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp butter
  1. Mix the batter. In a large mixer bowl beat together the flour, dry milk, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the 3/4 cup of water and, gradually beat on med. for about 5 min. until completely smooth.
  2. Let the batter rise. Scrape the dough into into a container with a one quart rising capacity. With a piece of tape mark on the side where doubled the height would be. Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
  3. Add the baking soda and water and let dough rise again. In a small bowl mix together the baking soda and remaining 2 tbs of water.Stir into the batter and allow to rise again until almost doubled, about 30 min. The batter will be filled with bubbles.
  4. Preheat the griddle or frying pan. If using an electric griddle, preheat to 275 degrees. If using a skillet,heat over low until a drop of water sizzles when added.
  5. Fry the crumpets. Brush the pan, and the insides of the crumpet rings lightly with melted butter. Set the rings in the pan and use a ladle to spoon, or pour the batter into the rings, filling 2/3 full. The batter will rise to the top during cooking. Cook the crumpets for 10 min on one side, or until they are nicely browned underneath and have lost their dull shine on top. Turn the crumpets and continue to cook until the bottoms are browned.
  6. Cool the crumpets. Remove the crumpets and move to a wire rack. Cool completely. They can be stored over night in a paper bag, or frozen well wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw before toasting.

24 comments:

RecipeGirl said...

Those look wonderful! I would never have thought of making my own crumpets.

I seriously need that Bread Bible because like you, I sit around and go Hmmm. Hmmm. Hmmm. What can I cook?? It's either that, reading cookbooks or cutting recipes out of magazines!

Deborah said...

I have never had a crumpet before, but now I really want some! They look delicious!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE crumpets, preferably with clotted cream, jam, and a hot cup of tea ... Yours look delicious!

Elle said...

Homemade crumpets are awesome! We made them a couple of times. English muffins are amazing too, when they're homemade.

They look so good!

Nina Timm said...

I have never seen crumpets looking this fluffy and light. Thx, I'll be making them today.....

Anonymous said...

Wow, these look great. I've never attempted crumpets either.

giz said...

Why do I have this urge to order an egg mcmuffin with bacon? I bet this would make an incredible breakfast sandwich.

Mama Mia said...

mmmmm your crumpets look great! I always buy premade ones at trader joes but these look better. :)

Lori Lynn said...

I've never had fresh baked crumpets. Sounds like many of us haven't. I appreciate your adventuresome nature in the kitchen, Jessy.

test it comm said...

Your crumpets look nice and light and airy and good!

MissGinsu said...

Those are gorgeous. The only crumpets I've ever had came out of a package and they were pretty awful. Put me off the whole idea of crumpets. But I think you've redeemed them. Thanks so much for the post!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! crumpets are on of my absolute favourite foods. I eat them nearly every day - seriously! I've always wanted to make them but have never got around to it. They look so delicious, I'm so glad you liked them. I agree they are much better than English muffins, my boyfriend doesn't though and we bicker about it all the time!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I have a recipe for crumpets but will give this one a try. Yours rise much more and it is time for breakfast:D

Unknown said...

YUMMMMMMMMMMM let me get my huge tub of nutella and peanut butter and go over to your place *grin*

daphne said...

u r a genius! THose crumpets look fantastic!

fishman said...

Nice looking crumpets.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Gorgeous crumpets! I'm going to have to give them a try.

Anonymous said...

Lovely crumpets! I never had them before but they sure looks great for breakfast.

The Peanut Butter Boy said...

I'm the same way, I can't just sit and do nothing, I always have to be moving or eating or cooking. I've never had a crumpet but they look mighty tasty! I'll have to give em a try.

- The Peanut Butter Boy

KellytheCulinarian said...

I've never made crumpets but now I'm inspired.

Gretchen Noelle said...

What fun! Wish I had a crumpet ring!

Sunshinemom said...

I just made them for tea. Didn't find anything special about the taste. They taste more like holey breads slightly rawish not exactly raw - you know what I mean? Anyway the kids are enjoying it, and I think they look right! Will post it tomorrow or day after. Yours looks great and I think they are super for a 15yr. old. Keep up the good work:)

Sunshinemom said...

Just had to get back to clarify that the crumpets tasted too good later. We ate them after about 4hrs. They were great, not chewy or sticky just perfect. Thanks again for sharing the recipe:). I am planning a remix to the recipe with mangoes. Let me see what happens;)

Coffee and Vanilla said...

First time I hear this name... they look delicious :)

Margot