Easy English Muffin Toasting Bread Recipe

Okay, I know what you're thinking: "A homemade bread recipe? Who has time for that?!"

But as a busy mom juggling a wiggly toddler, my overflowing inbox, and running a flower farm, I'm begging you to bookmark this page and give this recipe just ONE try. This no-knead English Muffin Toasting Bread is so easy and so worth it (even if you're as busy as we are!).

Why This Bread Recipe Deserves Your Precious Time

Chris and I make this bread every two weeks like clockwork. It requires:

• No kneading (your hands stay clean!)

• No bread-making experience whatsoever (I promise)

• No special equipment (unless a meat thermometer counts as special equipment?)

  
  

Occasionally, we forget to make our double batch of bread and resort to grabbing a store-bought loaf in a pinch instead. It's always a bummer until we finally make this recipe again. The difference in taste is just that dramatic.

A Toast Above the Rest

This bread was born to be toasted. It develops this perfect golden crust while staying tender inside, and it holds up beautifully to:

• Avocado and eggs for breakfast (or delicious peanut butter!)

• Garlic bread with dinner

• Grilled Cheese to go with Grandma's Chicken Noodle Soup

  
  

The best part? We always bake two loaves at once and freeze the second. When the first disappears (which happens alarmingly fast), we've got a backup loaf ready to go. Here's the recipe:

We make two loaves every time we make this recipe (one to eat and one to freeze!)

English Muffin Toasting Bread Recipe

Double this recipe if you want to make two loaves

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (we like to do 1 cup whole wheat and 2 cups all-purpose)

• 1 tablespoon sugar (white or brown)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal (plus extra for dusting in the pans)

• 1 tablespoon instant yeast

• 1 cup milk (we prefer whole milk, but you can use any milk you have)

• 1/3 cup water

• 2 tablespoons butter (you can also use olive oil)

  
  

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, cornmeal, and instant yeast in a large mixing bowl.

   
   

2. Combine the milk, water, and butter (or oil) in a microwave-safe bowl (we like to use our large glass Pyrex measuring cup) and heat to between 120°F and 130°F (use your meat thermometer to test the temp).

   Pro tip: This step usually takes about 1.5 minutes in the microwave. If you overheat it by a bit, that's okay. Just let it cool off on the counter for a few minutes until it's in the right temperature range.

   
   

3. Once your liquids are at the right temp, pour them over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix until thoroughly combined (about 2 minutes or so). You should have a VERY wet, sticky dough.

   
   

4. Grease your bread pan with butter or Crisco.

   Pro tip: We sprinkle cornmeal around the pan to give the outside crust a little extra something, but this isn't necessary - we just like cornmeal in this house!

   
   

5. Pour your dough into the pan and set aside to rise. It should take about 30-60 minutes for the bread to rise until it's just crowned over the edge (like 1/4" or so).

   Pro tip: If you're making this bread in the winter, know that it may take longer for the dough to rise.

   
   

6. Preheat the oven to 400°F while the dough is rising (you want the oven to be ready to go).

   
   

7. Once your dough crowns above the pan, bake for 22-27 minutes until the internal temp is above 180°F.

   
   

8. Enjoy your delicious, homemade, preservative-free, perfect-for-toasting English muffin bread!!!

   
   

The Joy of Homemade Bread

This recipe will quickly become your favorite. The smell filling your house as it bakes, the pride of having made something from scratch, and the superior toast for your morning rush – these things add up.

On mornings when the kids are melting down by 7 AM, work emails are already piling up, or you just need an extra moment of peace, toasting a slice of this bread feels like a small act of self-care.

Why You Should Try This Recipe Today

If you’ve been hesitant to try making bread at home, this recipe is your perfect starting point. It’s forgiving, simple, and rewarding. Plus, the taste is far superior to anything you can buy at the store.

So, gather your ingredients, and let’s get baking! You won’t regret it.

Happy baking, flower friends. ✨

This recipe is based on King Arthur Flour's English Muffin Toasting Bread - King Arthur is our favorite place to find new bread and pastry recipes!