It's officially chilly here in New York. For a while I was able to galavant around the city without a coat, but now I'm needing a couple layers under my down jacket to be comfortable. I love it though! After living in Florida for 4 years I didn't get to experience the changing seasons much, except for when I traveled to different states over the holidays. Even then, I didn't enjoy the weather too much because it was such a drastic change from Florida weather. At least now that I've been in New York since the summer I've been able to slowly adapt to the changing weather.
Yesterday I was able to do work from home. It was glorious. All morning and afternoon I shuffled around in Brett's baggy sweatpants, breathed in the cent of a cinnamon candle, and drank tea. It already feels like Christmas! Yet apparently most of may friends don't feel the same way.
A group of my friends and I were talking last night and I said that Brett and I wanted to have everyone over to watch a movie and drink hot chocolate after church on Sunday. As soon as I suggested watching a Christmas movie everyone cried out, "No! It's too early!" "We'll run out of Christmas movies to watch before it's even Christmas!" "It's not even Halloween yet!"
Shot down! Only me and one of my friends were on board for a Christmas movie. Not even Brett supported my suggestion. I guess I may be getting into the holiday spirit a little too soon, but I'm just so happy to be living in fall weather where I get to drink hot drinks, wear scarves and mittens, and actually get a sense that the holidays are approaching. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas never seemed very special when living in Florida.
Another thing that is getting me in the Christmas spirit is all the baking I've been doing. When the dough for these Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin English Muffins was rising, our house filled up with the smell of cinnamon. And when they came off of the griddle all toasted on the outside and doughy in the middle, I got all warm and fuzzy on the inside...okay maybe not, but I did split one open right away and topped it with some mixed nut butter and raw honey. Delicious! These freeze really easily too. Just split them in half before sealing them in freezer bags.
📖 Recipe
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin English Muffins {Vegan!}
Ingredients
YEAST MIXTURE
- ¼ cup warm water 105 °F degrees is best
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant dry yeast
DRY INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
WET INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup honey or agave
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
ADD-INS and EXTRAS
- 1-5 teaspoons water
- ½ cup raisins
- cornmeal
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the yeast with the warm water and let the yeast activate for 10 minutes, or until frothy.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook, mix together the dry ingredients.
- In a small sauce pan, warm the wet ingredients on low heat just until the coconut oil is fully melted and the liquid sweetener is mixed through. Let sit until cool enough to touch.
- Mix the yeast mixture in with the wet ingredients and then pour all of the wet ingredients into the stand mixer with the dry ingredients. Turn on your mixer and let it run until a dough starts to form. You'll probably need to occasionally stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too dry (which it probably will be) add in 1 teaspoon of water at a time until all of the flour has been incorporated into the dough. I used 3 teaspoons.
- Once your dough is ready, add in the ½ cup of raisins and mix some more until the raisins are incorporated into the dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it by hand for a couple of minutes. The dough should bounce back slightly when you press it with your finger.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise for 90 minutes.*
- Once the dough has risen, turn it onto a surface that has been liberally dusted with cornmeal and pat or roll the dough until it is ½ inch thick. Use a 3 inch cookie cutter or glass to cut out 7-9 english muffins. Place the cut out english muffins onto a cookie sheet and cover with a towel. Allow the muffins to rest for another 30 minutes. You can combine any scrapes to make more muffins, but try to handle the dough as little as possible.
- Once the muffins are done resting, rub extra cornmeal onto the tops of the muffin. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and lightly spray it with cooking spray. Carefully transfer the muffins, cornmeal side down, onto the hot griddle and allow them to cook for about 8 minutes. Rub cornmeal onto the side facing up before flipping them over and letting them cook another 8-10 minutes until they sound hollow when you tap them. Check them occasionally to make sure they don't burn!
- Remove the muffins from the pan and allow them to cool slightly before serving warm. Or you can let them cool completely, store them in an airtight container, and toast before eating.
Bridgette says
Love the recipe! My oven doesnt work, so I've been looking for some good stovetop bakes. I rolled mine too thin, but they still tasted great. Will try again soon!
Faith VanderMolen says
So glad to hear you enjoyed these english muffins! I really want to make a batch now as it's been a while. I hope the next batch turns out even better for you!
Carrie says
I know this is an older recipe but I just stumbled upon it. I’ve made it twice now. The first time I think that I manhandled the dough too much and they were a tad flat. My second batch came out perfect! I’m never buying English muffins again. These are so delicious and easy to make!
Faith says
So so glad you tried it again and that it worked out for you Carrie! Thanks so much for sharing!
Rachel says
Can these be cooked in the oven too?
Have you tried that?
Faith says
Good question! I know that's not how traditional english muffins are made so the texture may be different. But I'm sure they'd cook through. If you don't care as much about getting authentic english muffins I'd say give it a go. Let me know what you end up doing and if it works!
Annie says
Nothing like making your own! You've inspired me to make a batch - it's been too long :-)!
Faith says
I know right?! Go for it Annie!
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club says
Oh my word this is dangerous - GOOD but dangerous. I can only imagine how good that smells in the house! #meatlessmonday
Faith says
Haha! I agree! Every time my husband toasts one it makes our house smell soo good...and my stomach growl:)
Suzanne says
These look SOOO delicious....and I too love the scent and flavor of cinnamon...yumm! I must say though - I am a Christmas fanatic...but NO Christmas before Thanksgiving (aside from shopping of course.)...it makes the month of December so amazing when you have waited and can listen to carols, decorate and bake the month away 🙂
Enjoy!
Faith says
Thanks Suzanne! And you're so right...I've been trying to hold off on the Christmas movies so that December is that much more special. Stay strong!! 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
oh those look fabulous! Thanks for linking up with us today. Hope you will check out some of the hostess recipes as well.
Faith says
Thanks Deborah! I will...heading to your blog right now actually:)
Tina Muir says
Faith, this sounds wonderful! I make my own bread, and have been thinking about making English muffins, now I have a recipe! Cant wait to try them out! You are always great on bringing us delicious meatless monday meals (could you add our back link/button please? ). Thanks so much for joining, I am LOVING your recipes!
Faith says
Thanks Tina! Let me know what you think if you make them:) And oh man, so sorry about the button!! I keep forgetting. Done and done!
dayna says
down jacket and honey??
aren't you vegan?
Faith says
Hey Dayna! I'm so glad you commented! I've been meaning to clarify some things on the blog and you finally got me around to doing it! You can check out my "Disclosure" page and hopefully that will answer any questions you have. Thanks so much!
dayna says
ok 🙂 it totally makes more sense now...funny thing is that i struggle with that too. i so badly want to wear my ugg boots and carry my leather coach purse (all purchased before i went vegan) but i feel that would be hypocritical. thanks for your honesty!
Faith says
So glad I could help clarify!