English Crumpets

English Crumpets are griddle cakes made from a flour and yeast batter.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons warm water
• 1 package yeast
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Combine water, yeast and sugar. Let stand until bubbly, about 5 minutes.
2. Heat milk, 1 tablespoon of the butter and salt in a saucepan over low heat just until warm. Add to yeast mixture.
3. Add 1 cup flour to yeast mixture and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer.
4. Beat in egg.
5. Add remaining flour and beat until smooth.
6. Cover batter with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
7. Stir down batter and let rest for 5 minutes.
8. Meanwhile, melt remaining butter in a saucepan over low heat. Skim off foam and discard milky solids from bottom of saucepan.
9. Brush bottom of a skillet with melted butter.
10. Brush insides of four crumpet rings or 3-inch round cookie cutters with butter and place rings in skillet.
11. Heat skillet over medium heat.
12. Spoon about 2 tablespoons batter into each ring. Cook until batter begins to bubble on top and is lightly browned on bottom, about 2 minutes.
13. Remove rings.
14. Turn English Crumpets over. Cook until lightly browned on bottom and done in centers.
15. Can be served warm or split and toasted before serving.