Claire Saffitz Makes Classic English Muffins | Dessert Person

Claire Saffitz Makes Classic English Muffins | Dessert Person
Claire fact: English muffins made at home are fun to make, easy, and look just as good as store-bought but taste way better. Also true: it’s the only recipe in Dessert Person that doesn’t make a trip to the oven! Follow Claire as she walks you through the steps to getting those telltale nooks and crannies in your English muffins and how to make sure they cook all the way through in a skillet or griddle. Whether you like it sweet with jam or savory as the base of a breakfast sandwich, you’ll love the versatility of a freshly cooked English muffin.
#ClaireSaffitz​​ #DessertPerson​​ #EnglishMuffins
Special Equipment:
Instant-read thermometer, stand mixer, 3 1/2-inch round cutter (optional),
Griddle or large skillet (Preferably cast-iron)
Ingredients:
Classic English Muffins
1 1/2 cups whole milk (12.7 oz / 360g)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 oz / 28g)
2 tablespoons honey (1.5 oz / 43 g)
1 teaspoon active dry yeast (0.11 oz / 3g)
2 3/4 cups bread flour (12.7 oz / 360g)
1/4 cup whole wheat flour (1.2 oz / 35g)
2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt (0.21 oz / 6g)
Neautral oil, for the bowl and baking sheet
Cornmeal, for dusting
Video Breakdown:
0:00​​ Start
0:14 Intro to Classic English Muffins
0:28 Dessert Person Intro Animation
0:46 About English Muffins
1:47 Ingredients & Special Equipment
2:26 Scalding The Milk
5:53 Felix & Co. Updates
6:24 Mix The Dough
8:15 Dough's 1st Rise
10:30 Dough's 2nd Rise
12:15 Form & Griddle The Muffins
15:26 Flip The Muffins
17:18 A Maya Sighting
18:00 Top Your English Muffin & Taste
19:05 :)
Find Dessert Person Online: www.dessertperson.com​​
Claire Saffitz on Instagram: / ​​
Dessert Person Merchandise: www.dessertperson.com/buystuff​​
For Other Penguin Random House Books: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/​​
Dessert Person Cookbook
Photographer: Alex Lau
Food Stylist: Sue Li
Prop Stylist: Astrid Chastka
Video Series:
Producer/Director: @VincentCross
Camera Operator: Calvin Robertson
Sound Engineer/Music: Michael Guggino
Editor: Hal McFall
Animation Credits:
Character Designer/Animator: Jack Sherry
Character Rigger: Johara Dutton
Background/Prop Designer: M. Cody Wiley
Background Illustrator: Jagriti Khirwar

[@CSaffitz]

What'd you have for Breakfast today? Give these a try this weekend! Whether you like it sweet with jam or savory as the base of a breakfast sandwich, you’ll love the versatility of a freshly cooked English muffin.

[@noelleolson3639]

i live english muffins!

[@blobster91]

Leftover chicken pot pie from last night's iftar.

[@louisbailie1349]

as an englishman I can confirm that muffins are one of the best breakfast foods

[@BelleTeteRouge07]

Toasted Dave's killer bread Good Seed bread with Blue Plate mayo and nicely seasoned scrambled eggs on top.

[@musicismylove92]

Had a bagel with cream cheese, banana, and coffee! Kind of my go-to quick breakfast

[@musicismylove92]

Third positive thing: It's Thursday and we have a new video from Claire!

[@goe591]

Fourth positive thing: Claire's cats are happy and my pet family are excited for spring!

[@Psykel]

Fifth positive thing: just straight up Claire.

[@TheNinnyfee]

The farting ketchup bottle was good, too!

[@TheNinnyfee]

@@Psykel Even though she's a person. But you are right. 😊

[@Jordanbushieduh]

Periiodt

[@sierranevadavideos7151]

Claire’s makeup is popping off almost as much as her baking skills this week! Great video!

[@goe591]

I noticed too! Her eyeliner swoops are so nice. I want to improve both my baking and makeup skills. I'm glad for kind folk like Claire to help inspire me.

[@sauceberg720]

Agree! And how appropriate that she went for a bit of a CAT eye look ;)

[@AnnoulaXeni]

Ha! I wasn't the only one fixating on that! Claire, if you're reading these, note at least some of us thing that's a really flattering look on you. Slides you right up the scale toward Elizabeth Taylor IMHO 🙂

[@helenross3037]

can we talk about claire's eyeliner in this video?? she always looks gorgeous but wow!!

[@hannahcastello6838]

Seriously the first thing I thought when the vid opened! I need to learn how to do that lol

[@AllegraVivace]

Right? The winged eyeliner look suits her so well. Super pretty.

[@AllegraVivace]

@@possibilityspace what makes you think the winged eyeliner is not classy? There’s nothing wrong with make up and it looks lovely on her.

[@Julia-hj7nn]

@@possibilityspace no one cares what you prefer jason

[@elaine-gc5uv]

omg our oven is broken so i watch these videos purely for entertainment (and of course because i love claire), but here's something i can finally follow!!

[@goe591]

The stove top recipe was surprising and delightful! I am super looking forward to seeing the next things Claire brings to Dessert Person.

[@slekwati1]

I lived the oven free life for a while, just around about when this channel was created. It was torture. I'm glad you're getting to follow something now and I'm sending good oven vibes your way.

[@klaudialara711]

Lol.... same here💖❤️

[@jase_allen]

You can get a fairly decent sized countertop toaster oven for under $100. I use one for baking in the summer to avoid heating the entire house.

[@tati.l.]

*adds winged eyeliner tutorial to list of video requests along with skincare routine* Hey, you guys said you want to mix things up, right?

[@dbreardon]

Yeah, not a big fan of the anime eye look to be honest.

[@TheSwauzz]

@@dbreardon ? What? You think winged eyeliner is "anime eye"? Are you 65 years old and completely out of touch with reality?

[@noneness]

Yes!!! Been wanting her skincare routine since she pulled out a jade roller from her fridge haha

[@tati.l.]

@@noneness her skin is #goals

[@adaliaalvarez7269]

YESSSS!!!!!

[@tati.l.]

"Don't touch the muffins, they do not want to be touched at this point." Claire Saffitz 2k21, consent queen

[@AllegraVivace]

Watching this with a purring cat in my lap is the absolute height of ✨serotonin✨. Thanks for always uploading so consistently each week.

[@smileyface4069]

One positive thing about posting at 09:00 central, is that I have something awesome to listen to on my way to school. It certainly make my last semester of college nice when I have something to look forward while I have to drive to a class I usually dread. So, thanks Claire and everyone involved in the show! 😁💙

[@goe591]

I love the consistency of upload time and amount. It's awesome that you make a habit of preparing for something heavy with something you enjoy! (Also, CST love from a Kansas born kid! :D)

[@playanakobi4407]

Have a great day!

[@smileyface4069]

@@goe591 Thanks! CST love from an Arkansan! :)

[@smileyface4069]

@@playanakobi4407 Thanks! It wasn’t that stressful this round!

[@elfinshell4758]

I just love the term ‘proving the yeast’. It’s like saying to the yeast ‘okay son, now you must prove your valour before we continue on with this quest.’

[@theshard5697]

Except it's proofing. Like when something is fool-proof. Sorry to pop your bubble :c

[@orboobleck5366]

The yeast is worthy, All-father.

[@mattwieseler3545]

@@theshard5697 it can be either depending on where you are from. I typically hear proof in the USA and prove in Great Britain. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofing_(baking_technique)

[@mlynn998]

@@theshard5697 it could still be, like, “we need proof that you work”

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Will this yeast be able to rise to the challenge?

[@chesterstefan9049]

Glad to hear Felix is alright, extremely here for Cabin Claire. Great video!

[@AllegraVivace]

Cottagecore Claire is already a vibe, I love it.

[@000euMJ]

I don't think he's fine =/

[@Tony-qe3fl]

1:06 The way Claire says “Do you?” tho ♥️

[@carmenprestemon6839]

Very appreciative of Claire’s efforts to reduce single use plastic ❤️❤️❤️ and I love how she mentions it in almost every video

[@robynmacdonald8619]

A note for anyone without a stand mixer: I made the Soft & Crispy Focaccia from Episode 1 with just a bowl + wooden spoon + arm muscle and it turned out perfectly! Will definitely use the same method to make these!

[@Kevin-ql3wv]

A positive thing today: Claire's entire youtube channel!

[@tati.l.]

"How lucky are we, to be getting all that content for free?" - Mike's mic

[@tati.l.]

"I suck at flipping things." *flashes back to the Crêpes Suzette April Fools episode of It's Alive!*

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Now there are two things Claire sucks at: 1. tempering chocolate 2. flipping things

[@RandomMan1]

@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 TBH she's pretty good at tempering chocolate, she just hates doing it.

[@tati.l.]

@@RandomMan1 yeah, and a tad insecure about her abilities, maybe, but she got it right a bunch of times on GM. Even Sohla that one time said, "What more do you want?" when Claire asked her about her chocolate.

[@flutechannel]

I love Nooks and Crannies! These are my favorite muffins ever! Happy you did it Claire!

[@strangulator42]

My favorite KZbinr showing me how to make my favorite kind of muffins? That's a positive!

[@chesterstefan9049]

Also love the philosophical turn the video almost took with what constitutes a nook and a cranny.

[@genner-vincenthodgson5177]

Finished these on the griddle this morning. I made a double batch and lined the parchment paper with two types of 'cornmeal', grits and masa harina. I definitely like the masa harina better, but the English muffins came out amazing even with a couple mistakes on my end. The honey gives purely flavor, not sweetness, which astounds me in a good way and they are fluffy and moist. I've honestly never had an English muffin that wasn't dry, so that was a great experience. Can't wait to freeze these and have them for breakfast regularly! The book Dessert Person was the best Christmas gift! 😁

[@HaloInverse]

17:52 A nook is "a secluded or sheltered place or part", while a cranny is "a small break or slit" and/or "a small narrow opening". The two words have similar meanings, but there seems to be a difference in the _shape_ of the space described - both are "semi-enclosed spaces", but crannies are generally narrower and/or crevice-like. In the context of English muffins, "nooks and crannies" could probably be translated as "bubbles and crevices", or "roundish pockets and flat-ish pockets".

[@CK-ou3es]

I love the lighting in this video! So much more pleasant to the eye

[@cisum88note]

Thank you so much for the feline friends update! So glad that Felix is okay and Maya and Archie are living their best lives.

[@DrMudkipMDPhD]

The theme song gets stuck in my head for hours after a new video :D

[@malcontent510]

and still _love_ the opening animation

[@richardygi_7]

Watching Claire is my most positive thing on Thursday

[@shadodragonette]

I am not a person who bakes. I don't actually even like most baked goods, but I love Claire! I watch her because I like her, I am never going to cook like her. If she ever opens a shop that ships orders to Missouri, I would order bread and English muffins and if she had it on the menu, strawberry cheesecake. Not often, I have a tight budget, but it would be worth every penny!

[@dustintrahan3487]

These were the second recipe I made from Dessert Person! The first being lemon curd, which was great with these. I had no idea I could make english muffins that looked like what I expect english muffins to look like. Your book is amazing. Thanks Claire!

[@michellepolly7868]

I love the random things you learn from cooking videos, such as forking open your English muffins

[@savanaah6561]

Thursday's now my new favourite day of the week! 😁

[@heretic3334]

Intro song: "Do-do-do do Dessert Person~" Me: "Do-do-do-do these are her sons~"

[@melodys9188]

shoot ill never unhear this now

[@jeanannelibbert1923]

Thank you! I've been looking for an English muffin recipe. This makes me so happy!!

[@xtsdagger6956]

Thanks, this recipe looks great, love that you are back on the youtube, always good to see you and what you are into

[@louisemon]

So glad I found you again recently. Missed you since BA days. So happy you have your own channel and freedom to do your own thing. xxx

[@dslashg]

I’m waiting for the “Claire trying to fit stuff in her fridge” compilations

[@shiroosh23]

I swear Clair's videos make me immediately happier. Love her so so much. Going to make her lemon tart today! :)

[@clairalaman7394]

Claire. I am so grateful for this channel. I'm learning so much from you and all your little tips (like looking for the surface of a pancake/ english muffin to be matte - genius!). Thank you so much for doing this, I'm definitely buying your book after binge-watching these vids and baking a few of these recipes. You are simply the best and I'm honored to share a namesake with you ;)

[@sailingpirate93]

Fun Fact: there are British recipes from the 1700s with "english" muffins in them and the nursery rhyme The Muffin Man dates back 60 years before Samuel Bath Thomas opened his bakery. Maybe 1880s is the first appearance in America?

[@aliciaf1055]

Or the first time they were called English muffins because in England they are just called muffins!

[@sailingpirate93]

I believe one such book including them is The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy by Hannah Glasse.

[@elliotvernon7971]

Samuel Beth Thomas did not 'invent' the English muffin in the 1880s - he made and packaged as 'English' (to distinguish it from the American sweet muffin) the muffin that was commonly sold in England when he moved to the USA. The Oxford English Dictionary records that the term muffin (or 'moofin') to mean 'a wheat flour cake baked upon a bake-stone' was used in 1703. In addition, there is a recipe for muffins in Hannah Glasse's 1747 The Art of Cookery Made Plain and the nursery rhyme 'Do You Know The Muffin Man?' which refers to a muffin seller in London's Drury Lane was first collected in 1820. So English muffins are indeed English, its just English people call them 'muffins' not 'English muffins'. That inaccuracy aside - great video!!

[@samanthaleemurray2998]

Can’t believe the US is claiming English muffins are from the USA 😂 absolutely ridiculous! My grandma has a recipe from 1850s for muffins

[@hamletgirl]

i just finished these this morning and they turned out amazing! my fam was super impressed. thanks so much for the recipe, claire and team!

[@Miss4EverLove711]

Tried out this recipe this morning and OMG did it turn out soooooo GOOD! Love you Claire and thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!

[@OurFacesFallApart]

I've never made my own english muffins but every time i see a video of someone doing them homemade, it makes me want to!

[@goe591]

You should try it! I'd bet you'd have a lot of fun!

[@vikkiobryan6439]

I am not a baker but during COVID I made English Muffins, a different recipe but they turned out great.. try Claire's!

[@aaccrr78]

Take a shot every time Claire says “nooks and crannies” to turn up on a random Thursday 🤦🏻‍♀️🙌🏻😻

[@kelzbelz313]

This is how people end up getting their stomachs pumped

[@aaccrr78]

@@kelzbelz313 it was a joke! I’m sorry!

[@dreamergirl247]

I was going to say the same thing, if you wanna get hammered this is the way 🤣🤣 So many nooks! So many crannies!

[@NoName-rn6up]

I'm obsessed with this series! Keep it going claire.

[@charlotte07071]

This was recommended on our home screen today, I cannot believe we didn't realise sooner that you have your own youtube! So pleased as we have missed your videos so much!! Xxxxx

[@grandunification]

I'm so glad to hear that the kitties are ok! Thank you for a wonderful and accessible recipe

[@cynonowo]

i have classes on thursdays, around the time claire posts, so i have to choose between education and serotonin. i choose serotonin every. damn. time.

[@victorardon5323]

i LOVE this woman and her baking

[@ajbrooks9001]

Every new day is a positive. Claire, you teaching from your kitchen is a positive. Homemade English muffins, yes!

[@JasonAsInfinity]

Thank you so much for the Felix update! I don’t think you realize how worried all of your fans have been about him. I literally have been going back to your old videos and checking the comments to see if there was any update on how he was doing!

[@rdsj20]

Me too! SO glad to see he's okay!

[@apples4rio]

There is no cure for pancreatitis and she should be giving him subcutaneous fluids

[@khet2018]

I always thought the theme song, at the end, he sings 'cheese and croissant'. I just realized today he says 'dessert person'.

[@maybememories925]

Lollll😂

[@alisha8201]

I was already planning on making these next weekend but now I have a video tutorial to go with!!! Love this channel! Love Dessert Person!

[@hello_olivia_here]

I love this so much. I had a long day at work and I'm exhausted and now I get to come home and enjoy Claire making english muffins and I could not be happier

[@csillagergely9996]

I appreciated the kitty update in today’s video the most🐱You are still my favorite Claire,but the cats are right there too🥰😁

[@emilu8214]

I definitely struggle the most with breakfast goods, I usually like to eat around 10 am so I need items that are portable and easy to prep ahead of time. Your recipes always look so yummy, it encourages me to work on eating consistent and healthy breakfast!

[@eurekamarijka]

You could make a batch of breakfast sandwiches for the freezer! I’ve yet to find a way not to use plastic wrap for this, but if you wrap each one individually then put them all in a freezer ziploc, you can pull out one at a time and pop in the microwave in a paper towel - just like the mangy ones you get in a box at the store - but delicious! 😋 I’m in the same boat on trying to eat better stuff in the morning so I don’t get a sugar crash before lunch.

[@dangershrike]

I was thinking of making these soon! Love having a video to follow as well as the book. ❤️

[@rekenner]

Big props on trying to cut out single use plastics, it's something I've been trying to work on, too.

[@robbably7416]

Everyday this week while making breakfast I've thought to myself how nice my eggs and bacon would be on an english muffin and then i'm suddenly blessed with both this recipe and an excuse to use my grandma's stand mixer which is usually collecting dust in her cubbards lol my dough is currently going through it's first rise, can't wait to make them tomorrow!

[@dlaminidlamini7844]

*Claire points at the muffin* Claire: "There's a nook, there's a cranny, there's a nook there's a cranny... " *a minute later* Claire: "I don't know the difference between a nook and a cranny" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@allanpage]

Claire is awesome. :) I love watching her cook and trying some of the recipes.

[@danhale495]

I enjoy watching your cooking videos, Claire! Sending love from Brisbane, Australia ❤️

[@annafed2419]

I want those sheet pan covers!

[@eLiziBoo]

Would love to see a "does it work" segment - where you try your recipe with GF flour or dairy free milk. Loooove that you are on KZbin!

[@myriahmaxwell6024]

I've made the coffee cake, carrot cake, and confetti cake just subbing in Cup4Cup GF flour and they turned out AMAZINGLY well! Especially the carrot cake :)

[@ekaapana]

I made the galette des rois, corn muffins, and frangipane with Bob red mills cup for cup. It does add a certain level of difficulty

[@kthearcher3357]

Maybe that could be your yt channel :)

[@marianneconverse4824]

I love these videos because they help me decide what to make next from the book. And now I need more bread flour.

[@susanyantha4074]

Claire I made the Focaccia it was so delicious my husband just loved it ..my son bought me your desert person book I really like it .What’s nice I can see you making. It on KZbin before I make it…

[@katgiu4235]

Digging the winged eyeliner!

[@michaellaporte]

The videography, lighting and makeup is on point is this episode! Props to the production team 🤌🏼

[@aicmreadingteacher6368]

Another positive besides being Thursday & another Claire video is: over all you have helped so very many people become better cooks with your AWESOME recipes and techniques

[@shawnsloss]

Her fridge is always full. I love it!

[@ButteredSideUp]

Love how honest she is: "Well, do I love English muffins?" 😊

[@tastebuds624]

Thanks and now I want English muffins

[@isaacm.7982]

My book just came in! I can't wait to try making these. Thanks Claire!

[@CSaffitz]

Hope you enjoy the book!

[@beckibarnes917]

Lovely nooks and crannies! Great job!

[@denisemanago5436]

Vinny: Pretty good Claire: Not terrible This pov resonates

[@mondaynightballroom20]

I like how the music makes the dough seem like a rom-com heroine who's taken off her glasses and realized she's beautiful

[@PaolitaMagallon]

Love English muffins! Thank you for doing the video, the book is great but the videos are amazing in terms of looking for all the tricks 💕👍🏻

[@LilyCarol225]

English muffins are one of my absolute favorite foods. I don’t pull out my stand mixer very often, but I absolutely will for these

[@afergie76]

I like how her face always looks shocked when the fridge closes.

[@malcontent510]

Claire is just happy that the inside of her fridge doesn't sound like a Three Stooges episode

[@bekind3931]

English muffins are one of those things that I never once thought about how it was made. I was fascinated, and they do look exactly like the Thomas muffin brand (except even though they were warm, I had this real urge for her to toast them).

[@rebeccamcroberts336]

Made these today! Outstanding!

[@seanmonts2159]

Shared this with my Culinary Arts students. We will be preparing together on line. I remember making them when i was in High School. Lots of fun.

[@guyfromphotostock]

the shot in the end when you sit outside in the cold morning and drink somethimg comforting generated more serotonin than my whole life did

[@tati.l.]

Sheet tray covers are a thing?? *immediately goes on amazon*

[@jennmartia9309]

Today's Breakfast Person episode was fantastic!

[@jillionairess]

I taught myself to make sourdough English muffins during the pandemic. They really make a breakfast sandwich something special.

[@mallorylectka2940]

I needed the cat update, thank you

[@human_les]

I was having a mental breakdown but I remembered it was Claire's thursday ... and here I am

[@goe591]

Good luck! Keep holding on. I hope your days get brighter, stranger.

[@malcontent510]

Hang in there Leslie -- there's always next Thursday's video to look forward to

[@laulaubug]

I made these a few weeks ago for my father. They were so delicious and easy to make. I will absolutely be making these again

[@dajeauyale1634]

Made these last night. OMG.... it worked almost perfectly! I've learned what I need to adjust for my kitchen, but even with the quirks, these are phenomenal!

[@baby_muppy]

you look so beautiful here!!! your recipes never fail to produce perfect results. your book is the best gift ive ever received!!!

[@tyfoodie8782]

Maybe a crumpet video next, please. Excited to see you on your own channel ❤️

[@Johannablaise]

Crumpets! Yes!!!

[@scottemily00]

Love that sheet tray cover! Didn’t even know those existed. A wet dough! I’m totally trying this recipe- hopeful for a yummy English muffin! Thanks, Claire

[@ecenbt]

Making this tonight to be ready for a nice weekend breakfast tomorrow 🥳🥳 so excited already

[@entprince3241]

nice! ABSOLUTELY buying one of those sheet tray covers

[@kumoduo]

the irony that last week's video was a muffin recipe Claire deemed to be an actual muffin and then this week's recipe is an English muffin that isn't a muffin is quite funny

[@peachtiime]

this looks super doable, i might actually do this I LOVE english muffins!!

[@atreau1887]

Everything looks much brighter :) New lights? Looks great!! Love the videos!!!

[@VictorKinzer]

I am really glad to hear that Felix is doing well. I was worried when you were talking about him staying at the vet for so long.

[@AllegraVivace]

Claire's game of fridge tetris continues!

[@meatdotpopsikle]

Love you. Love your work. Thanks bunches!

[@dave6512]

I know this was three Thursday's ago but today is Thursday and I needed this LMAOO school is so stressful