Raisin English Muffins

Directions

Dissolve yeast in water in a large mixing bowl; let stand 5 minutes.

Combine milk, sugar, salt, and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until butter melts. Cool to lukewarm (105 to 115 degrees).

Stir milk mixture, raisins, and 3 cups flour into yeast mixture; beat until smooth. Add 2½ to 3 cups flour to form a stiff dough.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead 2 minutes or until dough can be shaped into a ball (dough will be slightly sticky). Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85 degrees) free of drafts, about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.

Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn each half out onto a smooth surface heavily sprinkled with cornmeal. Pat one half of dough into a circle, ½ inch thick, using palms of hands; cut dough into rounds with a 2¾ inch cutter. (Cut carefully, as any leftover dough should not be reused.)

Sprinkle 2 baking sheets with cornmeal. Transfer cut dough rounds to baking sheets, placing 2 inches apart with cornmeal side down (one side of dough should remain free of cornmeal). Repeat process with remaining half of dough. Cover and let rixe in a warm place (85F), free of drafts, for 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Using a wide spatula, transfer rounds to a preheated 360 degree, lighlty greased electric skillet. Place cornmeal side down; cook for 6 minutes. Turn and cook 6 additional minutes. Cool on wire racks.

To serve, split muffins and toast until lighlty browned. Store muffins in an airtight container.