English Muffin Toast with Blueberry Fig Jam will put a smile on your face!
At one point or another I may have alluded to toast being a staple in my life.
There was a short spell of time, when my sisters and I were much younger, that cinnamon toast was the only thing that would make us happy. Okay – maybe I was the only one feeling that happy – and maybe cinnamon toast wasn’t the only thing – let’s not forget my steak-um and fried onion frenzy. But I do recall the girls being there, at the kitchen counter, popping down bread…
I don’t know…things can get a little fuzzy after 40ish years, give or take a few…but perhaps we began that early Saturday morning with a full loaf of soft white sliced bread, a stick of butter and a cereal bowl full of homemade cinnamon sugar, and finished our meal in late morning, with an empty bag that made a light percussion sound as we shook the bits of crumbs still remaining.
Those were some good times and great memories…and today, it’s all about making a new toast memory.
This one feels a little more grown up, as this toast does not come from a bag, but from our oven, and its topping, not processed, but real.
I’ve longed to make this bread for decades. This recipe hails from my Hearty Soups & Fresh Breads class that I took so many years ago.
I guess I have felt that as long as Thomas’ continued to do the job it was doing, there was no great rush for me to hop on the English muffin bread band-wagon. Until today. There’s been a shift. And I am responding.
Dom brought home a large bag of dried figs for the holidays. Beautiful figs, nice to munch on with a little cheese and a cracker, however, there are only so many figs one can eat this way, which meant – it was time to get creative.
What better way to use up figs than to make jam? And how awesome would that jam be if it included blueberries? And lemon juice, a little cinnamon and vanilla?
Nice, right? Cozy, with a nice bit of crunch from the cornmeal to the fig seeds.
And can I take a moment to discuss how much I love making yeast bread. I don’t know what I like more…the yeasty aroma as it’s rising or the punching when it comes time to deflate…who needs kickboxing when we have dough to pound? Man, the good times and awesome workouts we can have in our kitchens!
See what toast does to me?
I love it! I hope you do, too!
Buon Appetito!
PrintEnglish Muffin Toast with Blueberry Fig Jam
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh or thawed frozen blueberries
- 2 cups fresh figs
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 pkg. active dry yeast
- 2 eggs
- cornmeal
Instructions
- Place the blueberries and figs in a food processor and puree until smooth.
- Transfer the puree to a medium sized pot and add the honey, lemon juice, vanilla and cinnamon.
- Place over low heat and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- In the meantime, prepare the English muffin bread.
- In a small saucepan, heat water and oil until very warm (120-130 degrees).
- In a large bowl, blend warm liquid, 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt, yeast and eggs at low speed until moistened.
- Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
- By hand, stir enough remaining flour to make a stiff batter.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until light and doubled in size, about 45 – 60 minutes.
- Grease and sprinkle with cornmeal two 9×5″ loaf pans.
- Pat down dough and beat vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Place dough into prepared pans.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 30 – 45 minutes.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped.
- Remove bread and cool.
- Toast bread and top with softened butter and blueberry fig jam.
{Jam adapted from The Paleo Kitchen.}
Ciao!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
That bread looks magnificent!!! There is nothing better than fresh made bread with butter and jam! Delicious
Annie says
Thanks, Lindsey…we can’t resist it!
Nagi@RecipeTin Eats says
As soon as I saw this, I thought “no way, she didn’t MAKE English muffins did she??”. Lo and behold, of COURSE you did. Because you are Annie, not me! WOW a million times over. I never thought to make English muffins!! Now I have to try it!!
Annie says
I hope you get the chance to try it! So simple and yummy! We love our bread and jam, don’t we?!! Thanks, Nagi!
Mir says
This looks beyond delicious. I want to grab this along with a hunk of cheese and a glass of wine and call it the best meal ever!
Annie says
mmm-hmmmm! I like the way you think!!! Thanks, Mir!! 🙂
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
this looks like SUCH a delicious breakfast 😉 yummm! I love that you made the jam also!
Annie says
This breakfast made me very happy! 🙂 Thanks, Michele!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I love this – english muffin toast! I have to have toast in the morning so am adding this to my weekend baking projects. I always think jam is going to be complicated but I see it’s not – so will be trying this as soon as I can get some figs. Lovely photos, Annie!
Annie says
Hi Geraldine…This is a nice combination of flavors. I know some jams can be a little more involved however I found one that is very simple! Buon Appetito!
Christina Heggins says
I remember as a child I would be totally content with eating cinnamon toast slathered in way too much butter all day. I mean ALL day! This Blueberry Fig Jam looks perfect!
Annie says
Absolutely all day slathered in too much butter! I love it!! Thanks, Christina!!
Tammy Renea says
Yes, this is a wonderful post, and the recipe is one that I will definitely pin AND make. 🙂
Annie says
Thank you so much, Tammy! Enjoy! 🙂
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
One of my goals this year is to improve my baking skills – I’m not so good dealing with anything with yeast in it! This bread is very inspiring – makes me want to roll up my sleeves and give it a go! p.s. I LOVE toast!
Annie says
Give it a go!! I promise you’ll be glad you did! Thanks for stopping by, April!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
Perfect toast and even more perfect jam. Blueberry and fig? KILLER combination! Pinned 🙂
Annie says
Mm-hmmm! Thanks, Sarah!! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
I love this! So buttery and delicious… this is how breakfast should be 🙂
Annie says
I agree! Thank you, Medha!! 🙂
Joanne says
Now this is TOAST! I love that not only the bread but also the jam is homemade! Definitely a great way to start the day.
Annie says
It was a great way to start the day….and end the day! Ha! 🙂
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
English muffin bread is one of those breads that I haven’t tried yet, but have been meaning to. Yours looks perfect Annie! I love making yeast breads too, definitely trying this one! Also – love the new look of your blog! 🙂
Annie says
This is a nice breakfast bread, for sure! Enjoy! And thanks for your props – I really appreciate it! 🙂
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
what a gorgeous color! yum!
Annie says
Thank you…I love that color, too!!
Kathleen | HapaNom says
Wow! This looks seriously tasty! I love freshly made bread and the way it make your whole house smell! The color of your toast is absolutely perfect! (Personally, I can’t make a piece of toast without burning the hell out of the first few pieces!) And the blueberry-fig jam! Sounds absolutely divine!
Annie says
This is so funny, Kathleen…I love that you noticed the color of the toast! I unintentionally cut the slices a little too thick for the toaster so I put the bread under the broiler to toast and it came out perfect, the first time – which I don’t usually do, either! Hahah! It was a very yummy breakfast! Thank you!!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I love how much you and your sisters adored cinnamon toast and this English muffin version with the blueberry fig jam sounds like it will become a new favorite for sure. It looks absolutely amazing! Love the new site design too! It’s so pretty!
Annie says
Hahah! We had some fun foodie moments growing up! Thank you so much, my friend!
mira says
Awesome breakfast idea Annie! Can’t wait to try both! Pinned!
Annie says
It’s so homey….I think you’ll like the combination! Thanks, Mira!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I usually never keep figs around long enough to make jam with them. Half of the time they are gone before I even bring them into the house because they are so good. I definitely need to save a few and make this fresh jam. It looks amazing!
Annie says
It might be a challenge to save a few but I really think you’ll like it! 🙂 Thanks, Ashley!!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
This looks fantastic Annie, love the jam, This is my favorite kind of breakfast 😀 Pinning and I love the new design of the blog!
Annie says
Thank you sooo much, Manali! I agree, there’s nothing like good toast with homemade jam!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This english muffin toast looks fantastic, Annie! I’ve always wanted to make this, so I’m definitely trying your recipe out. I love the blueberry fig jam, too! Sounds delicious!
Annie says
It’s a very nice combo… Thanks, Gayle!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
This is such a lovely, post, Annie. I read it on my phone while eating my lunch, and your writing, photos and design transported me to a cozy place filled with the aroma of fresh bread topped with jam I can just taste. Thank you for providing that kind of experience! I’m off to make bagels for my daughter and will have to try the English muffin toast in the future. 🙂
Annie says
Thank you, Andrea! I’m so happy you enjoyed the post! Have a lovely lunch with your daughter… 🙂