National English Muffin Day

Show some love for this rich, chewy and delicious breakfast food that has an interesting history and maintains its popular status in today’s world. Now It’s time to learn a little bit, enjoy and celebrate National English Muffin Day! 

History of National English Muffin Day

Although the English muffin was, in fact, created by a British man, they actually got their start in the United States! The story goes that an expatriate in New York by the name of Samuel Bath Thomas started making these little breads as an alternative to crumpets.

In 1880, Thomas sold them from his bakery located in Chelsea and called them “toaster crumpets”. It is important to note, however, that English muffins are different from crumpets. Crumpets are made with baking soda and have a fluffy consistency with holes on the top. English muffin recipes cut out the baking soda, often using sourdough which offers a distinctive flavor, and their holes are located in the middle instead of the top. Plus, because a griddle is used in the cooking process, English muffins tend to be a bit crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle.

In the final few years of the century, these little breads caught on and grew in popularity throughout New York and other places in the US, eventually earning the name “English muffin”. This name is a bit confusing, though, because while they were invented by an Englishman, they really and truly do come from the United States. In fact, some people believe that it took the English muffin approximately a century to make it to England when it was first imported there from the US.

The top secret recipe for those original English muffins made the Thomas brand very popular in its time, and continuing on in modern times to be the #1 top selling brand in the country. In the 1970s, the Thomas company created an advertising campaign that used the slogan “nooks & crannies” when referring to the holes in the English muffins. This memorable campaign encouraged folks to spread butter or jam into these little “nooks & crannies” while the muffin was still warm.

Today’s versions of English muffins have expanded a bit to include more than just the basic ones made from white flour. Different offerings include whole wheat, multi-grain, honey wheat and others. In addition, some varieties may include raisins with cinnamon, corn meal or even banana bread coming from several different bread companies.

And though the flavors and styles may have been modernized a bit, the classic presence of the English muffin has been reigning for more than 100 years and it’s not likely to stop now!

How to Celebrate National English Muffin Day

Have some fun and show some love for this delectable baked good that isn’t even really baked! Get to making plans for celebrating National English Muffin Day with something from this collection of ideas:

Enjoy Some English Muffins

Of course, when it comes to food days, the best way to celebrate is to eat and enjoy. And National English Muffin Day is no different! So get out there and grab some English muffins from a local grocery store or a fresh bakery who carries them.

Those who want to give a little nod to the company that started it all more than 125 years ago may want to be sure they pick up a bag of English Muffins made by the Thomas brand! But whichever brand is chosen, slice one and then pop it into the toaster, spread on some butter and jam, and then enjoy the flavors on this special day. Those who are interested in raising awareness for the day and sharing their breakfast journey might want to snap a pic and share it with friends!

Get Creative with English Muffins 

Those who feel a bit more adventurous or have a little more time to devote to celebrating National English Muffin Day might want to show some love and appreciation by making a big deal out of this food through creativity. While the English muffin does have some basic ways it is eaten, certainly this would be a great day to get a bit more interesting with recipes. Check out some of these ideas to get started:

• Peanut Butter and Banana English Muffin
• English Muffin Pizzas
• Avocado Toast on an English Muffin
• Ham and Cheese English Muffin Breakfast Casserole

Try Making English Muffins

Those who have a little streak of adventure that includes the kitchen may want to celebrate National English Muffin Day by trying to make them from scratch at home. Though they take some steps, they really aren’t that difficult and lots of recipes can be found on the internet.

The basic ingredients needed to make English muffins at home include flour, yeast, salt, milk, water and butter. The biggest difference between these and lots of other baked goods is that, instead of baking them in the oven, they are cooked on a griddle for several minutes, with the lid on the pan to allow the steam to help the muffins rise.