4 May 2008

Crumpets from My Childhood...or Pikelets Revisited

Pikelets
We all have favourite recipes and come across similar recipes in the blogosphere, in cookbooks, in magazines that we would like to try. Jessy (and her dog Winnie), the talented 15 year old of Baking Blondie ,had a recipe for one of my favourite breakfast foods on her site. Since it was breakfast time I decided I needed to try them now!! In following Jessy's blog I have gathered that she really enjoys the homeyness and satisfaction of baking breads. She has offered us many different recipes from Rose Levy Berenbaum's cookbook "The Bread Bible". This recipe for pikelets is excellent. It has a double rise so takes roughly an hour and a half to be presented at your table...but definitely worth it. To learn more about this special treat visit my previous post Pikelet or Crumpet for a quicker version. I think I like this version from Rose Levy Berenbaum best!!!!

Crumpets, or pikelets as we called them all my growing years, were a breakfast staple in my British home. I love mine simply spread with butter. A crumpet has all kinds of nooks and crannies. When toasted and buttered, the melted butter oozes into these holes, producing a crispy, buttery honeycomb with a crunchy exterior. "Rise" to the occasion, make them the night before or freeze them for a later date. Thank you Jessy for bringing this recipe to our attention!!

**Crumpets or Pikelets**
from The Bread Bible
by Rose Levy Berenbaum

1 cup plus 1 1/2 tbs unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons dry milk
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 plus 2 tbs water divided
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon butter

Mix the batter. In a large mixer bowl beat together the flour, dry milk, yeast, sugar, and salt.

Add the 3/4 cup of water and, gradually beat on med. for about 5 min. until completely smooth.
Let the batter rise. Scrape the dough into into a container with a one quart rising capacity. With a piece of tape mark on the side where doubled the height would be. Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.

Add the baking soda and water and let dough rise again. In a small bowl mix together the baking soda and remaining 2 tbs of water.Stir into the batter and allow to rise again until almost doubled, about 30 min. The batter will be filled with bubbles.

Preheat the griddle or frying pan. If using an electric griddle, preheat to 275 degrees. If using a skillet,heat over low until a drop of water sizzles when added.

Fry the crumpets. Brush the pan, and the insides of the crumpet rings lightly with melted butter. Set the rings in the pan and use a ladle to spoon, or pour the batter into the rings, filling 2/3 full. The batter will rise to the top during cooking. Cook the crumpets for 10 min on one side, or until they are nicely browned underneath and have lost their dull shine on top. Turn the crumpets and continue to cook until the bottoms are browned.

Cool the crumpets. Remove the crumpets and move to a wire rack. Cool completely. They can be stored over night in a paper bag, or frozen well wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw before toasting.


You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison. Best Blogger Tips

45 comments:

  1. ooh yum crumpets- there's just no comparison I'm certain to making homemade ones; thanks to you and blondie for the reminder

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  2. When I visited England I never had a chance to eat crumpets. Next time I'll have to try them. Looks good this morning.

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  3. What a wonderful recipe! And I love crumpets.

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  4. Mon mari would be a truly happy man if I got up and made these for breakfast.... He dearly loves them.
    Good thing they look easy - I'll give him the recipe....
    I'm with Snoopy - allergic to mornings!

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  5. There's nothing like homemade crumpets, I love them. I might just have to make some tomorrow!

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  6. Oh Val, I love crumpets...why I never thought of making them before I don't know but thanks for this recipe!

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  7. Ooo, I had no idea that crumpets and pikelets were the same thing. I've got to try them one of these days! Yours look so great!

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  8. HAHA, I knew you'd be all over Jessy's crumpets...glad you tried them out too! The gal (Jessy) rocks in the kitchen.

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  9. Yes please! Crumpets along with cheese sound just fine to me.

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  10. I have the Cake Bible, but no the Bread Bible.After seeing these crumpets I need to get it. These look like heaven.

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  11. Hi Val, we would call these crumpets here in Australia. Pikelets are little pancakes that you eat for afternoon tea with jam and whipped cream. I will have to blog about them one day. Anyhoo, your crumpets look fantastic. Homemade is always sooo much better.

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  12. AnonymousMay 04, 2008

    Oooh!...these look like a real treat. I now have a recipe for home made crumpets. Thanks Val!

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  13. Crumpets seem like they would be difficult to make with all their nooks and crannies and how they split down the center. You make them sound quite easy! I love bread in any form and have actually never had a crumpet but am quite certain I would love them.

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  14. Oh yum! I love crumpets with jam! We used to have them as a treat when I was in Uni in Australia. Brings back great memories!!!

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  15. Thanks for all your comments guys. I really appreciate it. Mom & Dad who are from northern England always called these pikelets. In doing research for my previos post and recipe on crumpets/pikelets they said a pikelet was flat more free form but I guess it is like with all terms, the meaning may change over the years in different areas. Whatever we want to call them they are delicious!!

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  16. When Jessie made them I thought - pretty cool and now I'm seeing them again so I'm going to cave and give this recipe a try.

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  17. I have wanted to try these since seeing them on her blog! Yours look great!

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  18. Crumpets and jam. Gah, is there any better way to spend a Sunday morning?

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  19. Ooh you know I am such a crumpet fan- fun that Blondie tried them not knowing them and fun that you have fond memories - me I just like them hot and dripping- those holes hold the secret to life- butter!

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  20. These look really tasty! I usually find myself eating a so-so bagel on weekends (w/jam)...I think I'd like to give these a try instead! I'll have to make some this weekend

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  21. Thanks for the shout out! Your crumpets look great! : D

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  22. What a wonderful say to start the day, with crumpets. I'd spread mine with jam. I've never made these, so I'll have to give them a try.

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  23. "Pikelets"? How fun. That's new to me, but "crumpets" aren't. I too loved them as a child. Just toasted on a griddle and topped with butter that oozed into all those crispy little holes. Why don't I eat them anymore? I think I'm adding them to next week's grocery list, Val. You have inspired me!

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  24. Homemade! These look fantastic!

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  25. These pikelets look jolly good! Perfect for a spot of tea.

    I'm really hungry right now. An hour and a half isn't that bad.

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  26. My husband grew up eating crumpets just like those. I've never made them, but I hope some day he'll get inspired and make them for me!

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  27. ...and she's only fifteen. Wow! I am impressed. I bet she will become a great chef one day.
    Sis, I shall skip reading the ingredients as I am on diet. The day before I started (Sunday) I had only 2 ripe bananas home and I was craving for your banana bread. I wanted badly to make it but I didn't have any butter. I knew it was my last chance to make it, so I used shortening instead and of course it was a total disaster (sigh)!

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  28. I have never had a crumpet. Do they taste like an English muffin, as they sort of look like one. These would be great with lots of butter and a fresh fruit salad!
    Valli, your photos are really lookin' good girl!

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  29. AnonymousMay 06, 2008

    I have never had a true crumpet, but after seeing your photo I am soooo tempted. They look and sound fantastic!

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  30. Ohhhh!! Gorgeous!! I'm already transported to breakfast heaven, just looking at your beautiful photo!

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  31. Yet another delicious recipe and congrats on the award.

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  32. I have always wanted to say "would someone please pass the crumpets?" lol, but we have never had them! They look delish!

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  33. oh oh oh.... mmmmmmmmmmmm....
    Even though I have just finished breakfast I am instantly craving some hot buttery crumpets!

    I used to eat these all the time, though they are more of a treat now. Never with jam, butter is king.
    If you want to try something different, have a go at this: toast the crumpet, then sprinkle some cheese on the top, chuck it back under the grill until it's all melted and the cheese is oozing through those little holes. Eat as is, or throw on some smoked ham... yum yum yum!

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  34. It has been a while since I have had a crumpet. I really like the way that butter and jam melt into them. Making your own sounds like fun.

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  35. AnonymousMay 07, 2008

    Noooooooooo! You made these and didn't invite me over for tea?! Well, now you've done it. I'll just have to make some this weekend!

    Yours look PERFECT!

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  36. I love crumpets! However, I never imagined making them myself! Nice job Valli, they are gorgeous!

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  37. Oh I do love crumpets when you butter them thickly and it dribbles down your chin as you eat - yum

    Great post val your homemade ones look so much better too :)

    Rosie x

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  38. Cool! I love crumpets. I'll have to give these a try. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

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  39. Val, what a romantic picture :D

    I'm not familiar with any of these, the closest "thing" that comes to my mind is a sweet crepe but I never try those either... there's a whole world of baking out there for me to discover yet!!!

    Happy breakfast, darling!

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  40. They look reallydelicious Vall!!!!Gloria

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  41. It has been eons since I've had crumpets! They look delicious, Val. (Bookmarked) -Elizabeth

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  42. AnonymousJune 02, 2008

    I cannot ever, ever get enough crumpets. I love them so much that I made and froze 50 of them to take camping with us (to be toasted over the open fire on sticks.) The thing is, we're 7- just us, and with the extended family who was camping with us we numbered around 20. I was darned if I was going to go without crumpets if someone else wanted one!

    Funny enough, not one single crumpet went to waste...

    Thanks for the new recipe!

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  43. You're right it is the nooks and crannies that I love about crumpets. Thanks for recommending this recipe to me. I'll have to give it a try!

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  44. Mmm. Crumpets. I remember just loving the NAME as a child... crumpets, crumpets, crumpets. It's been quite a while since I had one -- but your post (and Peter's, which I also just read) is making me long for them.

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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