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Grease the Crumpet Rings: Lightly grease the inside of the crumpet rings with butter or oil to prevent sticking.
Fill the Rings: Once the pan is heated, place the crumpet rings in the skillet. Using a spoon or ladle, carefully pour the batter into the rings, filling them about halfway. You want the batter to rise and spread out during cooking.
Cook the Crumpets: Let the crumpets cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until you see bubbles forming on the surface and the edges begin to set. Don’t move the rings while they’re cooking to maintain the shape.
Flip or Not: Once the tops of the crumpets are set and the bubbles are visible, carefully remove the rings (use tongs or a fork). You can flip the crumpets over for an additional 1-2 minutes to cook the underside, but traditionally, crumpets are not flipped. Instead, they are served with the soft side up.
Repeat: Continue this process with the remaining batter, making sure to grease the crumpet rings and the pan between batches.
Step 4: Serve the Crumpets
Toast the Crumpets: While the crumpets are still warm, serve them with a generous spread of butter. The butter will melt into the crumpets, filling the holes with rich, creamy goodness. You can also add jam, honey, marmalade, or your favorite spread.
Optional Garnish: For a special touch, sprinkle the crumpets with a bit of cinnamon sugar or top them with fresh fruit.
Tips and Variations:
Texture: The key to a light, spongy texture is allowing the crumpet batter to rest for an hour and cooking them at a moderate temperature. If your pan is too hot, the crumpets will burn before the bubbles have a chance to form.
Crumpet Rings: Crumpet rings are essential for shaping the crumpets. If you don’t have rings, you can use egg rings or improvise with a metal cookie cutter. Alternatively, you can cook them freeform, but the shape won’t be as uniform.
Vegan Crumpets: To make vegan crumpets, simply substitute the butter for plant-based butter and use non-dairy milk (such as almond or oat milk) in place of the regular milk.
Flavor Add-ins: You can add flavorings like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even dried fruit (like raisins or currants) to the batter for a twist on the classic crumpet recipe.
Make Ahead: Crumpets are best eaten fresh, but you can make a large batch and freeze them for later. Just toast them when ready to eat, and they’ll be just as delicious!
Why Crumpets?
Crumpets are a nostalgic, comforting food that’s both soft and crunchy, with their characteristic holes that hold the butter and spreads. They are a perfect snack for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea. Their unique texture is the result of a slow cooking process that creates a delicate, airy crumb. Whether you enjoy them with butter, honey, jam, or even savory toppings like cheese and ham, crumpets are a versatile and delightful treat that will bring warmth and joy to any meal. Making them at home allows you to enjoy the freshest, fluffiest crumpets possible.
Enjoy your homemade crumpets fresh off the griddle, or toasted with your favorite topping.
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