Fresh-Milled Sourdough English Muffins
Prep
30 min
Bake
20 min
Total time
50 min
Hydration
80%

A high-hydration (80%) sourdough English muffin dough using freshly milled hard white wheat, cold-fermented overnight, portioned into rings and cooked on a griddle.
Key Takeaways
- High hydration (80%) creates the signature nooks and crannies
- Cornmeal dusting prevents sticking and adds texture
- Cook on a 325°F griddle, covered, 6-8 min per side
- Use English muffin rings or shape free-form on parchment
- Split with a fork — never cut with a knife — to preserve texture
About this recipe
Griddle-cooked sourdough English muffins with the classic nooks and crannies, made with freshly milled wheat and an overnight cold ferment.
Ingredients
- Freshly milled hard white wheat500 g
- Milk400 g (80%)
- Active sourdough starter100 g
- Salt10 g
- Honey15 g
- Butter20 g melted
- Cornmeal for dustingas needed
Instructions
- 1
Mix all ingredients. Rest 30 min.
- 2
Perform 3 stretch-and-folds, 30 min apart.
- 3
Bulk 4 hours at 75°F.
- 4
Divide into 90 g balls, place on cornmeal-dusted parchment.
- 5
Cold proof overnight 8-12 hours.
- 6
Heat griddle to 325°F. Cook covered 6-8 min per side until deep golden and 200°F internal.
- 7
Cool fully on rack. Split with a fork to serve.
fresh flour baking guide for beginners — hydration, gluten development, and grain choice tips that make this recipe work.
Learn about this grain: Hard White Wheat guide — flavor, milling notes, baking tips, and four in-depth guides on hydration, storage, and common mistakes. Or browse more Hard White Wheat recipes.
Learn a technique
All guides →- Cold Retard & Bulk for Fresh-Milled SourdoughHow to time and temperature-manage bulk fermentation and cold retard for fresh-milled sourdough to develop flavor without overproofing.
- Build & Maintain a Fresh-Milled Sourdough StarterA step-by-step guide to creating a robust whole-grain sourdough starter from scratch and maintaining it for weekly baking.
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Store-bought hamburger buns disintegrate the moment they meet a juicy patty. Sourdough hamburger buns made with fresh milled flour solve both problems: the structure holds, and the flavor stands up to char and cheese instead of fading into the background. This is a moderately enriched dough — enough butter and egg to be tender, not so much that it loses chew. The cold retard means you can mix Friday night and bake Saturday afternoon, perfect for weekend grilling. Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame for that classic bakery look. Makes 8 large buns or 12 sliders.
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Cold Retard & Bulk for Fresh-Milled Sourdough
How to time and temperature-manage bulk fermentation and cold retard for fresh-milled sourdough to develop flavor without overproofing.
Build & Maintain a Fresh-Milled Sourdough Starter
A step-by-step guide to creating a robust whole-grain sourdough starter from scratch and maintaining it for weekly baking.