This year for Christmas, I got a fantastic cookbook for any Harry Potter-phile who knows their way around the kitchen - The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook.  It’s got plenty of great recipes for the treats found on the Hogwarts Express, dishes prepared in the kitchen by house elves, and all kinds of other tasty bites popular ‘across the pond.’  Coincidentally, on my list of 30 things to make while I’m 30, I happened to include the popular British tea-time snack the crumpet which expectedly is included in this book filled with British recipes. 

When I told my husband I was going to be making crumpets, he said…”what’s a crumpet?”   Crumpets are, in fact, a very tender and delicate cake similar to an English muffin in shape, but decidedly different in flavor and texture.  They are light and tender, as well as both sweet and savory.  My first crumpets were bought from a grocery store, wrapped in plastic and with a shelf life that probably rivals Twinkies.  I had always enjoyed them even if they were mass-manufactured, but I figured they couldn’t be that hard to make and sure enough, that’s true.  The most challenging part is that they require a circular mold to ensure they have the perfect circle shape – certainly you can go purchase a set of English Muffin rings like I did, but if you have a 3 or 4 inch round cookie cutter, or even a (well washed) tuna can with both ends cut off, these would work just fine.   Enjoy your crumpets toasted with butter and jam alongside a hot cup of tea – like Harry did, with the Minister of Magic.

Crumpets – from ‘The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook’ by Dinah Bucholz

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter

Whisk together dry ingredients.  Slowly mix in milk and butter until the mixture is smooth.  Let sit in a warm place for about 90 minutes, or until the mixture becomes bubbly and increased in size.  Grease English Muffin rings, and a griddle.  Preheat over low heat.  Scoop 1/3 of a cup of crumpet batter into each ring.  Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the top appears bubbly.  At this point remove the rings (They will be hot, so be careful!  Use tongs or an oven mitt.)  Flip the crumpets, and cook for another 4-5 minutes.  Cool completely on a baking rack, and store in an airtight container.

Tags: 30 While 30 - Lisa, Breakfast, Tea

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