Crumpets w/ Strawberry Balsamic Jam

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Soft, pillowy whole wheat crumpets slathered with strawberry balsamic jam… an absolutely perfect way to start your day!

Homemade Crumpets with Strawberry Balsamic Jam | @HealthyDelish Strawberry Balsamic Quick Jam | @HealthyDelish

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Have you ever had a crumpet? If not, you’re really missing out!

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Crumpets are kind of like English muffins – bready, craggy, and best when lightly toasted – but they’re softer, spongier (in a good way!), and have a more delicate flavor. Smothered with a pat of butter and some homemade jam, they’re just about perfect.

I always throw a package in my cart when I see them at the grocery store, but this weekend I decided to make my own. All I can say is wow. Eating a homemade crumpet after only ever tasting the packaged ones… well, it’s kind of like comparing a homemade cookie to a store-bought one.  They’re both tasty, but they’re worlds apart. These crumpets are kind of insanely good. Luckily, they’re also pretty easy to make! (Seriously, if you can make pancakes you can make these.)

Homemade Crumpets with Strawberry Balsamic Jam | @HealthyDelish

Let’s back up though, because I know you’re all wondering why the heck I would ever even think to make something like crumpets. Like most crazy ideas, it all started on facebook: my friend Carrie (Bakeaholic Mama) thought that we should do something to celebrate the return of Downton Abbey. So, in honor of tonight’s premiere, we decided to post some English recipes and we’ll be tweeting tonight using the hashtag #DowntonBlogParty. Come join the fun! (We also have a little giveaway; you can find out more at the end of this post.)

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So…crumpets? It’s January 5. Honestly, it was the only English recipe I felt like making/eating that isn’t a total diet-buster. (Not that I’m on a diet, but I didn’t think it would be appropriate for my second post of the year to include lard.)

Since homemade crumpets seemed to require something a little fussier than the half used jar of jelly that’s been in the back of my fridge for months, I decided to make a quick strawberry balsamic jam to go along with them. Strawberries might not be in season right now, but cooking them down really brings out their flavor. A splash of balsamic vinegar adds depth and makes the jam absolutely irresistible.

Homemade Crumpets with Strawberry Balsamic Jam | @HealthyDelish

Crumpets with Strawberry Balsamic Jam

Crumpets with Strawberry Balsamic Jam

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
For the neatest looking crumpets, you'll want to spoon the batter into prepared molds. They sell special rings for this, but I doubt I know a single person with something like that. Instead, you can use large round cookie cutters (about 3-inches across) or form a few rings out of tinfoil folded over on itself a few times for structure. Either way, you'll want to grease the inside of your rings well to prevent the crumpets from sticking. If you don't care about how they look, you can also forego the rings and carefully spoon the batter into rounds; they'll still taste delicious, but they'll have more of a domed shape instead of the traditional high sides. These are best served immediately, but they'll keep for several days at room temperature. Reheat in a pan, toaster (on low), or even in the microwave before serving.

Ingredients

For the Crumpets:

  • 1 cup [b]skim milk[/b]
  • 2 tablespoons [b]water[/b]
  • 1 packet (0.25 ounces) [b]dry active yeast[/b]
  • 1 teaspoon [b]sugar[/b]
  • 8 ounces [b]Gold Medal® white whole wheat flour[/b] (about 2 cups sifted)
  • 1 teaspoon [b]kosher salt[/b]

For the Strawberry Balsamic Jam:

  • 1 cup chopped [b]strawberries[/b]
  • 1/2 cup [b]sugar[/b]
  • 1 tablespoon [b]balsamic vinegar[/b]

Instructions

To make the Crumpets:

  2. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and water over low heat until warm to the touch. Remove from heat and stir in the yeast and sugar. Let sit 10-15 minutes (you should see some small bubbles start to form and the mixture might look frothy.)
  3. Sift together the flour and salt. Slowly stir into the wet ingredients; mix until a smooth, pasty batter forms (it should be about the consistence of brownie batter.) Cover and let sit in a warm place for 1 hour.
  4. Spray the inside of your rings (see note) with oil or cooking spray. Grease a nonstick griddle or similar wide-bottomed pan and set over medium/low heat. Place your rings in the skillet; spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into each ring. Cook for 5 minutes – the top of the crumpets should look dry and be flecked with bubbles. Remove rings; flip crumpets and cook 1 minute on the other side.
  5. Serve warm, preferably with butter and jam.

To make the Strawberry Balsamic Jam:

  2. Combine the strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a shallow, wide-bottomed pan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the jam is thick, syrupy, and very fragrant – about 10 minutes. Let cool.
  3. Yields about 3/4 cup jam.

Notes

Adapted from Delia Smith's Complete Illustrated Cookery

Nutrition Information

Amount Per Serving Calories 128 Total Fat 0.4g Fiber 3.4g Protein 4g
© Lauren Keating
Crumpets w/ Strawberry Balsamic Jam 1

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Be sure to check out what everyone else brought to the party!

Love Downton as much as we do? Use the widget below to enter to a win a copy of The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook and a “Keep Calm and Downton On” mug.

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Comments

  1. Robbie Franzen says

    05/06 at 2:51 pm

    I went crazy and bought egg rings on Amazon- I have heard you can use a tuna can as well- you know, cut both ends off. This didn’t work for me as my darling husband couldn’t quite grasp that I was SAVING the cans and they kept disappearing. I do like my egg rings as they have a little handle to grasp with tongs and easily lift off the pan when it’s time. I am currently proofing another batch as they are quite popular at my house!

    Reply

  2. Madelyn says

    01/27 at 7:30 am

    Hi, can you cook these the night before and store them in the fridge or cupboard for the morning? Thankyou

    Reply

    • Lauren Keating says

      01/27 at 10:28 pm

      yes, definitely! They do taste best warm, but you can just pop the min the microwave for a few seconds or toast them like you would an English muffin (no need to cut in half though)

      Reply

  4. Kindra S. says

    04/05 at 10:40 am

    I have heard that some people use mason jar lid rings for the rings to form the crumpets. I would think those would be easier to find at the store than English muffin rings.

    Reply

    • Lauren Keating says

      04/05 at 10:46 am

      I actually didn’t like how Mason rings worked (the “lip” gave me problems – put it on the bottom and the batter wasn’t all on the pan; put it on the top and it hindered the way they rose). I had good luck just making a round guide out of aluminum foil though!

      Reply

  5. Jen @ Savory Simple says

    01/11 at 5:49 pm

    No one tops Dame Maggie Smith. And I want these crumpets!

    Reply

  6. Samantha says

    01/09 at 1:01 pm

    I’m so mad at myself for dropping the ball on my Downton Abbey watching. The strawberry balsamic jam looks so amazing!

    Reply

    • Lauren Keating says

      01/06 at 6:09 pm

      Yup! And honestly… I totally forgo they were when I was eating them. The white wheat is so mild. I hope you love them as much as I do!

      Reply

  16. Joanne says

    01/05 at 7:21 pm

    Soooooo I’m totally watching Downton tonight and now wish I had thought to make something all Brit-like to accompany it! I’ve only ever had Trader Joe’s crumpets and they’re kind of blech but I could see homemade being way better. Especially with balsamic-infused jam. Swoon.

    Reply

    • Lauren Keating says

      01/06 at 6:08 pm

      The jam is definitely necessary. The TJs crumpets are ok, but I find them to be kind of bland.

      Reply

  17. Cathy says

    01/05 at 2:50 pm

    Lady Mary – though I know tonight’s episode will be a hard one to watch after the death of her husband and dealing with the baby. LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!

    Reply

  18. Reemsy says

    01/05 at 1:56 pm

    These look delicious! I love crumpets, but I never made them. I am going to make these soon!

    Reply

    • Lauren Keating says

      01/06 at 6:07 pm

      You definitely need to try them – they’re so much better than the packaged versions!

      Reply

  22. Nancy M. says

    01/05 at 12:57 pm

    These look delightful! The dowager would approve! Love that they are fat free too!

    Reply

    • Lauren Keating says

      01/06 at 6:06 pm

      I didn’t even notice that about them (of course I also put butter on mine… yum!)

      Reply

    • Lauren Keating says

      01/06 at 6:05 pm

      she’s my favorite, too… I think. It’s so hard to pick just one! 😉

      Reply

  27. carrie@bakeaholicmama says

    01/05 at 10:55 am

    Your crumpets are perfect. And the jam sounds delightful. Thanks so much for participating

    Reply

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