How To Make And Enjoy The Perfect Crumpets For Your Tea

Tea and crumpets could be one of the best food and drink pairings in the world. The crumpet goes amazing as a snack or as an integral part of your next tea party. So how do you prepare and make the perfect crumpet? It's a lot easier than you might expect.

Creating The Ideal Crumpet Experience

Before you start your crumpet journey, bring your water to a boil for the perfect cup of tea. (You can pick any of your favorites, but black tea is the traditional choice.) While your water is heating, grab your toaster. Why? Untoasted crumpets are squishy like a sponge.

Carefully put your crumpet into the toaster and use the highest setting — the high heat will help to create the perfectly warmed crumpet.

Back to your tea, pour hot water over your tea and steep while your crumpet is toasting.

When the toaster dings, your crumpet is STILL not yet ready. Put it through second toasting and be aware that you'll want to pull your crumpet out before the edges burn. You’re looking for a golden bottom and a tanned upper crust, not a burn. Remove the crumpet when it looks tanned.

After inspecting for perfection, allow it to sit for one minute. If toasted perfectly, you should have crunchy outsides and a contrasting squishiness on the inside.  

The Crowning Glory: Crumpet Toppers

Honey, butter, and jam are three essential toppings. Your add-ons should melt enough to fill the crumpet holes with flavor in each bite.  

Pure, softened butter is an amazing crumpet topper. If you let your butter rest at room temperature for a few hours before using it, you can just slice off a bit and put it on your warm crumpet.  

If your butter is straight out of the refrigerator, soften it using a hot water bath. Cut off a few chunks of butter and place it in a bowl; then, carefully place the bowl inside a shallow container of hot water to soften the butter quickly. (Make sure only the butter dish — and not the actual butter — touches the hot water.)

Jam is a delicious treat and provides a good contrast of cold and sweet with a hot crumpet. Honey is also a great idea: when combined with salty butter, you get a sweet and savory crumpet.  

You can also add cheese, eggs, vegemite, or even creamy peanut butter as a tasty crumpet topper.

Make Your Own Crumpets

Want to make your own crumpets? In that case, we're here to help! Here's a foolproof way to make the perfect crumpet. Enjoy!

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Tea Crumpets from Art of Tea

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups of milk that has been warmed to 110F
  • 1 package of yeast
  • 2 teaspoon of sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 Tablespoons of gluten flour or vital wheat gluten
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup water

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, stir together milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
  2. Set aside and allow to rise for about 10 minutes.
  3. In another bowl, combine flour, gluten flour or vital wheat gluten, sea salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
  4. Mix the two bowls together for approximately four minutes. You want the mix to be like a thick pancake mix.
  5. Move to a warm place, cover with a towel for one hour.
  6. After an hour, mix together baking soda and water
  7. Remove the towel on your rested mix and add this new creation, mixing well.
  8. Cover and allow to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
  9. Heat a buttered pan (cast iron is best) and butter 4” metal crumpet molds. Allow the molds and pan to heat on low while your mix is rising.
  10. After 30 minutes, scoop out some of the batter gently and add inside the ring. You should fill it ¼ of the way so that when the crumpet cooks, it rises to ¾” thickness.
  11. Bubbles will form and the batter will dry out. That’s when your crumpet is ready.
  12. Take the crumpet, ring and all, and brown the top over a flame (or use the toaster method we outlined). Flipping a crumpet causes it to flatten out. Instead, be sure to remove the crumpet by gently loosening it from the ring with a knife.