Randy Chandler
The Egg and Cheese Muffin, or Egg McMuffin, is one of McDonald's most popular breakfast items. It was first introduced in 1971 by franchise owner Herb Peterson, who wanted to attract more morning customers to his restaurant. The sandwich consists of a freshly cracked free-range egg, a toasted English muffin, and a slice of American cheese. The key to its success is the unique preparation method, which includes cooking the egg in a round egg ring to ensure a consistent size and shape, and the addition of butter, which melts the cheese and adds flavour to the sandwich.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | English Muffin |
| Bread Type | White or Wheat |
| Bread Preparation | Toasted |
| Bread Extras | Butter |
| Egg Type | Freshly Cracked, Free-Range |
| Egg Shape | Round |
| Egg Preparation | Fried |
| Cheese Type | American, Cheddar |
| Cheese Preparation | Melted |
| Meat | Canadian Bacon |
| Meat Preparation | Grilled |
| Extras | Hash Browns |
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What You'll Learn
Using a ring to cook the egg
To make the egg in a McDonald's Egg and Cheese Muffin, you will need an egg ring, a non-stick skillet or pan, and some vegetable shortening or oil.
Firstly, grease the inside of the egg ring with the vegetable shortening or oil. Then, place the egg ring on the skillet or pan and heat it up over medium heat. Once the skillet and ring are hot, crack the egg into the egg ring. Pierce the yolk with a fork or the tip of a knife and add a sprinkle of salt.
To achieve the signature McDonald's light and puffy texture, you can add steam by pouring a small amount of water into the pan around the outside of the egg ring and covering the pan with a lid. Allow the egg to cook for around three minutes until it is set. Finally, remove the pan from the heat and gently lift the egg ring to reveal your cooked, perfectly round egg.
The egg ring ensures that the egg stays in a round shape and doesn't run, giving the egg a consistent size and shape. The addition of steam helps the egg to set quickly and gives it a light and fluffy texture.
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Toasting the muffin
Firstly, choose a suitable toasting method. While a toaster, broiler, or direct flame can be used, a non-stick or cast-iron skillet is recommended for optimal browning. Lightly butter the surface of the skillet and place it over medium heat. Buttering the skillet ensures the muffin doesn't stick and adds a rich flavour.
Next, prepare the English muffin. A light coating of butter on the muffin surface is key—this can be done by spreading or spraying softened butter. Place the muffin in the skillet, buttered-side down, and gently press down on its centre as it toasts. This prevents the muffin from cupping upwards and ensures even browning. Rotate and swirl the muffin for consistent results.
The ideal level of toast is a light golden brown. Overtoasting can make the muffin hard and dry, while untoasted or lightly toasted muffins may be too soft and lack flavour. Aim for a balance between a crispy exterior and a soft interior.
Once toasted, it's time to assemble the sandwich. Place a slice of cheese on the toasted muffin, followed by the cooked egg and Canadian bacon. Return the open-faced sandwich to the skillet to melt the cheese, creating a gooey texture and binding the ingredients together.
Finally, top the sandwich with the other half of the English muffin. The cheese will act as a "`sauce," bringing all the flavours together. Serve the Egg and Cheese McMuffin warm, and consider wrapping it in foil to retain heat and allow the flavours to meld.
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Choosing the right cheese
When it comes to choosing the right cheese for your McDonald's-style egg and cheese muffin, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to select a cheese that melts well. Firmer and drier cheeses don't melt as easily, so it's best to opt for something with a higher fat content that will create a nice, creamy sauce for your sandwich.
American cheese is the variety used by McDonald's, and it is known for its melting properties. The fast-food chain even has its own special recipe for American cheese, which is designed to melt immediately when it comes into contact with the hot English muffin. This creates a sauce that coats all the other ingredients and enhances the flavour of the sandwich.
If you're making your own egg and cheese muffin, you could also consider using cheddar cheese, which melts well and has a slightly sharper flavour than American cheese. It's important to slice the cheese thinly so that it melts evenly and creates a cohesive layer in your sandwich.
The quantity of cheese is also important. You want enough cheese to cover the surface of the muffin and create a good base for the other ingredients. Too much cheese, however, can be overwhelming and may cause the sandwich to fall apart.
Finally, consider the quality of the cheese. While McDonald's uses its own processed cheese, you might prefer to opt for a higher-quality cheese if you're making this sandwich at home. Look for a good melting cheese, such as a young Monterey Jack or a mild Colby, which will give you a similar melt to American cheese but with a slightly more complex flavour.
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Cooking the Canadian bacon
Canadian bacon is essentially cured pork loin that has been sliced. McDonald's uses perfectly round bacon, which is likely more akin to chopped-and-formed ham. For a more authentic experience, choose sliced bacon from a whole pork loin, which will have a ring of fat around the outside that crisps up as you fry it.
To cook the Canadian bacon, start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Place the Canadian bacon slices in the skillet and cook until they are heated through and slightly browned. Transfer the bacon slices to a paper towel-lined plate once they are done.
You can also cook the Canadian bacon in butter to add texture and flavor to your Egg McMuffin. Simply add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet before cooking the bacon.
If you want to get creative, you can even try substituting the Canadian bacon with other proteins like regular bacon, sausage, or skip the meat altogether to make a vegetarian option.
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Assembling the sandwich
To assemble the sandwich, place a slice of cheese on the bottom half of a toasted English muffin. McDonald's uses American cheese, which melts immediately when it comes into contact with the hot muffin, creating a "sauce" for the sandwich. Next, place a cooked egg on top of the cheese. You can use a round cookie cutter or a Mason jar lid to create McDonald's signature round egg shape. Place the Canadian bacon on top of the egg.
Return the sandwich to the pan for a minute over low heat to melt the cheese. You can also wrap the sandwich after stacking, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese. Top each sandwich with the other half of the English muffin. Serve the sandwich warm with hash browns if desired.
For an extra kick of flavour, you can add sliced avocado, fresh baby spinach, or a dollop of hot sauce or salsa.
To store, allow the sandwiches to cool completely, then wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap, wax paper, or aluminium foil. Store the sandwiches in an airtight container or resealable bag and freeze for up to two months.
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Frequently asked questions
The ingredients are: a freshly cracked free-range egg, a toasted English muffin, a slice of American cheese, and a slice of Canadian bacon.
First, place a slice of cheese on the bottom half of a toasted English muffin. Next, place a cooked egg on the cheese slice, followed by a slice of Canadian bacon. Put the sandwich back in the pan for a minute over low heat to melt the cheese. Top the sandwich with the other half of the English muffin and serve warm.
The egg is cooked in a round egg ring on a hot pan to ensure it is the perfect size and shape for the English muffin. The egg ring also prevents the uncooked egg from running. The secret to achieving a light and fluffy texture is to add steam by pouring a bit of water around the egg ring and covering the pan with a lid.
The cheese used is McDonald's own recipe of American cheese, which melts immediately when placed on a hot English muffin, creating a "sauce" for the sandwich.
