6-Week-Refrigerator Bran Muffins

Six-Week-Refrigerator Bran Muffins

2 cups boiling water
2 cups Bran Buds cereal (Kelloggs)
5 cups flour
5 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup shortening (I used butter)
3 cups sugar
4 eggs
4 cups All-Bran cereal (Kelloggs)
1 quart buttermilk

Mix water and Bran Buds. Let stand for 10 minutes, then stir and try to mash up any hard lumps as completely as you can.

Combine flour, soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a really large bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time beating after each addition. Add buttermilk, All-Bran, the water/Bran Buds mixture. Add the flour mixture and stir only until moistened.

Batter will keep in the refrigerator (in Tupperware-type container, glass jars, etc) for up to six weeks.

When ready to bake, fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 20 minutes at 350.

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My notes:
I baked a batch of these immediately after I made the batter. They were good, but the mixture gets better with time! The subsequent batches were better.

I didn't count how many muffins this made, but I'm guessing between 4-5 dozen. I typically only baked 6 muffins at a time because a couple of picky eaters in my household turned their noses up at them. No worries...more for the rest of us!

You can add raisins if you'd like. I'm not a big fan of raisins so I didn't add them to mine.

Click the links above if you're unsure about the Bran Buds or the All Bran and you'll see the picture of what you need to buy.

The longer the batter sat, the thicker it became. It's okay. Your muffins will still be moist and yummy.

This batter makes a LOT--probably 16+ cups. Make sure you use a big bowl to mix it and make sure you have plenty of containers to put it in!

I think the cost for both boxes of cereal was around $7. I got TWO batches of muffins from both boxes. In fact, I probably still have enough of the second one for another batch.

Flaxseed Muffins

Flaxseed Muffins

canola cooking spray
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup white flour
3/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup sugar
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 Tbsp canola oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup fat-free buttermilk
optional: 1/2 cup golden raisins, chocolate chips, blueberries, walnuts, coconut)

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line with paper cups. In large bowl, blend the first 9 ingredients together and set aside. In separate bowl, mix together eggs, oil, applesauce, buttermilk Add to dry ingredients, mixing until combined. Stir in any optional ingredients. Scoop batter into muffin cups. Bake 30-35 minutes or until done. Makes 12 muffins.

I've made these without the oil and you couldn't even tell it was missing!

Carrot-Apple Muffins

These muffins are so delicious, and so good for you! This recipe makes 2-3 dozen, so I usually put the extra in gallon freezer bags and freeze until I need them. Pull them out of the freezer the night before you want to serve them for breakfast. They're great in lunchboxes too! Enjoy.

Carrot-Apple Muffins

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unprocessed bran
2 cups grated carrots (about 6 large carrots)
2 cups shredded apples (about 3 apples)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup raw nuts, coarsely chopped (I use walnuts)
1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
3 large eggs
1 cup Safflower oil
3/4 cup honey
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice concentrate

Sift flour, soda, cinnamon, salt and bran. Stir in carrots, apples, raisins, nuts, coconut, and seeds. In another bowl, beat eggs and honey, oil, vanilla, and apple juice. Stir nuts into the flour mixture until just combined. Spoon into well-greased muffin pans, filling to top. Bake in pre-heated oven at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Makes 2-3 dozen.

**I use my food processor to grate the carrots and apples. It goes much faster that way. And if apples are on sale, I like to buy enough to shred for another batch. The shredded apples freeze well until you're ready to make more. Shredded carrots freeze well too.