Super Duper Bran Muffins

Thursday 24 January 2013

 Super Duper Bran Muffins 






 If you are on a quest for the perfect bran muffin, I think you may have just stumbled upon it.  Your search ends here!  These moist bran muffins are delicious! Honed after years of searching for the perfect and best bran muffin!



As I mentioned the other day, I used to own my own canteen.   It was pretty much a mom and pop type of operation, serving mainly hot drinks, cold drinks, simple lunch dishes such as burgers and sandwiches, cakes, donuts, potato chips, candy bars . . .  and delicious muffins.




Super Duper Bran Muffins






I used to get in the muffin mix from a supplier.  It was ready-made, frozen and came in huge buckets.  You just scooped out and baked them as you needed them.  



Probably much the same as what they do in grocery stores and the like which serve up fresh baked muffins.   They were really, really good.   



I wish I had a dollar/pound for every muffin which I baked through those years!  I'd be a mighty rich woman!




Super Duper Bran Muffins






I used to buy a huge bucket of banana, one of carrot/morning glory and two of bran every week, and they always went like hot cakes.  The Bran ones were my favorites.



 I have been on the hunt ever since for a muffin that could come up to the standard both in moistness and flavor that that ready-made mix was!  



It is rare that something ready-made will actually taste better than the ones you make at home . . . but it does happen sometimes!




Super Duper Bran Muffins






I think today I have gotten pretty close . . . in fact, very close indeed!   These turned out fabulous. 

  

They are moist and generous . . . stogged full of lots of nuts and plump sultanas . . . and best of all . . .




 Super Duper Bran Muffins






They are incredibly low in fat, which may in fact mean that they are even better than the others.   If I can deliver a muffin which is not only low fat, but also moist and flavorful, well then . . . I think I'm on to a real winner, don't you??  



Of course . . . any low fat properties might be somewhat diminished by spreading the warm muffins with butter . . . but meh . . . in for a penny in for a pound!




Super Duper Bran Muffins



WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SUPER DUPER BRAN MUFFINS

Simple every day baking ingredients. 


1 1/2 cups of all bran cereal
125ml (1/2 cup) boiling water
65 ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil
1 large free range egg, beaten
143g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
250ml butter milk (1 cup)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
125g plain flour (1 1/4 cup)
1 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 heaped dessertspoons of apple sauce (about 1/2 cup)
60ml of molasses (1/4 cup)
60g chopped toasted walnuts (1/2 cup)
60g chopped toasted pecans (1/2 cup)
75g sultana raisins (1/2 cup)




 Super Duper Bran Muffins





HOW TO MAKE SUPER DUPER BRAN MUFFINS.


Preheat the oven to 200*C.400*F/gas mark 6.   Butter 12 large muffin cups or line with papers.


In a large mixing bowl pour the bowling water over the bran.  Stir in the oil and then set aside for a few minutes.   Stir in the egg, sugar, vanilla and buttermilk until smooth.  


Whisk together the molasses and applesauce.  Stir this in as well.  Sift together the cinnamon, flour soda and salt.  Mix this into the batter along with the nuts and sultanas just to combine.  



Fill the muffin tins/liners and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven.  Let stand in the tins for about 5 minutes before tipping out.  Serve warm with or without butter for spreading. 



Super Duper Bran Muffins 






Yield: 12 large muffins
Author: Marie Rayner
Super Duper Bran Muffins

Super Duper Bran Muffins

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min
Another experiment in my quest for the best bran muffin ever. This is getting really close to it!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups of all bran cereal
  • 125ml (1/2 cup) boiling water
  • 65 ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil
  • 1 large free range egg, beaten
  • 143g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
  • 250ml butter milk (1 cup)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 125g plain flour (1 1/4 cup)
  • 1 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 heaped dessertspoons of apple sauce (about 1/2 cup)
  • 60ml of molasses (1/4 cup)
  • 60g chopped toasted walnuts (1/2 cup)
  • 60g chopped toasted pecans (1/2 cup)
  • 75g sultana raisins (1/2 cup)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200*C.400*F/gas mark 6. Butter 12 large muffin cups or line with papers.
  2. In a large mixing bowl pour the bowling water over the bran. Stir in the oil and then set aside for a few minutes.
  3. Stir in the egg, sugar, vanilla and buttermilk until smooth. Whisk together the molasses and applesauce. Stir this in as well.
  4. Sift together the cinnamon, flour soda and salt. Mix this into the batter along with the nuts and sultanas just to combine.
  5. Fill the muffin tins/liners and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let stand in the tins for about 5 minutes before tipping out.
  6. Serve warm with or without butter for spreading.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #TheEnglishKitchen



This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at mariealicejoan at aol dot com. 

Thanks so much for visiting! Do come again!

52 comments

  1. Please save one (or two!) for me. They look delicious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too love using.Bob's Red Mill all natural wheat bran flakes! No junk in them. Just sayin'

      Delete
  2. These look wonderful! There are so many bran cereals, how do I know which is best for these muffins? Flakes?

    ReplyDelete
  3. They are very delicious Carol!
    I.m.b. I use the Kellog's All Bran Cereal, which is like strands of bran.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I worked for a catering company and made plenty of muffins from the frozen "muffin goop," but never found them to be as good as homemade. These bran muffins you've created no doubt surpass those of your memory in every way since they are not made from thawed frozen batter and contain no preservatives! Great Job- these look positively devine!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm copying this down for sure, Bran muffins are a favorite ere and I have tried and tried to get what you speak of, moist and dense, thansk for doing all the research, lol, you know a few years back I did this with butter tarts and brownies and oatmeal cookies, I tried all different recipes to find of favorite, I think I gained five pounds that winter!!!Have a super day Maire

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh they do looks so verry yummy,TY for sharing.oooxxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. these look wonderful - so great they are stuffed with all bran! I think I'm going to make these for the girls breakfast :)
    Mary x

    ReplyDelete
  8. These sound amazingly delicious! I've been in the mood for bran muffins...so I might just have to try these!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love these muffins dear Mary and love your blue molds:)xoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Muffins!! My favoritest foods!! Those look SCRUMMY!! :) I'm amazed you had a good mix, I've never had a mix that matched a homemade muffin! And I never knew you had a canteen! You are truly full of surprises. I can't wait till I come visit and we can sit and eat muffins and chat for HOURS!! I've got to try these, ASAP! Especially if I can claim they're healthy!!
    Lots of love, April

    ReplyDelete
  11. By using a boxed cereal, they are no longer free of preservatives. I use raw bran (Bob's Red Mill here in the US).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure I understand your point Meri. I don't claim these to be anything other than tasty.

      Delete
  12. I made these this morning for a staff breakfast. I added in some cranberries and nuts on top and other half with raisins. There were a hit, turned out nice and moist and lots of flavour. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so pleased they were enjoyed! Your variations sound delicious! Xo

      Delete
  13. these were delicious!!!! but stuck to my paper liners which I didn't spray ( I usually don't).
    had to use br. sugar ,no caster sugar. tks.

    ReplyDelete
  14. These muffins are delicious!! Thank you for the recipe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I am pleased they were enjoyed! xo

      Delete
  15. What the heck is CASTER SUGAR ?
    NEVER HEARD OF IT. WHERE TO GET IT???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmm... no need to shout, lol. It is a finely granulated sugar. In the UK granulated sugar is far too coarse to use in baking properly, so we use caster sugar, which is much finer. North American granulated sugar will do fine as it is not as coarse as the granulated sugar in the UK.

      Delete
  16. Try adding a little orange zest...good recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Can I substitute wheat bran instead of bran cereal? Also do you think I could add in oatmeal instead of the nuts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never having done so I cannot advise with any certainty. I would think you could sub wheat bran, but am not sure how much. I do not think oats would work well in the place of nuts as the oats would absorb some of the liquid and you would get a drier muffin. Nuts do not absorb and provide crunch. If you don't like nuts I would just leave them out altogether. Hope this helps.

      Delete
    2. Yes you can use bran. I grind my own whet and spelt flour for breadmaking and usually include the bran in the bread.. This time I sieved the grinds, and with the leftover bran decided to have a go at making the muffins. I had to use the ingredients I had to hand as I didn’t have molasses I used black treacle instead, no buttermilk so used yoghurt. I don’t like raisins or sultanas so used chopped dates and used brown sugar instead of white. They are light as a feather, moist and delicious and versatile, would like to try adding some ginger or blueberries.
      Thank you for a fantastic recipe.


      They are delicious

      Delete
    3. I am so pleased they were enjoyed! Thank you so much also for your inpute! xo

      Delete
  18. Inhave made these muffins many times they are the very best we all love them .Thank you for sharing this recipe .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback! I am very pleased that they are enjoyed! xo

      Delete
  19. Do you use sweetened or unsweetened applesauce? Can’t wait to try these! I have an old recipe from the ‘70s that makes a big batch and you store it in the fridge until needed. They are delicious, but use 2 kinds of bran cereal, and one of them is no longer available. I haven’t tried experimenting, yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I use unsweetened applesauce. I hope this helps and that you enjoy the muffins!

      Delete
  20. Those are so good my new favorite thx for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so pleased you enjoyed them! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! xo

      Delete
  21. Excellent receipt so moist an tasty my neighbors love it when I bake these. I toast the nuts very well before adding to batter an use my own home maid apple sauce just delish!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very good muffin nice an moist i toast my rough chopped nuts before I put them in. I also use my own home made applesauce. My neighbors ask for these thanks for this lovely receipt.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love bran muffins! Period!!! And yours are absolutely the best ones I have ever baked. I make them every other week and have one a day. My treat with tea or coffee in the afternoon. Thank you so much for giving me the muffin I remember from my childhood. I made them in the tins I have had for years, too. Married in 1968. So, I get 18 muffins per batch. Live in the USA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! I agree, best muffins ever! I am so pleased you enjoyed them! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on your experience! xo

      Delete
  24. I've tried many bran muffin recipes and used a favorite one of mine for years, but this is off the charts delicious! The molasses and the applesauce make such a moist and tender texture. These are the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This makes me very Happy! I am so pleased you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to comment on your experience!

      Delete
  25. There’s too much molasses in them. Just too much sugar going back to the traditional way of making bran muffins. I’m certainly not a fan of these.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sorry that you feel that way. I guess you can't please everyone! xo

      Delete
  26. These are soooooo delicious, thank you for sharing, one issue I am having is that mine don’t rise, tried twice thinking what am I doing wrong! Checked all ingredients, mine just don’t want to rise, help!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Have you checked your soda to see if it is still fizzy? Since this is the only leavening in the recipe it could be your problem? ~Marie ps- happy you are enjoying them nonetheless !

    ReplyDelete
  28. Can’t get all bran in my store. Bought General Mills Fiber One. Can I substitute?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never having done so I cannot say yes with any certainty. But having looked at the box and the ingredients, I want to say yes. It looks very similar to All Bran. Let me know how you get on. xo

      Delete
  29. These are absolutely delicious! I used a mixture of regular sugar and brown sugar and love the depth of flavor. Thank you for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Where did you get your adorable blue muffin molds?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bought them at Hobby Craft in the U.K. -Marie xo

      Delete
  31. I have been looking for a good, moist bran muffin recipe for years. So happy to have come across this one. Absolutely delicious and wonderfully moist right to the last one. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so pleased that you are enjoying these muffins Wendie! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! xo

      Delete
  32. These are my favorite muffins! I just made a batch and added chopped apples. Amazing

    ReplyDelete
  33. Can’t wait to make these. Do you use a standard size cupcake pan that makes 12 to a pan or the larger size muffin pan that 6 to a pan. Tks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually used paper cups this time which hold slightly more than a standard cupcake pan. I would use two of the larger size muffin pans that have 6 to a pan.

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you so do not be shy!


BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT OR RATING, ASK YOURSELF:
Did you make the recipe as directed? Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.

Is this comment helpful to other readers? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Remember that this website is run by a real person.

Are you here to complain about ads? Please keep in mind that I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising helps to defray my cost of doing so, and allows me to continue to post regular fresh content.

Thanks so much for your understanding! I appreciate you!