Bran Muffins

Every now and then I feel bad posting recipes that aren't the healthiest for you--only every now and then, but still--so I figured I would post one of the healthier recipes I found: a breakfast classic, the bran muffin. Full of fiber and homemade goodness, these bran muffins make a perfectly healthy breakfast option--and they are tasty, too!

You will need:

• 1 1/2 cups wheat bran
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/3 cup applesauce
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• (You can also add raisins if you like--I may try mini chocolate chips one of these days!)
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• First, mix together your wheat bran and buttermilk, and let it stand for 10 minutes. While you're waiting, preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and grease a muffin pan (this recipe will make 12 muffins).
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• Next, mix your applesauce, egg, sugar and vanilla together, and add to the buttermilk mixture. In a separate bowl, sift together your dry ingredients (your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt). Fold flour mixture into buttermilk mixture until just blended--remember not to over-mix! Fold in raisins or chocolate chips if you are using them, and use an ice cream scoop to pour the batter evenly into the prepared muffin pan.
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• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
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• Finally, enjoy your moist, apple-y bran muffins--and the feeling that you are eating something good for you!