Moist Bran Muffins
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These super moist Bran Muffins are a great way to start off the day. Hearty and filled with healthy things like bran, nuts and raisins. This Bran Muffins recipe is a copycat of the famous Mimi’s Cafe’s bran muffins, the popular US-based restaurant chain that serves French and American food with a cult following across the country!
Moist Bran Muffins
The secret to keeping this bran muffins recipe SUPER moist is in the use of buttermilk and apple butter.
These are great for breakfast with coffee and some fruit. Eat plain, with a dab of butter or drizzle some honey on top and you are set! If you’re thinking of going the honey route, drizzle it on after you pull them from the oven and let it melt in… so good!
What is Bran?
Bran is the hard outer layer of whole cereal grains such as oats, wheat, rice, and corn and contains protein, iron, fiber, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and other nutrients. Many people associate it with a “healthy” muffin or “good” choice of breakfast cereal with fiber.
I buy the packaged All-Bran cereal to use in this recipe. Super easy and it’s great just on it’s own with milk and maybe some fruit for a light, healthy breakfast.
Can I Make and Freeze these?
This batch should make a dozen large muffins. These can easily be frozen for another time. Just store in an airtight bag or container and freeze.
These Super Moist Bran Muffins are just what you need. Like my Pumpkin Butter All Bran Muffins, these are satisfying and fill you up. If you like bran, try my Date Honey Bran Waffles. Just top with fruit of choice and you are good to go.
I hope you like these as much as I do and bake up a batch today. Enjoy!
This recipe first appeared here on September 2013 and now has revised photos.
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Super Moist Bran Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup all-bran cereal (separated)
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup apple butter (See Note 1)
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- In a large mixing bowl pour boiling water over 1/2 cup bran cereal, mix in oil and set aside. In another bowl mix egg, sugar and buttermilk.
- To the wet bran mixture add sifted flour, baking soda, salt and remaining dry cup of bran. Add the wet buttermilk mixture to bran mixture and stir.
- Stir in apple butter, nuts and raisins. Mix thoroughly to incorporate completely.
- Scoop into 12 muffin (paper lined), or greased muffin pan or baking stoneware and bake for 16-18 minutes.
- Remove from oven and drizzle with honey (optional) and let cool. Serve as is or with butter.
Notes
- I like to make my own apple butter, but feel free to buy 10 ounce jars found in the cooking and jam aisle at your local market – use 3/4 of a cup.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I just made these for the first time, substituting more dried fruit for nuts (I used golden raisins and chopped figs). I wanted more moisture and depth of flavor. Very moist! I thought incorporating molasses to the recipe might impart richness and was wondering how to do this without making the dough too wet. Any ideas? Thank you!
If I was to add the molasses, I would try 1 tablespoon and omit 1 tablespoon LESS of the applesauce. See if that works. Feel free to let me know and I can update the recipe card. Thanks Heidi!
Hi Kevin,
Can I substitute Oat Bran for the all bran cereal?
Thanks.
Lynne
Sure I don’t see why not Lynne.
These muffins are amazing! Moist and nutty and the tops develop the nicest lightly crunchy texture. This is the real deal
I make and freeze often to always have on hand. THE BEST indeed – if I say so myself! 🙂
Hi Kevin, have you tried using wheat bran in place of All-Bran cereal? I have some in my pantry and wondering if it could sub for the cereal? Thanks for the recipe, looking forward to trying it!
No, but do not see why not. Let me know how they turn out Amber. 🙂
I keep trying to print this recipe but the Print Button is not working.
Not sure what’s happening, it works for me and I asked a friend off sight and it printed as well. I’ll email you the recipe Bonnie!
THE PERFECT RECIPE! Seriously nothing needs to be added, changed or altered. The very best bran muffin recipe.
I have made this several times, never a fail, never a different outcome. It is so perfect that you CAN make a small change and it won’t hurt it at all. For instance, I ran out of apple butter and didn’t have time to make it so I just shredded one medium size apple and stirred it in and voila! Still absolutely perfect! It takes a very talented chef to create a recipe that always works even with a change. Thank you Kevin, your recipe is brilliant!
THanks so much, happy you enjoy this one. I love it with pumpkin butter, too! 🙂
Can I use more apple butter and only use walnuts?
Certainly Courtney. Just make sure they are fully cooked and toothpick comes out clean.
How can i make these into bigger muffins? I have a 6 jumbo muffin pan id like to use as my dad asked for bigger muffins. Ty in advance 🙂
Most “jumbo” are about a cup of batter and large sized (or jumbo) muffins will take 20–24 minutes. Hope this helps Courtney!
Seriously the absolute best! My kids love making these with me and they can do most of the work! They would be gone in two days if I didn’t pace them.
That is so wonderful to hear! The muffins are healthy and a great kid-friendly snack!
This is the best bran muffin recipe I’ve come across! It’s SO moist ❤️It’s my go to from now on 😊 The only drawback for me is I can’t find any Apple butter in Calgary, AB so… I made some. Glad I made the effort. Thanks Kevin!
Wow! Thank you Laura! I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
these are excellent!! I had been chasing a moist bran muffin recipe for too long. This is it!! (I glazed the tops with a simple donut glaze — not needed but adds that touch of sweetness without honey)
I am glad you found this recipe then!
Hi , what is apple butter . ? I am not familiar with this product . Is there a substitute?
Pam, it’s a highly concentrated form of apple sauce. It can be found in most markets in the baking or jam aisle. I think I need to do a recipe post on this one!