Today was 75º and sunny. I went for a run, read on my roof, and had my windows open all afternoon. What an ideal day. But, no. A tornado decided to pay a visit to Ann Arbor. It has been hailing for a good hour, there are flash floods all over town, and there is an official Tornado Advisory Warning on Washtenaw County right now.
Department of Public Safety sent around an email to the student body telling everyone to stay indoors. And a number of houses the next town over got destroyed by a funnel cloud. Funny to think that 5 hours ago I was basking in the sun in my bathing suit (Heck yeah, 75º is tanning weather. Don’t judge).
So naturally, I stayed inside and baked. I’m now holed up in my kitchen with flour all over my arms, still sporting bathing suit bottoms and a big tee. And I’ve got these lovely little Not Your Grandma’s Bran Muffins in the oven. I guess it’s still a perfect day. They are so moist and soft and surprisingly not dense and sweetened by raisins! I will for sure be making these again soon.
(Update: I brought these into work and my boss liked them so much he’s begging to pay me so I can make him more. Yeah. They’re THAT GOOD.)
How to make bran muffins
Bran muffins are super easy to make, but there are a few extra steps in this recipe that you don’t find in most muffin recipes. Before adding the wheat bran to the muffin batter, you first have to toast it for a few minutes in the oven. While the wheat bran is toasting, heat some raisins in a pot of water and simmer until the raisins have soaked all the water up. Transfer the raisins to a high-powered blender or food processor, and mix until smooth.
Once all that’s done, you can make the muffin batter. Simply combine the wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls, and then mix the two together. Bran muffin batter is on the thicker side, and it requires more time in the oven than regular muffins. And because the batter is already brown in color, it’s tricky to tell when the muffins have finished baking. I usually just poke the center of the muffins after they’ve been in the oven for 20 or so minutes. If the center is firm, they’re ready to be pulled out!
Not your grandma’s bran muffins
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cup wheat bran
- 1 cup, plus 1/2 cup dark raisins
- 1 cup, plus 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or plain low- or non-fat yogurt
- a few swipes of fresh orange zest
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Spread the wheat bran on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for six to eight minutes, stirring a few times so it cooks evenly. Let cool.
- While the bran is toasting, heat 1 cup of the raisins with 1/2 cup of the water. Simmer for ten minutes, or until the water is all absorbed. Puree the raisins in a food processor or blender until smooth.
- In a large bowl, mix together the toasted bran, buttermilk or yogurt, 1 cup water, then mix in the raisin puree, orange zest, and brown sugar. Stir in the oil, and eggs.
- Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and sift directly into the wet ingredients. Stir until the ingredients are just combined, then mix in the remaining 1/2 cup raisins.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin tins, making sure the batter is mounded slightly in each one. Because muffin tins can very in size, if your tins are larger, make fewer muffins.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the muffins feel set in the center.
More homemade muffin recipes from Broma Bakery:
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Magical Whole Wheat Banana Muffins with Walnuts
60 comments
Kathleen
I’ve never posted a review for any receipe, but this is the absolutely Best bran muffins I’ve ever made. Thank you!
★★★★★
Sarah | Broma Bakery
Omg well I couldn’t be more flattered! It’s all Nancy Silverton– it’s her original recipe 🙂 I’m just obsessed!
Christine
These bran muffins are amazingly good! Very moist and tasty. Althoigh i had to alter the recipe because half way through i realized my pantry lacked some ingredients. My 4 year old just are 3. My 12 year old thought they tasted like bird seed. Which is wierd because she is the most adventurous eater. TO each their own I guess…
I will be making these often.
I subbed in avocado oil and 1/4 C honey instead of the brown sugar. My batter was runny so i could not mound the tops well so they cooked up flat. I will measure more precisely next time.
★★★★★
Sarah | Broma Bakery
Hi Christine! Great feedback. I would definitely suggest making these as the recipe states, as they are unreal when made to specifications! However, still glad you enjoyed them 🙂
DONNA LEWIS
I made these today and followed the recipe to a T. Mine were thin and made 48 mini muffins. There was no way they were going to mound. They taste great, but had too much liquid. I will either decrease the water or blenderize (I have a BlendTec blender), so they are more like flour. What do you think happened?
Sarah | Broma Bakery
I’ve made them multiple times and they’re always SUPER thick. I’m wondering if you missed an ingredient?
Rachel
These look amazing, cant wait to make them!! May o ask where did you get your muffin liners??
Joycee
Using your tip about using Crushed Raisin Bran in place of the wheat bran. I supposed there was the additional 1/2 cup raisins in there too so just added the 1 cup puréed raisins. In the oven, can’t wait! This is my favorite Bran Muffin recipe!