MAMA'S MAKE-AHEAD BRAN MUFFINS

Mama's Make-Ahead Bran Muffins image

Mama made these for decades when she was a working mother (back in the day when most mamas didn't work). These are easy, so moist, and so good. And because you make up a big batch that's kept in the refrigerator and baked just a few at a time, they are a lifesaver for busy cooks. My kids can scoop 1 or 2 into a tin and pop it in the oven in the morning for their own hot and hearty breakfast. A lovely addition to a brunch because they can be prepared ahead and baked right before serving.

Provided by NerdMom

Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes Muffin Recipes Bran Muffin Recipes

Time 4h25m

Yield 72

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 cups boiling water
2 cups bran cereal (such as All-Bran® Bran Buds®)
3 cups white sugar
1 ½ cups shortening
4 eggs
4 cups buttermilk
5 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups shredded bran cereal
2 cups raisins
5 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

Pour boiling water over Bran Buds® cereal in a medium bowl and let stand.
Beat sugar, shortening, and eggs together in a very large bowl that has a lid (I use a large Tupperware® bowl) with an electric mixer until creamy. Add buttermilk, followed by bran-water mixture. Add flour, shredded bran cereal, raisins, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined; do not overmix and don't stir again.
Let sit in the refrigerator at least 4 to 6 hours before baking.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin tins or line with paper liners.
Scoop batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135.2 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 9.6 mg, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 2.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 166.7 mg, Sugar 12.7 g