OAT BRAN

“Oat bran” is a whole grain (it’s like finely ground oats) that I have been wanting to try using.  I decided to make Bran Muffins because I have a great recipe that calls for oat bran.  It also calls for mashed banana (which I love using because it always makes cookies and muffins so moist!) and applesauce.  But, instead of applesauce, I chopped up a small apple and microwaved it for a minute, than mashed it up a little, kind of like a chunky applesauce, but all natural. 

The muffins turned out great!  And everything in it is good for you; wheat, oats, fruit, raisins… loaded with fiber and makes for a great snack.  I baked them in mini muffin tins so they are bite-size and easy to package to give to others.

BRAN MUFFINS 

• 2 ½ cups oat bran
• 1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 cup 1% milk
• 3-4 tablespoons canola oil or margarine
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 cups raisins (you can also use craisins or golden raisins)
• 2 cups bananas, mashed
• 1 cup applesauce (or chop and mash 1 apple)

-Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.  Then mix them together.  Spray mini-muffin tins or regular muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray.  Add a drop of dough about the size of a cookie scoop.  Sprinkle the tops with brown sugar. 

-Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes for mini sized tins (bake longer for regular-size muffins).