Bran Muffins

from Don Sargeant

Ingredients:

• • l cup boiling water

  • l cup unprocessed bran

  • ½ cup solid veg. shortening

  • l cup packed dark brown sugar

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • l-½ cups buttermilk

  • 2 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind

  • 2-½ cups flour

  • 2-½ teaspoon baking soda

  • l-½ teaspoon baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • l teaspoon vanilla

  • 2 cups bran cereal (Bran Buds or All Bran)

  • l cup chopped dates

  • l cup golden raisins

Directions:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400^o.

  2. Pour boiling water over the bran in a small bowl and set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.

  3. Cream shortening with sugars until light and fluffy.

  4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

  5. Beat in buttermilk and rind until mixture is smooth.

  6. Add four, soda, baking powder and salt and beat until well blended.

  7. Add the remainder of ingredients.

  8. Bake 20-25 mins.

  9. Makes about 13.

  10. Freeze well.

Variations:

Optional: various spices, dried apricots, etc.