Old-Fashioned Bran Muffins Recipe
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I’m under 40 and love to bake sweets. Why would I choose to make Bran Muffins? For some reason, Bran Muffins remind me of childhood. I really wanted to try another muffin from scratch and I hadn’t had a Bran Muffin in a long time. When I buy muffins, I always choose chocolate, pumpkin, or blueberry. I guess you could say I had a craving.
Bran Muffins may be a strange thing to crave, so maybe I’m low on fiber? Whatever the reason, these muffins were pretty good. However, next time I would definitely add raisins or chopped up dates to make them sweeter. I have been putting honey or jam on this batch when I eat them in the morning. They are best warmed up in the microwave for a quick breakfast!
Ingredients You Will Need
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Sugar
- Salt
- Shortening
- Egg
- Milk
- Bran Flakes
Equipment You May Need
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Muffin Tin
- Cupcake Liners
- Flour Sifter
- Pastry Blender
Helpful Tips for Baking Bran Muffins
- Paper liners are much easier to get out of the muffin tin. It also makes them easier to share and to take on the go during the week.
- When it comes to shortening, I like to use the sticks that are butter flavored, rather than the traditional shortening in a can. It is easier to measure and it adds a buttery taste to whatever I am baking.
- If you need to sift flour or other ingredients, use a wire whisk.
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
If Bran Muffins aren’t your thing, try my Spice Muffins instead. You may also like my Recipe for Hot Cross Buns or my Recipe for Scones.
What is your favorite muffin flavor? Let me know in the comments below.
Old-Fashioned Bran Muffins
Equipment
- Muffin Tin
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Flour Sifted
- 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- ¾ teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cup Shortening
- 1 Egg Well Beaten
- ¾ Cup Milk
- 1¼ Cups Bran Flakes or Bran Flakes with Sugar-Coated Raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line muffin tin with cupcake liners or spray with cooking spray.
- In medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. This can be done with a wire whisk if you don't have a flour sifter.
- With a knife or pastry blender, cut in shortening.
- Combine well-beaten egg with milk and add to flour mixture. Stir only enough to dampen the flour mixture.
- Fold in bran flakes.
- Fill muffin pans about ⅔ full.
- Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
- *Pro tip: Double this recipe if you want leftovers.
Notes
- Paper liners are much easier to get out of the muffin tin. It also makes them easier to share and to take on the go during the week.
- When it comes to shortening, I like to use the sticks that are butter flavored, rather than the traditional shortening in a can. It is easier to measure and it adds a buttery taste to whatever I am baking.
- If you need to sift flour or other ingredients, use a wire whisk.
Recipe adapted from “The General Foods Kitchens Cookbook” Copyright 1959.
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40 Comments
Simona ~ The Grumpy Olive
Okay, I never had a bran muffin but these look amazing! I would probably need to add something to them as you said like raisins and dates, but boy they look amazing! I agree with you – always bake muffins and cupcakes in paper casing, I hate having to try and remove them from silicone or – even worst – from the actual muffin pan!
Heidi Bruaw
Thanks, Simona! They are pretty good, but definitely better with something sweet. Otherwise they are pretty plain. Yes, removing them from the pan is the absolute worst!
simplyalexjean
These sound lovely – I’m a fan of bran muffins as well and love to put some raisins or sometimes dried cherries in with them just for that pop of flavor! Thanks for sharing this recipe 🙂
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! Ooh, dried cherries would be really good too. That’s a great idea!
Bella
Those look so good! I’ll have to try them. Thanks for sharing!
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! I always love sharing. 🙂
lynnmumbingmejia
YUM! I used to be a Manager at McDonald’s and I always loved having a hot raisin bran muffins with butter. I haven’t had one in years! I’ve got to try this one. Lovely recipe as always, Heidi x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Heidi Bruaw
Yes, hot raisin bran muffins are so delicious! Thank you, Lynn!
Headphonesthoughts
Last year I started eating more muffin. I love muffins they are so good. I haven’t ever made homemade ones and would love to try out this recipe.
Heidi Bruaw
Yes, muffins are the best! If you make them, let me know. They are pretty easy to make. 🙂
Tangela
Looks cool. I’m not much of a baker, but I might try these.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you!
Della Driscoll
I’ve never tried these before but they sound really good! xx
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you for reading!
LoseWeightWithAng
These look delicious! I’m saving this for later 😊
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you. They were pretty good!
Tiffany McCullough - Metaphysical Mama
I can’t even remember the last time I had a bran muffin. I’ve been craving muffins lately so maybe I will give these a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Heidi Bruaw
I was the same way and these hit the spot! 🙂
Isa A
I never tried shortening will have to check on that first. I also never go without the paper lining on muffins. This is a healthy take to muffins and would be a great choice for breakfast and evening tea. I dig it for evening tra since at that time I dont like anything too sweet with my already sweet tea. Liked it! xx
Isa A. Blogger
http://bit.ly/39f9FN0
Heidi Bruaw
Shortening is very similar to butter but I haven’t tried substituting butter in this recipe so I’m not sure how it would turn out. I agree, these would go great with evening tea!
A Capone Connection
I honestly don’t think that I’ve ever tried a bran muffin before. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Sounds delicious.
Heidi Bruaw
If you like muffins that are more plain, you will like bran muffins. 🙂
glowsteady
They look so good! I don’t think I’ve ever had a bran muffin and I’d probably want to add something in mine but the texture looks really nice x
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! Yes, adding something sweet would definitely be a good idea. They are pretty plain otherwise.
Charity
Yum! I love muffins for breakfast. I will have to try this recipe out. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you. Muffins are such a yummy and easy breakfast.
Dee
I love having muffins with hot tea in winter. This recipe looks easy to make. I rarely bake anything except cookies once a while. But I will try these as my family loves Bran Muffins.Thank you for sharing.
Heidi Bruaw
Bran muffins are perfect with tea, I agree. These are super easy; you don’t even need a mixer! Let me know what you think. 🙂
Kelly Diane
I’ve never had a bran muffin before but it looks so good. I like the idea of adding raisins for that sweetness kick.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you. They are pretty plain so if you like sweet muffins, you definitely have to add raisins or dates. 🙂
Elle
I’ve never tried a bran muffin before but these sound delicious! Muffins for breakfast everyday is the dream… right?Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! Yes, I wish I could have muffins every day for breakfast!
Fransic verso
These looks yummy for a night snack with hot drink like tea or coffee haha. Thank you for sharing it!
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! They would be perfect for a night snack with a hot drink. 🙂
bournemouthgirl
I don’t think I have tried bran muffins before but they sound interesting. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Heidi Bruaw
They are pretty plain, but delicious! I always love to share. 🙂
aspoonfulofvanilla
Oh I have never made bran muffins before but these sound delicious. I will need to give them a go.
Heidi Bruaw
Yes, let me know if you do!
Laurie
Hi Heidi,
I have All Bran cereal. Would I use equal amounts 1 1/4 cups as stated in the recipe or what would you recommend?
Heidi Bruaw
Hi Laurie,
That should work. The texture may be slightly different, but the taste will be the same. Let me know how they turn out! 🙂