Thank you to everyone who has emailed, called, or messaged me to ask where I have been the last couple weeks. No, I was not on an exotic vacation to get away from the never-ending Chicago winter (I actually like winter), and I wasn’t sick. I was doing something very boring but now am glad I did: cleaning out every corner of my kitchen! It’s been way too long since I have taken on this tedious task, and why not do it now when it’s still snowing well into April. I found some treasures I had forgotten about tucked away in high cabinet corners, and also threw away things I didn’t need anymore. I rearranged almost everything and will have to get accustomed to items in different places than I am used to, but now I won’t have to stand on a chair to reach most things.
In my pantry, I came across a small amount of organic wheat bran, a small baggie with some raisins, and an almost empty bottle of molasses. In the refrigerator was an almost empty jar of unsweetened applesauce. Does that sound like muffins or what?
Oh my, these were good, so tender and full of flavor. I was going to make twelve, but decided to make six giant-sized instead. When I found this pan stuck under something else, it was time to use it again. Plus my Bill loves over-sized muffins just as he loves over-sized cookies. I couldn’t find my cake tester (see, I knew that would happen when I moved things) so I pressed my finger into the middle center muffin and made that hole. Gives it character, right? Still tasted great.
If you don’t have giant-sized tins, just make twelve regular-sized. You can also grease or spray the tins but I also found about three boxes of giant paper muffin cups and decided to use those.
The muffins are great on their own or you can spread on a little butter. They are delicious and filling, and make an entire breakfast with nothing but a cup of coffee or glass of milk to enjoy with them.
Now I am going to have some fun in the kitchen with some old favorite pans, utensils, and other items. Wait until you see what I am going to use for my birthday treat on Saturday. It is something I had forgotten about along with a recipe I have never tried before. I think this organized new-old kitchen is going to be an adventure with lots of new recipes to try. That is, if I can find things again.
- 1-1/4 cups unprocessed wheat bran
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup milk (I used skim)
- ⅓ cup dark molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- ½ cup dark raisins
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line 6 giant muffin tins with giant paper muffin cups, or a 12 muffin tin with regular-sized paper muffin cups. You can also grease the cups or use cooking spray, if desired. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the bran, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, and salt. Make a well in the center.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, milk, molasses, egg, and oil until well-blended. Pour into the well of the dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Stir in raisins.
- Fill muffin cups evenly with batter. Bake for 20 minutes if using the giant tins, or about 15 minutes for smaller tins, or until a tester inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean. Remove from oven and let sit a minute, then turn out on wire rack. Serve warm. Makes 6 giant muffins or 12 standard size.
I hope I get inspired to clean out my kitchen too! It sure could use it! These muffins look very tasty, Debbie! Thanks for sharing!
Ronna, I never thought when I started the cleaning process it would take so long! But sure worth it in the end.
I’m in the midst of a similar project. It does feel good when everything is clean and organized, doesn’t it? Like you, I’ll probably have some issues finding things for a while. I did learn that I have three cake testers! And I found a perfect place to store them so the don’t get bent — in my sugar shaker. I just stuck them in the holes. I hardly ever use the shaker, and it won’t be a big deal to remove the cake testers when I need to use it. Which will probably be when I’m making a cake or muffins and need to use the shaker.
Great storage idea, Madonna. I found my favorite cake tester hours after I made the muffins.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! It really sounds delicious!
Thanks, Dawn!
Thank you Debbie for this delicious looking muffins! I love muffins also. And I need to get my kitchen organized as well. I have some molasses that I need to use and this would be the perfect recipe!!!
Lisa from Conroe
Thanks, Lisa. I hope you like them!
I need to reorganize my kitchen cupboards and drawers, too, but the weather has been so nice lately that I’ve been busy working in the garden!! Would love to drop off a nice little bouquet of forget-me-knots for your to enjoy with your bran muffins. The little blue flowers would look lovely with your pretty blue plates. Enjoy your organized new-old kitchen. Your recipe sounds hearty and yummy. Thanks for sharing.
Made these muffins tonight and was thrilled with how they turned out.
Hi April- I’m so glad you liked the muffins! They are a favorite at our house. Thanks for writing!
I am new to this site,but I have to say I have made these muffins twice in the past week and they are amazing! I have thought about using whole wheat flour,but I was afraid they would be too chewy. So healthy and yummy !
Hi Rosemary! I’m so glad you found me, and happy that you liked the muffins. I have never tried them with whole wheat flour, but I’d love to hear how they turn out if you make them that way. Hope you enjoy future and past blogs! Thanks for writing.
how many calories per reg size muffin?
Betty, I’m sorry but I don’t know the calorie count!
how many calories per reg muffin
Hello!
I tried this recipe about a week ago. The muffins were great! Plan to make these again in a couple of days. Thank you for this recipe.
You’re welcome, Yol! I’m so glad you liked them.
I just made these…DELISH!! and so easy. Thank you for the recipe!!
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Judy!
Great flavor but the bottoms stuck to the liners
Bob, maybe try greasing the tins instead of using liners, or mist the paper liners with nonstick spray. I personally prefer greasing muffin tins and never have a problem.