Bran Muffins

These muffins are so easy and so tasty.  They are also healthy!  I love making mine with some dark chocolate chips (yes...dark chocolate is good for you!) or eating them plain.  I also will make all 50ish muffins the batter can make at once and freeze most of them and pull them out of the freezer as I go.  So good.  You can also leave the batter in the fridge for up to 30 days and make a new batch fresh each morning.

4 C wheat bran flakes or plain wheat bran
2 C bran buds or all-bran
2 C boiling water
1 quart (4 C) buttermilk
8 TBSP butter, melted
1/2 C applesauce (no-sugar added)
2 C sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
5 C whole wheat flour
4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
dark chocolate chips (optional)

Place the wheat bran flakes and bran buds/all-bran in a bowl with a tight lid.
Pour boiling water over the bran and mix well.  Keep mixing until the bran comes down to room temperature (it will become thick and sticky).
Mix in the butter milk, butter, applesauce, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
Add flour, baking soda, and salt.  Combine well.
Fold in dark chocolate chips if desired.
Refrigerate until you are ready to bake.
Preheat the oven to 375.
Grease or line muffin tins.
Fill the muffin tins 3/4 full with batter.
Bake for about 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Enjoy!

Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe