Spiced Apple Sauce Bran Muffins

I really love a good bran muffin; Warmed up with a swipe of butter… ohh, and maybe a little dollop of jam… Mmmm yeah,  I will happily eat that all day long.

But I feel like maaayyybe people aren’t loving’ as hard on bran muffins as I am? Like I get the feeling that bran muffins kind of have a bad rep with the general population, because I will often suggest them as a snack to a group of people, only to subsequently be met with very awkward stares… like they want to respond to my suggestion with a very polite – yet very hard no, and they don’t know how to do it without shaming me for liking bran muffins.

It seems that people associate the words “bran” and “muffin,” when used together in a sentence, with something that will inevitably taste like cardboard. I once had a friend tell me that “bran muffins are just not worthy of my belly.” I personally felt like that kind of thinking is a damn shame, and was officially offended on behalf of the bran muffin loving community.

Anyways, all of that was just a very long-winded way of me trying to tell you that I have decided to make it my personal mission to get more people proudly riding on the Bran muffin train – and the only way I could think to do that, was to come up with a recipe for the best damn bran muffins you have ever tasted.

Exhibit A; Spiced Apple Sauce Bran Muffins with Maple Butter Glaze. Ya’ heard me, and let me tell you, these bad boys – these Bran Muffins right here – these taste nothing like cardboard. No, they taste like undeniable deliciousness, that’s what they taste like.

Be not afraid, because these are not the tasteless, dry, bran muffins you may have had the unfortunate experience of tasting in the past. No, sir-ee – they are just the opposite. These are moist, flavourful little bundles of joy –  that also happen to be a little bit healthy for you… so there’s also that.

Mmmm, yes; A little sweet, modestly spiced, loaded with juicy raisins and topped with a maple butter glaze these muffins taste delicious all on their own – but with an extra little smear of butter, they are damn near irresistible. Because, I mean, let’s be real, everything is just better with butter…

Not to mention, these muffins make for the perfect weekday snack meal prep. I love whipping up this batter on Sunday evenings, and keeping it stocked in my fridge so that I am free to bake off fresh muffins daily on a whim throughout the week with no muss, and no fuss! But if you ain’t got time for all that muffin baking, they also work just great to bake off the whole batch, and throw any extras (if you should have any survivors) in the freezer for another day. Seriously perfect for a quick breakfast or easy on the go snack.

So let me ask you this? Are you ready to ride the bran muffin train??? Seriously, just give these muffins one chance chance, and let them convert you from a bran muffin hater to a bran muffin lover. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Happy baking lovelies <3 <3

KP xoxo

Spiced Apple Sauce Bran Muffins with Maple Butter Glaze

Things you need…

Muffins
2 cups wheat bran
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp orange zest
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
pinch of cardamom

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Maple Butter Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp butter, melted
4 tbsp pure maple syrup

How to make…

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the wheat bran, buttermilk, apple sauce and orange zest until the wheat bran is moistened. Cover with a tea towel and allow to sit for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425F degrees and line a muffin tin with parchment liners.

Whisk together brown sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cardamom; set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, melted butter, eggs and vanilla until combined. Once your wheat bran has sat for 30 minutes, add the wet ingredients to your bowl and stir to combine. Add in dry ingredients and fold together until batter comes together. Fold in raisins (if desired).

Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin – filling up to the top of the mold.

Bake in the center rack of your oven for 17-19 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the tops spring back to the touch.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare your glaze, by whisking all ingredients together until smooth and pourable. If your glaze is a bit too thick, add more maple syrup 1 tsp at a time until desired consistency is achieved. Similarly, if your glaze is too thin, add in more powdered sugar 1 tbsp at a time.

Drop a spoonful of the glaze on top of the center of each muffin and allow the glaze to drip down and sprinkle with a bit of dark brown sugar for garnish if desired.

Serve plain, or with a smear of butter or jam and enjoy!