Applesauce Bran Muffins

By kathleentirpak

A deliciously healthful muffin, especially as created with homemade applesauce. Unprocessed wheat bran is available at health food stores.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 stick melted butter
• 2/3 cup applesauce
• 2 lightly beaten eggs
• 1/3 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup unprocessed wheat bran
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 1 cup raisins
• optional : 1/2 cup minced walnuts

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin tins. Pour melted butter over brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Add applesauce, eggs, half-and-half. In a separate bowl, combine flour, wheat bran, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Add liquid mixture to dry ingredients. Fold in raisins. Add walnuts if desired. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake 20 minutes, until golden and firm.

Applesauce : core, peel, and roughly chop 4 medium apples. Place the apples in a heavy saucepan with 1/4 cup water and 2 lemon slices 1/2" thick each. Cook over medium-high heat for about 12 minutes. Discard lemon slices and mash apples with a potato masher. Add 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ginger, and the juice of the remaining lemon. Return pan to stove and cook at medium for 3 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before using in recipe.