My parents’ newfound freedom after we kids moved out led them on a culinary adventure. My mom cooked delicious home-cooked meals for most of my childhood. But, with no kids, they started going out to eat…a lot! They had their favorites and knew the specials on any given day. The kids and I would visit them often during the fall while Greg was hunting. So, we ate with them at these favorite establishments, too.
One of their favorite breakfast spots had a wonderful apple muffin for breakfast. I have not been there in years. My dad passed away 20 years ago, and I’m not sure my mom and I ever returned.
I’m no a scientist, but I believe food and scents are linked to our memories and emotions. When I smell the sweet scent of gardenias, I immediately think of my grandmother. When I eat homemade ice cream, I remember the many ice cream gatherings at my grandparent’s house when my cousins and I would run around catching lightning bugs. And for some reason, I needed to find this muffin recipe, if only to feel close to my mom and dad again for a while.
After buying apples a few weeks ago, I aimed to figure out how to make the muffins. I researched to see what the ratio should be for muffins and came up with a recipe. I used my apple butter, and the muffins were okay, not great, though.
I needed to find a new recipe fast to use my North Georgia apples. This time, I searched all of my cookbooks, and I have a lot, and the internet. I finally ran across a recipe that sounded like the old muffins I remembered, and they are delicious! So moist, flavorful, and delicious with my homemade apple butter and cream cheese. At first taste, the memories of having breakfast with my parents flooded my mind, and they were right there with me for a few minutes, even if it was just in my memories.
They have shredded apples and raisins that I plumped before adding to the batter. Chopped pecans would also work great in this recipe. Wheat bran is an ingredient in one of my favorite bran muffins, so I knew I wanted it in these muffins. It adds a slightly nutty taste and is an excellent source of fiber. You will most likely not find wheat bran on the cereal aisle in most stores. I ordered a big bag from Amazon, but you can also find it in many whole food stores.
Apple Bran Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 cup wheat bran
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded apple
- 3/4 cup raisins plumped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with silicone or paper liners; set aside.
- Heat some water in the microwave. Add raisins to a bowl and pour water over. Let stand while you prepare other ingredients.
- In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, egg, buttermilk, melted butter, molasses and honey; set aside.
- In another bowl, add wheat bran, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; give it a stir.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix. Drain the raisins well. Stir apple and raisins into bran mixture.
- Scoop batter into liners, almost filling. Bake for 17 to 23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not overtake!