What if you could have freshly baked muffins ready to enjoy at a moment’s notice without all the hassle of a daily baking session? The answer lies in a delicious make-ahead recipe—Six Week Bran Muffins. These muffins combine the goodness of bran with the convenience of being able to whip up a batch in advance. All you need to do is prepare the batter, store it in the refrigerator for up to six weeks, and bake a fresh batch whenever you crave warm muffins straight from the oven.
Ingredients:
– 3 cups wheat bran
– 2 cups boiling water
– 5 cups all-purpose flour
– 3 cups sugar
– 5 teaspoons baking soda
– 2 teaspoons salt
– 4 eggs
– 1 cup vegetable oil
– 4 cups buttermilk
– 2 cups raisins (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the wheat bran and boiling water. Stir well and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to soften and cool.
2. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease muffin tins or line them with paper liners.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
4. In another bowl, beat the eggs and oil until smooth. Add the buttermilk and mix well.
5. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the bran mixture, stirring gently to combine.
6. Slowly fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy.
7. If desired, gently fold in the raisins until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
10. Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tins for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your freshly baked Six Week Bran Muffins warm with a pat of butter or your favorite jam. These muffins keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or can be frozen for longer storage. Simply pop a muffin in the microwave for a quick, cozy breakfast or snack any time of day. Once you try these convenient and delicious homemade muffins, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them all along. Happy baking!
