Fun Food Friday- Bran and Applesause Muffins

The boys in this household are big fans of muffins for breakfast.  When we got married Steve's mom gave me this applesauce muffin recipe because it was one of Steve's favorites.  And then another one of Steve's favorites is Bran muffins and I found this recipe in the coupon section of the newspaper and it looked good and was a pretty healthy version of Bran muffins so I tried it and it's really good.  So I thought I'd share those two recipes with you today.  I almost always double my muffin recipes and then just freeze some of them (if I make a single recipe, with the 4 boys in this house they only last a couple days :)).  So that's why I'm using more ingredients in the picture than the recipe calls for. :)
Okay, first off, Bran muffins.  Now this recipe calls for Raisin Bran but my husband absolutely detests raisins, so I went through the huge trouble of picking out all the raisins.  Why did I not just buy Bran cereal without raisins you ask, because it was $1 more than the ones with raisins and I'm Dutch and didn't think it would be that bad picking out the raisins.  Yeah, next time I'm definitely spending the extra $1. :) 

Ingredients: Butter, Eggs, Bran Cereal, Brown Sugar, Applesauce, Milk, Flour, Salt, Baking Powder (note that in the picture I have baking soda but while I was making it I realized it was supposed to be Baking Powder :))

In a small bowl mix the cereal and milk.  Let stand for 3 minutes.

In a bigger bowl mix together flour...

Baking powder...

and salt

Mix together

Smash up the cereal (I used a potato masher but you can also use a fork)

To the cereal mixture add beaten eggs...

Brown sugar...

 

and melted butter. 

You are also supposed to add applesauce here and I'm not sure if I just forgot to take a picture of it or if I just plain forgot to add it (I made these a few weeks ago).  I remember they tasted fine so I'm thinking I just forgot to take a picture. :)

 

Mix all together

 

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients...

and mix until all combined

Scoop into muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

I recently discovered that I have a convection capability on my oven, oh my goodness, it has changed my life!  Well, at least it's changed my muffins and cookies.  :)  So if you have that ability on your oven, I highly recommend it!

Enjoy!

 

Applesauce Muffins

These muffins are not "quite" as healthy as the Bran muffins (they use a little more butter and sugar :)), but oh boy, they are yummy.  The applesauce makes them so moist!

 

Ingredients: Butter, Eggs, Sugar, Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Applesauce

To a mixing bowl add softened butter...

And sugar

Cream together

Micah is very proud that he can turn the mixer on all by himself and he's pretty good, he knows you first turn it on slow so the sugar doesn't fly everywhere and then you can turn it up.  Such a good little helper!

Beat the eggs in a cup...

And add to the creamed mixture

And mix

Then add the applesauce

And mix

We had another little helper come join us (he didn't last long)

Then add the flour...

Baking powder...

Baking soda...

Salt...

and cinnamon

Slowly mix together...

Until all combined.  Then I mix it on high for another minute till it's nice and fluffy

 

Then just scoop into muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes

 

Don't forget to lick the spatula :)

Cool and enjoy!!

 

Bran Muffins

2 cups Raisin Bran cereal (or plain bran cereal if you detest raisins like my husband)

1 cup milk

1 1/4 cups flour

1 TBS baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup applesauce

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 TBS butter, melted

 

Mix together cereal and milk, let stand for 3 minutes.  In a large bowl mix together flour, baking powder and salt.  Smash up the cereal, then add egg, applesauce, sugar and butter, stir together.  Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture, stir until just moistened (batter will be lumpy).  Scoop into muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

 

Applesauce Muffins

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup applesauce

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

 

Cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs and beat well.  Add applesauce, flour, salt, powder, soda and cinnamon.  Mix until all combined, the mix for another minute until fluffy.  Scoop into muffins tins and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.