Bran Muffins

Ingredients

• 4 cups All Bran cereal
• 2 cups 40% Bran flakes cereal
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 quart buttermilk
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup shortening (oleo)
• 4 eggs
• 5 1/2 cups pre-sifted flour
• 5 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups raisins or chopped dates, optional (Carolyn B.)
• 1/2-1 cup chopped nuts, optional (Carolyn B.)

Instructions

1. Combine bran cereals and salt in a large roasting pan.
2. Stir in boiling water and buttermilk; cool to lukewarm.
3. In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and shortening.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Stir in the bran mixture.
6. Combine flour and baking soda; add to the dampened dry ingredients.
7. Add raisins/dates and nuts if wanted.
8. Store batter in the refrigerator until ready to use (keeps up to 4 weeks).
9. Fill muffin tins lined with muffin papers 2/3 full.
10. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes.