Molasses Bran Muffins

There are so many benefits to increasing the fiber in your diet. Foods high in fiber help to soak up LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream, thus reducing the risk of arterial deposits and possible myocardial infarction. Studies show that fiber also helps to slow the absorption of sugar in the gut, which helps to stabilize blood-glucose levels, which is good for diabetics, those who suffer from insulin resistance and obesity. These muffins are a fairly painless way to add fiber to your diet--at least for non-diabetics. Probably too much sugar for a diabetic--sorry.

• Ready In: 52 mins
• Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients

• 1  cup  all-bran cereal or 1  cup  100%  all-bran cereal
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1  cup molasses
• 1⁄2 cup  vegetable oil
• 1  large egg
• 2  cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup raisins (apricots, pears, peaches, prunes, or figs) or 1⁄2 cup  other minced  dried fruit (apricots, pears, peaches, prunes, or figs)

Directions

1. Prepare muffin tin by coating with with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, add the bran cereal and milk; let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Add in the molasses, oil, and egg; stir to blend.
4. In another mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add the liquid ingredients and raisins to the flour mixture; fold just until blended (do not overmix).
6. Spoon batter into muffin tin (12).
7. Bake in a 400° oven for 20-22 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from the sides and pick comes out clean.
8. Cool on a wire rack before removing from the pan.