Bran . . . sounds like an elderly person’s food, right?  No, the grandkids love them, and they are great for breakfast.  You can even serve them for dessert or as the bread at a meal.  Nana has also shared a zucchini bread recipe that can be used similarly.

Ingredients

• 1 cup bran flakes
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ cup Crisco
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 2 cups bran buds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ½ cup raisins (optional)
• ½ cup pecans (optional)

Instructions

• Pour boiling water over bran flakes.  Set aside.
• Cream Crisco and sugar.
• Add eggs and buttermilk.  Beat well.
• Add flour, bran buds, salt, baking soda, and fold in soaked bran flakes. You can also add raisins and pecans, if desired.
• Fill greased muffin tin ²/₃ full of batter.  Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.  Bake as many muffins as you need.
• Refrigerate and store the remainder of the batter in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.