Bran Muffins - Make Ahead - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) box all-bran cereal
2 cups raisins
6 pitted dates, finely chopped
2 cups boiling water
4 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups low-fat buttermilk
4 eggs
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preparation

In large bowl, combine cereal, raisins and chopped dates, pour in boiling water and stir until softened -- set aside.
In another Large bowl mix flour, baking soda and salt.make well in center and set aside.
In food processor combine 1 cup of the buttermilk, eggs and marmalade, puree until smooth.
Pour the buttermilk mixture into separate large bowl and add the remaining cup of buttermilk, applesauce, sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
Pour buttermilk mixture into well in flour mixture and stir just until blended, add reserve cereal mixture and stir just to combine.
Cover with plastic wrap and REFRIGERATE 24 HOURS before using.
Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F.
Spray muffin tins with nonstick spray. Silicone pans are great to use.
Spoon batter 2/3rds full.
Bake to golden brown and puffy 20- 25 minutes.
Let cool 2 minutes then remove muffins from pan.