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Classic Bran Muffins

Easy, classic bran muffins made with bran, whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt.  The best part?  No raisins!

Muffins cooling on rack.

I love bran muffins, and I used to eat one every day for breakfast.  Seriously, I did.  I didn't make them, I got them at a local French bakery in St. Paul, Minnesota.  In fact, I would buy them all up and freeze them so that I always had one on hand.  Years before that, I would buy them up from a supermarket bakery in Cleveland.  I was a bran muffin hoarder.  And why did I obsess over these muffins so much?  Because they had NO RAISINS!  Just really good, plain, moist (hate that word) with a slightly crusty top, bran muffins.  I can never find plain bran muffins, never.  But then recently I came across a recipe for raisin bran muffins that looked really good and I don't HAVE to add raisins, or anything else for that matter.  Just classic bran muffins ~ yea!

Photo of ingredients

I must say, these are pretty darn good.  Whole wheat flour, wheat bran, Greek yogurt ~ good stuff.  They rise up beautifully and are crusty and dense.  They're not quite as dark as my previous addictions, but these muffins have the same texture and a better taste overall.

Muffin split with butter on plate, bowl of muffins in background.

My favorite way to enjoy a bran muffin is for breakfast ~ warm, split in half with the muffin top in tact, slathered with butter, and a good cup of joe.  Maybe a banana, too.  It's the perfect way to start my day.

Classic Bran Muffins, on cooling rack.

So, I have a dozen delicious classic bran muffins now, with no raisins, I'm so happy.  I froze half of them, and Meathead and I (and a guest tomorrow) have some muffins for breakfast the next couple of days.  I feel a newly awakened obsession coming on this new year ~ I'll be making these all the time.  Peace, Kelly

Muffins piled in white bowl.

You know what else I like for breakfast? Sour cream coffee cake!

If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it below in the comments and let me know how it went ~ I love hearing from you! HUNGRY FOR MORE?  Subscribe to my Newsletter and come hang out with me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK

Classic Bran Muffins

Easy, classic bran muffin recipe made with whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt.  Bakery quality, moist and without raisins.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins`
Calories: 267kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup wheat bran
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup non-fat Greek yogurt ~ I like Fage
  • 2 large eggs
  • cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon ~ Yes, 1 tbsp!
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ~ I use Diamond Crystal, always
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • teaspoon ground nutmeg, freshly grated or like me ~ not
  • 12 tablespoon unsalted butter (1½ sticks), room temp, very soft ~ leave out overnight, if you can, needs to be very soft

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350º
  • Put wheat bran in large measuring cup and pour boiling water over it, stir to combine and let sit 5 minutes, then stir in the Greek yogurt and eggs, mix well.
  • Meanwhile, place all dry ingredients in a bowl ~ flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg ~ and whisk to combine.
  • Transfer dry mixed ingredients to bowl of stand mixer and add the really soft butter.  Mix on low speed until butter is fully incorporated.
  • Add the bran mixture and mix until just combined.  Remove bowl from stand and with spatula, make sure batter is fully mixed in from the bottom.
  • Evenly fill well-buttered muffin tin with batter, each of the 12 cups will be pretty full.  The batter rises and puffs but does not spread.  Bake in center of oven until firm, about 18 - 22 minutes.  Pop muffins out to wire rack and serve warm with lots of butter.  Store remaining muffins for 2 days or freeze.

Recipe Notes

If you really want raisins, you can fold 1 cup into the finished batter.  You can also sprinkle some flaxseed on the muffins just prior to baking.
*My preference, is plain ~ no additions!! ?

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal Carbohydrates: 35g Protein: 6g Fat: 13g Saturated Fat: 8g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 62mg Sodium: 257mg Potassium: 153mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 13g Vitamin A: 399IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 74mg Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!
 

*Adapted from Stella Parks, Serious Eats

Recipe Rating




Grace

Thursday 26th of January 2017

Oh my gosh! SO GOOD. I love this. Those bran muffins in St. Paul were the best and I remember going through a bran muffin phase. I'm gonna start making these too ?

Meathead

Thursday 12th of January 2017

Classic indeed! Not only tasty, but good for you!

Jax

Friday 23rd of August 2019

5 star

Jax

Friday 23rd of August 2019

Fabulous.. I often have used Raisinbran Olive oil cinnamon and brown sugar..