Big Batch Bran Muffins #BreadBakers

I've always had a soft spot for bran muffins. I don't mean the standard bakery-fare, greasy but overbearingly dry and sweet concoctions available from our local coffee shop and grocery store - no, I grew up loving the homemade, modestly portioned muffins my mom and grandma made. If I was lucky, I'd bite into one with a heart of jam, or one laced with chopped dates, figs or even (gasp) fresh blueberries. Other times, I'd have muffins made with chunky applesauce and melted butter in place of oil - making each taste like eating apple crumble in a more portable format.

Any way you bite them, this recipe for endlessly customizable, moist and perfectly portioned bran muffins is a fantastic way to start your day. With this recipe primed and ready to go for a HUGE batch - 45 or so - there's enough to divide, switch up the "extras" and bake for the office, or (if you're like me) freezing unbaked for a la minute cravings.

Currently, my go-to flavour is apricot-cherry with a sprinkle of rock sugar on top. What's yours?

Check out this month's #BreadBakers entries below, all featuring stone fruit!

• Apricot and Cherry Focaccia by Herbivore Cucina
• Apricot & Pistachio Buns by Baking Sense
• Apricot & Stilton Soda Bread by Baking in Pyjamas
• Apricot Bread by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Apricot Cranberry Walnut Quick Bread by Spill the Spices
• Apricot Kolaches by Food Lust People Love
• Apricot Oat Casserole Bread with Sweet Vanilla Glaze by A Salad For All Seasons
• Big Batch Bran Muffins by What Smells So Good?
• Brown Sugar and Plum Pull-Apart Bread by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Cherry Bread with Streusel Topping by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Cherry Ricotta Muffins by Sneha's Recipe
• Cinnamon Swirl Peach Bread by Kylee Cooks
• Dried Apricot Bread with Walnuts by The Bread She Bakes
• Eggless Mango Cardamom Walnut Quick Bread by Sizzling Tastebuds
• Eggless Mini Mango Bread by Sara's Tasty Buds
• Mango and Passionfruit Yeast Bread by Mayuri's Jikoni
• Mango Challah by Passion Kneaded
• Mango Jam Rolls with Cremé, Fresh Mangoes and Jam Filling by G'Gina's Kitchenette
• Mango Pull Apart Bread by Gayathri's Cook Spot
• Nectarine-Blueberry Muffins by A Baker's House
• Peach & Nutmeg Sweet Focaccia by The Schizo Chef
• Peach Yogurt Muffins by Magnolia Days
• Plum & Pecan Bread by I Camp in my Kitchen
• Scones with Apricot, Ginger and Brie by Palatable Pastime
• Semolina Bread with Apricots and Sage by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Spicy Peach Oatmeal Bread by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Whole Wheat Nectarine Bread by A Shaggy Dough Story
• Wholewheat Sweet Rolls with Mango Filling by Cook's Hideout

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. Follow our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated each month on this home page. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.

If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.

Big Batch Bran Muffins
Makes 45
5 cups wheat bran
¼ cup ground flaxseed
5 cups buttermilk
2 ½ cups plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1 cup canola oil
¼ cup maple syrup
2 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp maple extract (optional)
1 tbsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ cup Truvia Brown Sugar Baking Blend (or 1 cup light brown sugar)
1 ¾ cups sugar
½ tbsp salt
3 cups flour
2 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 ½ tbsp baking soda
1 ½ cups chopped dried fruit (I used cherries and apricots)
1 cup granola (optional, I used Flax Plus® Pumpkin Flax Granola)
Rock (or raw) sugar, for topping (optional) 

1. In a large bowl, combine bran, flaxseed, buttermilk, sour cream, oil, syrup, extracts and spices.
2. Cover and let sit overnight in the fridge.
3. Stir in the sugars and salt until well blended.
4. Gently mix in the flours and baking soda, then fold in the dried fruit and granola (if using).
5. Use immediately or portion into lined muffin cups (fill ¾ of the way full), top as desired and freeze up to 6 months. (You can also store the batter, covered, in the fridge up to 1 month).
6. Heat oven to 375F.
7. Bake for 30 minutes (fresh) or 35-40 minutes (frozen).

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 182.7
Total Fat: 5.8 g
Cholesterol: 1.6 mg
Sodium: 112.8 mg
Total Carbs: 31.5 g
Dietary Fiber: 4.3 g
Protein: 5.3 g