Vintage Rose Kitchen: Healthy Bran Muffins

Okay, so I love interesting foods, and if they are "healthy" AND simple, count me in! I've used this Bran Muffin recipe for probably well over 10 years. I did a google search recently and noticed that the "original" bran muffin recipe has been around for a while. As always I tend to adapt a recipe to my own likes and/ or needs, things like, less sugar AND more flavour.... so here is my version of the recipe:

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 and 1/3 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup cooking oil
2 cups digestive bran
2 cups milk (soya, or other or half water)
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups Nutty wheat flour (altho you can use normal cake flour)
2 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/3 cup raisins (or less to taste, or optional)*

How to make the muffins:
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, oil and brown sugar until well creamed.
2. Add digestive bran, milk (or substitute fluid), bicarb, salt, vanilla essence and flour. Mix well.
3. Add raisins, mix and fill muffin pans 2/3 full.
4. Bake for approx 25 minutes in oven set to 160 degrees. (325F)
5. Cool and enjoy!
This makes approx 24- 30 bran muffins and they freeze very well. I tend to make a huge batch and freeze them for when required.

Ringing the changes*:
Add 1/2 cup chopped dates
Add 1/2 cup chopped pecan nuts
Add 1/3 cup sunflower, pumpkin, sesame seeds
Add 1/2 cup cranberries
Add 1 cup fresh strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries
Add 1 cup grated carrot
Add 1 cup grated apple

These are some of the things I've added / tried before, and all with great success. I tend to add whatever we have at home, so at times the Bran muffins will have raisins, nuts, grated carrots and seeds. The options are endless and this is truly a flop proof recipe!

Have fun and a great weekend! G