Bran Muffins

photo from:http://www.herbivoracious.com/2007/08/bran-muffins.html

My favorite bran muffin in the world WAS Claim Jumper's Honey Bran Muffin. Oh how I loved this muffin.
My waiter there asked me,
"What kind of bread do you want with your salad?"

I responded:
"Umm, What kinds do you guys have?"

Waiter:
"Garlic cheese toast, sourdough roll, apple cinn. muffin, blueberry muffin, cornbread muffin, and Bran muffin."

I thought in my head,
"Ok bran is totally high in fiber, awesome, has to be the best option out of those choices"

So I ordered the honey bran muffin, and loved it. I would go to Claim Jumper and other restaurants and ALWAYS ordered bran muffins whenever available.

I just went to Claim Jumper a few weeks back and looked at their nutrition facts. (Oh, ps- every restaurant HAS to provide the nutrition facts when asked for them, it's my new favorite thing to do!)

My beloved bran muffin's stats were so shocking to me that I swore them off right then and there:

556 calories, yes.... 556 calories!
and 94 g of carbs!!!

I decided to never order my bran muffin again and so I was on the hunt for a homemade bran muffin recipe. I came across these and I LOVE THEM!

Kellogg's THE ORIGINAL ALL BRAN MUFFIN (using a few of their variations)
1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. kellogg's All-Bran original cereal
1 1/4 c. fat free milk
2 egg whites (or 1 egg)
1/4 c. applesauce

1. Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine Kellog's All Bran cereal and milk. Let stand about 2 minutes or until cereal softens.
3.Add egg whites (or 1 egg) and applesauce to the milk and cereal mixture.
4.Stir well- add in flour mixture and mix well.
5. Portion evenly in to 12- 2.5 inch muffin pan cups coated with cooking spray.
6. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Do not use cupcake liners! I made this mistake... the whole muffin sticks to the liner.

These are less than 100 calories per muffin!