Bran Muffins

This recipe is awesome.  And HUGE.  Seriously, you will not be able to use your Kitchen Aid mixer.  I start with mine to truly whip up the shortening/butter, but once all of the liquids are in it is full and I transfer it over to a HUGE bowl and a hand mixer when I add the dry ingredients.  It is huge, people!  And here's why.....

This recipe rocks because it "keeps" in the refrigerator for up to SIX WEEKS!!  Can you believe it?!  Mix up the batter, put it in a big ol' tupperware or jar, and stick it in the fridge.  You can cook up a few warm muffins every morning!  Yummer!  I wouldn't expect bran muffins to be sweet and tasty, but these sure are!!  I think it would be fun to give a friend with a new baby a jar of dough so that they could have a tasty snack with minimal effort whenever they crave it.  And, for those who are "counting". . . . these muffins are only 3 points per muffin on the new Weight Watchers Points Plus system.

Bran Muffins

(This bottle keeps up to 6 weeks in the refrigerator.  Makes 3 pint jars plus a little.)

5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups All-Bran
2 cups Bran Flakes
2 cups chopped dates
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

2 cups boiling water
5 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening (or butter)
4 eggs
1 quart buttermilk

Mix boiling water and baking soda.  Set aside to cool.  In a large bowl stir flour, salt, All-Bran, Bran Flakes, chopped dates, and chopped nuts.  Cream sugar and shortening (or butter) in a large bowl.  Stir in eggs one at a time.  Beat well.  Stir in buttermilk and soda liquid.  Stir in bran mixture.  Tightly cover.  Better if refrigerated 12 hours (or more) prior to baking.  To bake, drop by spoonfuls (don't stir) into a greased muffin tins.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Yield: 5 1/2 dozen.