↑

April J Harris

Family, Travel, Food and Style from April J Harris of The 21st Century Housewife.

Meet April Contact Subscribe Blog Disclosure Privacy
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Comfort Food
    • Desserts
    • Muffins
    • Gluten Free
    • Main Dishes
    • One Pot Meals
    • Pasta
    • Sauces
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Home & Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Travel
  • Restaurants

Old Fashioned Bran Muffins

March 22, 2019 by April Harris 30 Comments

77shares
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Yummly
  • Twitter
  • Print
If you love a healthy muffin, you will love this delicious vintage family recipe for wholesome, sweetly spiced, raisin-studded Bran Muffins.

Bran Muffins - a healthier breakfast muffin the whole family will love
The whole family will love these deliciously healthy bran muffins! They are a fabulous way to sneak some goodness into your kids – and any adults who might need a little encouragement to eat a healthy breakfast.

And this, my friends, is a healthy breakfast with a history!

The Story Behind The Recipe

When I was a little girl in Canada, there was a restaurant in Preston, Ontario (now part of the Tri-cities known as Cambridge) called The Knotty Pine. They had a lunch counter and restaurant upstairs, and later they added a fairly formal steak house downstairs.

I still remember the first time my parents took me there. I must have been about nine, and I felt so grown up! They had a fish pond, a totem pole, and even a big statue of a bull. The kitchen had large windows and you could watch the chefs cooking while you sat at candlelit tables.

Do you love muffins as much as I do? Check out these yummy recipes!

My Dad preferred the more relaxed atmosphere upstairs, and he used to stop at the lunch counter at least once a week for a midmorning coffee and one of the Knotty Pine’s famous bran muffins. Once in a while, he’d bring a half a dozen of the muffins home for a treat. We all loved them. They were seriously, seriously yummy, and full to the brim with sweet raisins.

My Dad was friendly with the owner, and one day he came home with the secret recipe for our very favourite Bran Muffins. My Mom and I were delighted and I’ve been making them every since. The original Knotty Pine closed over 25 years ago, but these muffins always bring back wonderful memories of my late parents and my first ‘fancy’ restaurant.Bran Muffins

One of the Classics from The Blog

The photograph above is from when this particular blog post was published in 2013. I first shared this recipe in 2005 on an older incarnation of the blog, and then back in 2009 I made a You Tube video demonstrating the recipe. It’s amazing how far video, the blog and I have come since then! Hence the update with new photographs – this is too good a recipe to leave tucked away at the ‘back’ of the blog!

Seriously, you need to make these. My Bran Muffins are so good you won’t even notice they are healthy! 

Bran Muffins Recipe - a healthier breakfast muffin the whole family will love

Just How Healthy Are Bran Muffins?

Bran is high in fibre, protein, iron, vitamins and minerals. It’s also low in fat.  Be sure to use pure wheat bran in this recipe, not bran cereal.

The Knotty Pine’s bran muffin recipe called for ‘vegetable oil’ but I use mild olive oil. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids – or good fats.

I use raisins or sultanas in this recipe. They are a source of iron, fibre, vitamins and minerals. If you want to you can always soak the raisins in a bit of hot water while you make the muffins. The original recipe recommended you do that, but I find most raisins are quite juicy these days so I usually skip that step.

There’s also quite a lot of cinnamon in these yummy muffins. Spices are good for you, and cinnamon is no exception. It’s full of antioxidants, it’s anti-inflammatory, and is even reputed to boost immunity.

If you love a healthy muffin, you will love this delicious vintage family recipe for wholesome, sweetly spiced, raisin-studded Bran Muffins.

Can I Reduce the Sugar In This Recipe?

Originally this recipe had a whole cup of packed brown sugar but I’ve cut that back to three quarters of a cup, loosely packed. I’ve tested this new version of the recipe widely amongst family and friends, and no one has noticed the missing quarter cup of sugar. (That’s 16 teaspoons of sugar by the way!)

If you have an exceptionally sweet tooth please feel free to use a full cup; conversely, if like me you have found you prefer a lot less sugar these days, you can reduce the sugar down to a half a cup.

So, I’m happy to report that on the whole, bran muffins really are pretty good for you!! But it’s the part about how good they taste that I like best! 

Can you Freeze Bran Muffins?

Bran muffins will keep in a covered container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days, but you can definitely freeze them.  When our son was still at home I used to make a double batch and freeze them so I could have them on hand. I’d even tuck them in lunch boxes to keep things cold and thaw throughout the morning – although I do prefer to warm the muffins if they have been frozen. I put them in a warm oven for about 5 minutes but 20 seconds in a microwave works too.

Bran Muffins Recipe - a healthier breakfast muffin the whole family will love

Old Fashioned Bran Muffins Printable Recipe

5.0 from 8 reviews
Old Fashioned Bran Muffins
 
Print
Prep time
20 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
40 mins
 
Author: Adapted from The Knotty Pine Restaurant circa 1975
Recipe type: Muffin
Cuisine: North American
Serves: Makes 14 - 16 large muffins
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup loosely packed brown sugar (reduce to ½ cup if you prefer)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (sunflower and mild olive oil work well)
  • 2 cups bran
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup of raisins or sultanas
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C or 180°C for a fan oven)
  2. Grease or put paper liners in muffin pans.
  3. Beat eggs in a large bowl.
  4. Add brown sugar and oil. Mix well.
  5. Sir in bran and cinnamon.
  6. Let the mixture stand for ten minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, sift together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt.
  8. Add the flour mixture to the bran mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Do this in four additions - two of the flour mixture and two of the buttermilk, ending with the buttermilk.
  9. Fold in the raisins.
  10. Fill muffin cups half full with batter.
  11. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
3.4.3177

 

More Muffin Recipes You Will Love

Carrot Walnut Bran Muffins

My Mom’s Jam Muffins

Banana and Chia Seed Muffins

Banana Streusel Muffins with Flaxseed

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

77shares
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Yummly
  • Twitter
  • Print

Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Family Recipes, Food, Healthy Living, Muffins Tagged With: bran, bran muffins, breakfast, healthy breakfast, healthy living, muffins

Previous article:
« Everyday Adventures at The Hearth and Soul Link Party
Next article:
Easy Vegetarian Quiche Recipe »

Comments

  1. Lisa @ HappyinDoleValley says

    June 14, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    These look delicious, April! Thanks for sharing the secret recipe…I’ll check out that vlog soon. 🙂

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      June 14, 2013 at 6:32 pm

      Thank you, Lisa! They really are tasty 🙂 Have a lovely weekend.

      Reply
  2. Adelina Priddis says

    June 15, 2013 at 3:49 am

    Mm, these sound good. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      June 17, 2013 at 8:01 am

      It’s a pleasure, Adelina. Thank you for hosting 🙂

      Reply
  3. Diane Balch says

    June 16, 2013 at 12:25 am

    Sounds like the begining of a mystery story… you have to write a fictional account of how your father got the recipe… I’m pinning these muffins, can’t wait to try them.

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      June 17, 2013 at 8:02 am

      Great idea, Diane! That sounds like a fun project 🙂 Thank you for pinning and sharing the recipe.

      Reply
  4. Michelle says

    June 19, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    Thank you for linking, April. You know I always like to read the story behind a recipe and I liked the vlog. I’m not brave enough to do that!

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      June 20, 2013 at 10:44 am

      Thank you, Michelle. And thank you for watching my vlog too 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lucie Melen says

    April 10, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    I know it’s years old now but I’ve just looked up the recipe to make them again so thought I’d say so! Love these muffins 🙂 x

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      April 11, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      Thank you so much, Lucie! It’s lovely to know when people visit older posts – and it’s great for my blog too! I’m really glad you enjoy the muffins as much as we do – this is definitely one of my favourite recipes 🙂 x

      Reply
      • Lucie Melen says

        March 9, 2017 at 8:11 pm

        Here I am again 🙂

        Reply
        • April Harris says

          March 10, 2017 at 12:57 am

          I’m so glad you keep coming back to this recipe, Lucie 🙂 It’s still my favourite muffin!

          Reply
  6. Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says

    January 2, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    April, I LOVE a great bran muffin and yours look scrumptious!

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      January 3, 2018 at 8:31 am

      Thank you so much, Linda! Bran muffins are a real favourite of mine as well 🙂

      Reply
  7. Barbara Chapman ~ French Ethereal says

    February 24, 2018 at 5:42 pm

    Hi April! I do like to make my muffins with bran or 1/3 to 1/2 whole wheat flour for extra fiber in our diets. I saved your recipe to my Yummy board and I’ll have to pull it up and bake some this next week ~ always looking for good easy breakfast muffins that are easy for my husband to take and eat on his way to work! Thank you. <3

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
    Barb 🙂

    p.s. Saw that you wrote a nice comment on Laura's post about tiaras! It must have been neat for you to see the crown jewels!!! <3

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      February 25, 2018 at 5:47 pm

      Thank you so much, Barb! I hope you enjoy the muffins 🙂 It really was neat seeing the crown jewels, and the tiaras etc – I found it really amazing!

      Reply
  8. Claire says

    February 24, 2018 at 6:15 pm

    These look delicious April. I could just try one. Yummy. Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop.

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      February 25, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      Thank you, Claire 🙂

      Reply
  9. Miz Helen says

    February 25, 2018 at 9:49 pm

    Hi April,
    I pinned your delicious muffins, we will love them. Your post is awesome and thanks so much for sharing it with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back to see us real soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      February 26, 2018 at 3:50 pm

      Thank you so much, Miz Helen, and thank you for pinning too!

      Reply
  10. Debbie Williams says

    February 27, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    Thanks April.

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      February 27, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      Thank you, Debbie. I hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  11. Karren Haller says

    March 1, 2018 at 7:56 pm

    Thank you for sharing on Friday Features #omhgff on Oh My Heartsie Girl, your post being featured this week and will be Tagged and shared on Instagram, watch for it. It will also be pinned on Pinterest and shared to Facebook.

    Now I hope you enjoy the little boost, and stop by again to share.
    Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      March 2, 2018 at 4:48 pm

      Thank you so much, Karren! I’m thrilled to be featured, and I really appreciate your support! Have a wonderful weekend!

      Reply
  12. Nancy Wolff says

    April 13, 2018 at 11:15 pm

    April,
    I made these today and they are awesome!! I know what I’m having for breakfast in the morning!
    – Nancy ( Nancy On The Home Front )

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      April 15, 2018 at 3:32 pm

      That’s wonderful, Nancy! I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe. Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Ann Wallace says

    April 20, 2018 at 1:31 am

    Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I gave up looking for this recipe in 2011. My brother just asked for a good bran muffin recipe. Imagine my surprise when I goodled Knotty Pine Bran Muffins and actually found the recipe. I grew up in Preston and have many memories of the Knotty Pine. Their buttered almond cake was also to die for!

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      April 20, 2018 at 11:34 am

      I’m so glad you found it, Ann 🙂 And oh my goodness, I still dream about the Buttered Almond Cake. I grew up in Kitchener, and we used to order one every year for my Grandpa’s birthday. I did have a clipping with the recipe from the K-W Record from years and years ago, but I have yet to bake and blog it. I need to find it and get baking 😉

      Reply
  14. Werner says

    July 27, 2019 at 6:22 am

    Do I use ground bran?
    And it says flour , is that brand flour or All purpose flour? Anxious to giv them a try. Any other tips are welcomed. Thanks.

    Reply
    • April Harris says

      July 28, 2019 at 8:47 pm

      Here’s a link to the sort of bran I use, Werner https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/jordans-natural-country-wheat-bran-60039446 and I do use all purpose flour. I hope this helps. The recipe is pretty straight forward, so hope you enjoy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join me for delicious home cooking, travel and style. Plus when you subscribe to our newsletter you’ll receive a FREE copy of “Five Vintage Family Recipes"!

WANT TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST?

subscribe to the newsletter!

Search

Pinterest

Instagram

Instagram post 2190975069077257663_179821897 🎄 Have you put up your Christmas decorations yet? 🎄I love hearing about people’s traditions around decorating. So many wait until after a birthday or have a special date to start. I’d love to know what happens at your house!
🎄
My Christmas tree has been up since November 1, but only because I had a photo shoot ini early November. It was too much work to take it down again, and frankly it has brightened the dark mornings. 🎄
The rest of the house took shape last week before our first Christmas party. I’m loving how this swag of greenery, pinecones, feathers and flowers made by my favourite florist @greenparlour looks on my Grandmother’s and my Mom’s sideboard in the kitchen. I think that both these lovely late ladies would approve! .
.
.
#apriljharris #the21stcenturyhousewife #mychristmaskitchen #myhomeatchristmas #mylifemystyle #howyouhome #pursuepretty #livethelittlethings #thisishome #myeverydaymagic
Instagram post 2190051477086874443_179821897 🌟 Feeling Festive 🌟Are you feeling festive yet? I definitely am! 🎄🍾🎄 We had a wonderful celebratory weekend. We hosted our annual Christmas cocktail party for 60 friends on Friday, and attended a black tie dinner at beautiful Beaulieu Palace House @national_motor_museum where this photo was taken on Saturday. The decorations at Palace House were stunning, full of holiday sparkle. I'll be sharing more here and on the blog soon!We also celebrated Thanksgiving at our lovely friends' house on Sunday with delicious food and great company.
I hope you are getting into the holiday spirit too! 🎄🍾🌟
.
.
.
#apriljharris #the21stcenturyhousewife #mystylephotochallenge #feelingfestive #amonthinsparkles #decemberphotochallenge @challengecollective #beaulieupalacehouse #christmassparkle  #britishpalaces #beautifulmoments #christmastrees
Instagram post 2189168665777611648_179821897 🌟 Hello December 🌟We started the celebrations early this year, hosting our first party this weekend. We had about 60 friends and neighbours at our annual drinks and nibbles party. I'm definitely feeling festive and I'm loving all the all the sparkle of the season! 🌟My  trousers & top @stellamccartney .
.
.
#apriljharris #the21stcenturyhousewife #mystylephotochallenge #hellodecember #amonthinsparkles #challengecollective #festiveentertaining #partystyle
Instagram post 2186666448969351453_179821897 Complete your Thanksgiving or Christmas cookie tray with my Aunt Dorothy's delicious Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Squares, an easy, no-bake, vintage family recipe your family will love too! These easy to make squares travel well, so they make a great holiday gift.Recipe on the blog (link in profile or go tohttps://apriljharris.com/aunt-dorothys-butterscotch-squares/ )#apriljharris #the21stcenturyhousewife #familyrecipes #foodtraditions #familyfavourites #foodmemories #familyrecipeshare #instagood #inmykitchen #foodtraditions
Instagram post 2184940741679437393_179821897 Don't miss this opportunity to make your voice heard - and to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for our democracy. As a woman, I feel this obligation even more keenly, as my right to vote was hard won by my progressive foremothers.Our right to vote is a privilege, and it is our sacred responsibility to exercise it.#apriljharris #the21stcenturyhousewife #ukelection #registertovote #makeyourvoiceheard #vote #rightsandresponsibilities #election #voterregistration #mylifemystyle
Instagram post 2183439195040981194_179821897 🌟Season of Light 🌟I love the sparkly lights everywhere this time of year.  The lights up in London are particularly pretty and I’m loving all the shop window too, especially the ones @fortnums (check out my stories for more)I had a fun evening up in town with family and friends earlier this week, including the lovely @hannahsark Thanks to @picklechop for capturing the moment!
.
.
.
#apriljharris #the21stcenturyhousewife #visitlondon #christmaslights #littlestoriesofmylife #abmlifeisbeautiful #seasonoflight #shinyhappybloggers #christmaswindows #makingmemories
Follow on Instagram
Foodies100 Index of UK Food Blogs
Foodies100

search

archives

categories

Copyright ©2019, April J Harris. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs


April J Harris & The 21st Century Housewife are registered trade marks of April J Harris in the United Kingdom
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Necessary Always Enabled