Apple Bran Muffins

I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this before on here. I’m sure I have because I’ve not stopped thinking about the apple bran muffins I used to get at McDonald’s . . of all places! I’m not sure if McDonald’s still has the apple bran muffins – haven’t been in one in at least four years and, I would be surprised if I ever go in one again. Nothing bad – just that we’re eating way better these days. I did hear they had brought back some of the bran muffins.

Chad was young – 3 or 4 years – and he loved going to McDonald’s for breakfast so, often on weekends, we started our Saturday morning at McDonald’s. I would always get the apple bran muffin and I loved it. The top was sticky and sweet, there were bits of apple in it. it was a very dark muffin. That’s about all I remember. I haven’t had one in probably at least 25 years but I have tried a lot of different recipes trying to make something close.

I may have found a good recipe! Yesterday I came across this recipe. I immediately stirred them up. The recipe says to let the batter sit overnight. There’s 2-1/2 cups of bran (if I’m remembering correctly) and that needs to soak long enough to get somewhat softer. I left out the walnuts and the raisins and I left off the lemon rind because I forgot to put it in. Also, it calls for dried apples. I have freeze dried apples but I figured those would be too crumbly so I used 1-1/2 small apples, peeled and diced.

Vince is still trying to eat low carb and I know he would break little pieces off the big muffins so I’m thinking the mini muffins will be better for us. My batter sat for about 5 hours so I baked 12 mini muffins in a small mini muffin pan. They were fine so I filled the big muffin pan. That means I’ve 60 mini muffins and judging from how much batter is left in the bowl, I’ll probably 120 more muffins tomorrow. That’s ok. I can freeze them.

They are not exactly like I remember the McDonald’s muffins being. I think theirs were a little sweeter and I’m betting they brushed the tops with apple cider or apple juice. Since I’m going to have freeze a lot of these, I may end up brushing the tops with cider or juice.

These are the best apple bran muffins I’ve made and I will continue to use this recipe. Depending on how long it takes us to consume all these, I may half the recipe next time but I surely don’t mind having a supply of muffins in the freezer!