Treacle Raisin Bran Muffins

These healthy, sweet, moist and fluffy muffins (yes a fluffy bran muffin does exist!)  are a perfect way to start the day. Filled with plump raisins, rich dark treacle and coconut sugar they are not overly sweet and are in fact, good for you. A combo blend of unbleached white flour and whole wheat flour boost nutrients.

The moisture comes from eggs, unsalted butter and creamy plain yogurt. The resulting muffin texture is divine; not coarse or crumbly as what one might expect from a bran muffin made without added oil. Rather than adding unnecessary extra fats the trick is to grind 1/2 of the bran cereal before adding it to the batter. This provides such incredible lightness in the finished product.

Raisin Bran Muffins

Here's an odd tidbit of info for you. I suffer from migraines. I probably get 2 a month and each time I do I get a craving. It is the same craving each and every time : muffins. Once the headache starts to subside I begin to behave like a rabid fox. I NEED a muffin. Nothing will stand in my way. And yes, I also have a craving for a specific flavor of muffin. Not any old one will do. Yesterday I had a migraine and sure enough, today I woke up salivating for a plump and juicy raisin bran muffin so much so that I dragged my worn out body (and head) to the grocery store to specifically buy All-Bran cereal.
Then I got crackin'.

I am in love with Lyle's Golden Syrup and Black Treacle. I wanted the best of both worlds jam-packed into one gorgeous muffin so why not a deep, dark and rich spiced raisin bran muffin?

I had bookmarked a recipe several weeks ago which I had found on a fellow blogger's site knowing a craving would arise when it would come in handy. Sure enough, that day arrived.

I did alter the recipe and ensured Lyle's brands stayed in the forefront. If you have not had Lyle's products then get out there and buy them! I could sit and eat the syrup or treacle with a spoon they are simply that good.

Ok, on to the muffins. I wanted large, substantial muffins and as good luck would have it, I had just purchased a giant muffin tin in the USA last weekend. It sure came in handy today. This recipe made 9 giant muffins.

So let's get started !


My preferred ingredients





This recipe produces incredibly rich and moist bran muffins

RECIPE:
*adapted source recipe: The English Kitchen

WHAT YOU NEED

2 cups all bran cereal
1/4 cup corn syrup (I use Lyle's Golden Syrup)
1/4 cup black treacle ( again, I only use Lyle's. If you don't have treacle, use molasses)
1 1/4 cup milk (2% works fine)
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup oil (my preferred choice is grapeseed oil but feel free to use any neutral vegetable oil)
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (Saigon variety is excellent here!)
1 large handful dark raisins
1 large handful golden raisins
large oats for sprinkling before baking
turbinado sugar for sprinkling before baking

MAKE IT

PREHEAT OVEN to 400F
LINE 12 regular sized muffin cups with paper liners or 9 muffin cups from 2 giant muffin tins
ADD water 1/2 way up to the top of any empty muffin cups to ensure muffins bake evenly
IN LARGE BOWL, add 2 cups all bran cereal
IN MICROWAVE SAFE BOWL, combine milk, syrup and treacle
MICROWAVE 1 minute 80% power
WHISK milk mixture to thoroughly combine and pour over all bran cereal
LET sit 15 minutes
IN SMALL BOWL, whisk together egg, vanilla and oil. Set aside
IN MEDIUM BOWL, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, allspice and cinnamon
POUR wet ingredients and dry ingredients into all bran mixture
FOLD together until just combined
GENTLY FOLD in raisins
WITH ICE CREAM SCOOP, fill muffin cups nearly to top of paper liner
SPRINKLE tops with oatmeal and turbinado sugar
BAKE 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
LET cool in pans 5 minutes the remove to cooling rack.

ENJOY !

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