bran muffins

*found on tasty kitchen

* 1-½ cup Bran Flakes Cereal
* Boiling Water, As Needed
* 1 cup Raisins ( I used crasins I like them better)
* ¼ cups Shortening
* ¾ cups Light Brown Sugar, Packed ( I only did 1/2 c.)
* 1 whole Egg
* 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
* 1 cup Buttermilk
* 1-¼ cup All-purpose Flour
* 1-¼ teaspoon Baking Soda
* ¼ teaspoons Kosher Salt
* 2 Tablespoons Sugar
* ½ teaspoons Cinnamon



Place the bran flakes in a small bowl. Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over the cereal. Mix so all the cereal is moistened. Set aside. Place the raisins in another small bowl. Pour boiling water over the raisins until all are covered. Set aside.

Butter a 12-cup muffin tin. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.

In a medium bowl, beat together the shortening and sugar until combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Stir in the bran flakes and then the buttermilk. Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix just until combined. Fold in the raisins.

Divide the batter amongst the muffin tin. Mix the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle each with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, rotating halfway through. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan then remove to a wire rack.