Anna's Banana Bran Muffins

Sorry to any Twitter friends who saw this muffin pic already today! I only took one...and didn't take a pic of the crock pot lasagna, since I shared it already. (I did cut on hour off the cooking time this time, btw. The lasagna's top and side was a bit dark last time. My crock pot is new and shiny and extra HOT apparently. So that's a new tidbit for your crock pot notes.)

Anyway, back to the muffins from In the Kitchen with Anna, dh and I were the only ones who gave the muffins a fair try today. Both the girls nibbled and then gently expressed their dismay (yelled, spit stuff out: Miss Manners would have been pleased.) Bran muffins are new to them. They are not really fair or openminded reviewers. (I need a new review staff!) ;)

Ken and I both liked them. Ken is used to a "drier" muffin- he likes all things dry and/or crispy and muffins are, apparently, no exception. Anna Olson is going for moist with these: she has you soak the bran in buttermilk for 15 mins for extra moistness. I enjoy a moist muffin, but found them really banana-y. My bananas were uber ripe: blacken shapes in the fridge, but seemed fine unpeeled. I also used 3 for the 1 and 1/2 c (the recipe said it could be 2 or 3 bananas), so maybe with less ripe and less mashed bananas? I would recommend them though- if you enjoy a moist and banana rich muffin which is quite large for a mere 4 points. I'm packing one for lunch tomorrow. :)

Here is the recipe in brief. lmk if you try them and whether your personal reviewers like them!

Best Banana Bran Muffins

1 1/2c wheat bran

1 c buttermilk

1 1/2c mashed banana

2/3 c light brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1/4 c vegetable oil

1 1/2c flour

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 c raisins I skipped for my children. Next time I'll add them. :)

Preheat oven 350 and grease 12 muffin tin.

In a small bowl blend bran and buttermilk. Let sit 15 mins.

In a large bowl whisk banana, sugar, eggs and oil. Add bran mixture.

In another bowl stir flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add to batter, stirring until just combined. Spoon into muffin tin. Bake 20-25 mins until top springs back. Makes 12 muffins (4 points without raisins :))