Apple Cider Bran Mini Muffins Using Whole Wheat

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• ¾ cup bran cereal (such as General Mills® Fiber One®)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tart apple, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups cold apple cider
• ½ cup applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step 1

Lightly heat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease two mini muffin pans with cooking spray. Next, put the bran cereal in a food processor and pulse it until it turns into a fine, flour-like texture. Pour that into a large bowl and add the whole wheat flour, chopped apple, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Give everything a good toss to mix it all together.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, whisk the apple cider, applesauce, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and gently stir just until combined—you’ll notice the batter is a bit runny at first. Let it sit for a minute or two so the baking soda and cider can work their magic and thicken the batter.

Step 3

Spoon small amounts of batter into your prepared muffin cups, filling them about three-quarters full. Pop the pans in the oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the muffin tops spring back when you press them lightly. Once baked, let the muffins cool a bit before digging in.