48 muffins
preheat oven to 425°
4 cup natural bran
1-2 cups seedless raisins, optional
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 cup boiling water or apple juice
5 cups apple sauce, divided (or mashed bananas), divided
1-2 cups buttermilk
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil or butter, melted
1-2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
5 cups all-purpose flour (may substitute 1/2 cup soy or bean flour)
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
2 cups confectioners’ sugar for glaze, or use streusel topping
Mix bran, soda and hot water, stir and soak 10 minutes. Stir in apple sauce, milk, egg, butter and brown sugar; let stand 5 minutes. In large bowl, blend flour, baking powder and cinnamon; stir in bran mixture just until blended (batter will be lumpy). Stir in raisins, if desired.
Spoon batter into 48 greased 2-1/2 inch muffin pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Cool slightly. Drizzle with Apple Sauce Glaze.
Apple Sauce Glaze:
Blend 2 cup confectioners’ sugar into 1/4 cup apple sauce until smooth.