Raisin Bran Muffins Recipe

By
Stella Parks
Stella Parks
Stella Parks
Editor Emeritus
Stella Parks is a CIA-trained baking nerd and pastry wizard, dubbed one of America's Best New Pastry Chefs by Food & Wine. She was the pastry editor at Serious Eats from 2016 to 2019.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated May. 07, 2020
20161205-bran-muffins-vicky-wasik-10.jpg
Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Pre-hydration prevents bran flakes from drying out the muffin batter.
  • Cold yogurt and eggs help cool the hot bran, speeding the process along.
  • Greek yogurt keeps the batter thick, so the muffins rise with a beautiful dome.
  • A touch of all-purpose flour provides structure, so the muffins don't crumble apart.

I love the hearty taste and texture of whole grain flour plus an extra dose of bran, which makes these muffins as cozy as a cable knit sweater. Don't be alarmed by the seemingly outrageous quantity of cinnamon: Its flavor is diluted to a gentle back note by the sheer volume of the muffin batter. I like to finish these muffins with a sprinkling of flax for crunch, but a sprinkling of bran flakes will crisp up nicely as well. Bran muffins bake best in a nonstick pan, which gives them a beautifully rounded dome (more on that here).

Recipe Facts

4.6

(7)

Active: 10 mins
Total: 35 mins
Serves: 12 servings

Rate & Comment

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces wheat bran, such as Bob’s Red Mill (1 cup; 55g)

  • 8 ounces boiling water (1 cup; 225g)

  • 4 ounces plain, non-fat Greek yogurt (1/2 cup; 115g)

  • 2 large eggs, cold

  • 6 1/2 ounces whole wheat flour (1 1/2 cups; 185g)

  • 5 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon; 155g)

  • 5 1/4 ounces sugar (3/4 cup; 150g)

  • 1/2 ounce ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon; 15g)

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon (3g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume or use the same weight

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg

  • 6 ounces unsalted butter, soft and creamy—about 68°F (20°C)(12 tablespoons; 170g)

  • 6 ounces golden raisins (1 cup; 170g), optional

  • 3/4 ounce flaxseed (3 tablespoons; 20g), optional

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350°F (177°C). In a large measuring cup, combine wheat bran and boiling water. Let stand 5 minutes, then stir in Greek yogurt and eggs. Meanwhile, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until the butter is incorporated, then add bran mixture and continue only until the batter is well combined. With a flexible spatula, scrape the bowl and fold the batter once or twice to make sure it's well mixed from the bottom up, then fold in the raisins if using.

  2. Divide the batter between 12 lightly greased muffin cups, about 4 ounces (1/2 cup; 115g) each. This is enough to completely fill each cup with a little mountain of batter, but do not be alarmed; it will rise significantly but spread very little overall. If you like, sprinkle with flaxseed, and bake until puffed and firm, about 18 minutes. Serve warm, and store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Special Equipment

Stand mixer, nonstick or aluminum muffin pan

Notes

Avoid Greek yogurt thickened with gum, gelatin, or pectin. Look for brands that contain only milk and active cultures; this recipe was tested with both Fage and Chobani.

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
282 Calories
13g Fat
39g Carbs
6g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 282
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 223mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 86mg 7%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 157mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

More Serious Eats Recipes