Alaska Blueberry Bran Muffins

 This is a basic wheat bran muffin recipe, but I wanted to make it a bit healthier so the ingredients reflect that. These muffins love being filled with fresh Alaska blueberries, but any berry - frozen or fresh - will work just fine. Consider making a double batch and freezing, they thaw quickly and are just as tasty. Perfect snack when you're on the go! ~Patti

Ingredients:

1 cup almond milk + 1 Tbsp lemon juice = "buttermilk"

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

 1 egg

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

1/4 cup molasses 

1 tsp vanilla

1.5 cups wheat bran

1 cup whole wheat flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

1.5 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1.5 cups blueberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425*

Lightly spray muffin tin with non-stick 

Yield: 12 muffins

Whisk together the plain, unsweetened almond milk with a Tbsp lemon juice - this will make the "buttermilk" which helps keep the muffins moist and tender. In a small glass bowl, add this to the yogurt, egg, oil, molasses and vanilla. Whisk together well.

In a large, separate bowl whisk together the bran, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing with a wooden spoon until just combined. Gently fold in berries.

Scoop batter into prepared muffin pans, dividing evenly. If you happen to have one, a heaping #20 standard yellow handle portion scoop,(1.75 oz.) works perfectly.

Bake for about 14-16 minutes until the tops are a bit golden and spring back when touched. Remove from oven and allow to cool about 5 minutes before popping out of the pan. Let them cool completely on a wire rack. 

Notes: Make life easier by making sure ingredients are at room temp - egg can be warmed in a glass of warm water for a quick fix if its just out of the fridge and you can zap the milk in the microwave for a few seconds if needed. Also let the coconut oil cool a bit after melting. If the oil is too warm and added to cold ingredients it can start to solidify...😞

Freshly picked wild Alaska blueberries.