Recipe: Bran and Dried Cherry Muffins

Bran and Dried Cherry Muffins
Source: Eating Well Magazine
Makes 12 muffins

1 1/2 cups dried cherries or raisins
1 cup wheat bran
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
1 cup all purpose white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 large egg whites

Preheat oven to 375. Lightly oil or coat 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray.

In large bowl, combine cherries or raisins, bran, buttermilk, sugar, oil, molasses and egg. Let stand for 10 minutes.

In separate bowl, mix together flours and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the bran mixture and stir just until moistened. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be lumpy.

In clean dry bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter. Spoon the batter in the prepared muffin cups.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.