Recipe: Honey Morning Muffins with Orange Butter (using bran cereal and dried cranberries)

HONEY MORNING MUFFINS

2 1/2 cups 100% bran cereal
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup clover honey
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 eggs
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
Honey Orange Butter (for serving, recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners.

Stir the cereal and buttermilk together in a large bowl; let stand for 5 minutes to soften cereal.

Add honey, oil, orange peel and eggs to bowl. Stir until combined, then add cranberries; set aside.

Mix all dry ingredients in a small bowl and add to cereal, mixing just until combined. Stir in pecans, if desired, and spoon into prepared muffin tins. Muffin tins will be very full.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Serve with Honey Orange Butter.

HONEY ORANGE BUTTER

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup honey
1 Tablespoon grated orange peel

Stir together butter, honey and grated orange peel. Store in refrigerator, tightly covered. Serve butter at room temperature.

Makes 12 muffins
Source: National Honey Board