These are the world's best bran muffins and the only ones my family will eat. We use store brand bran flakes, and crush it up with the bottom of a glass until it is crumbs. The important thing, though, is to substitute 1 cup of crushed pineapple for half the raisins and add about 1 cup pecans. Since I never have pineapple juice I put the rest of the can of pineapple & juice in the blender, add enough apple or orange juice to make 2 cups and then thoroughly pulverize it. If I can remember, I use less sugar because this muffin is really sweet. I bake them in a dark pan at 350 or in a silver-colored airbake pan at 400. Times will vary, but DON'T overbake and don't use muffin cup liners unless you plan on eating those too. The batter will keep for days in the refrigerator, to be used as needed Cooked muffins can be stored in a closed container for several days, or frozen.

This is such a great and delicious basic recipe. I have been making various forms of it for several years, and have also used raspberries, strawberries, halved red grapes, or even pomegranite seeds! Also have used chopped pecans or sliced almonds instead of walnuts. My family hates feta so we always use milder soft goat cheese, which everyone likes.

These are the world's best bran muffins and the only ones my family will eat. We use store brand bran flakes, and crush it up with the bottom of a glass until it is crumbs. The important thing, though, is to substitute 1 cup of crushed pineapple for half the raisins and add about 1 cup pecans. Since I never have pineapple juice I put the rest of the can of pineapple & juice in the blender, add enough apple or orange juice to make 2 cups and then thoroughly pulverize it. If I can remember, I use less sugar because this muffin is really sweet. I bake them in a dark pan at 350 or in a silver-colored airbake pan at 400. Times will vary, but DON'T overbake and don't use muffin cup liners unless you plan on eating those too. The batter will keep for days in the refrigerator, to be used as needed Cooked muffins can be stored in a closed container for several days, or frozen.

My mother-in-law made this recipe using candied fruit which my children all hated. We have eliminated the candied fruit and substituted real dried fruit: white raisins,cherries,pineapple, and mangoes. Yum! Sometimes I add nutmeg and mace for a spicier cookie. Sometimes I add a half cup of applesauce to the liquids to make the cookies softer or a tsp.of baking powder to make them lighter. All the relatives now expect them for Xmas and they get gobbled up at work instantly.

This recipe is so good I always double it, using a 12in. straight sided skillet. Great leftovers. There are some shortcuts that can cut the prep time at least in half. I use a 30 oz bag of frozen potatoes, shredded or o'Brien. Almost any size bag of prewashed spinach coarsely shredded will do. Powdered garlic and onion can work fine if used generously. I have never used milk in it because I use a whole dozen extra-large eggs. My mom, who is 95 likes it plain, my husband sprinkles it with cajun seasoning, and many eat it with salsa. In an extended family of disgustingly finicky eaters, everyone from 3 to 95 likes this! Happily for me, I was told me about this dish over twenty years ago, but I have never seen it in print before. You have done everyone a huge favor by sharing it,Cheryl.