Fran & Mary's Bran Muffins

Ingredients

• 5 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 quart buttermilk
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups flour
• 3 cups all-bran cereal
• 2 cups 40% bran flakes
• 6 ounces chopped dates or 6 ounces raisins or 6 ounces nuts

Instructions

1. In a large bowl mix baking soda, water and buttermilk.
2. In a seperate bowl cream together shortening, sugar, eggs and salt.
3. Add the cream mixture to the liquid mixture.
4. Stir in bran cereal and flakes.
5. Mix well.
6. Add either dates or raisens or nuts.
7. You can add dates/raisens and nuts.
8. These muffins must be mixed and then stored for at least 12 hours before baking them.
9. Be sure to store in an airtight container.
10. Stir mixture before putting them in muffin pans.
11. Bake 15-20 min at 375 degrees.
12. These keep for 3 weeks in the fridge.