Unknownchef86'S Six Week Bran Muffins

• 5 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 quart buttermilk
• 5 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 cups 40% natural bran (or equivalent bran-flake cereal)
• 4 cups all-bran cereal
• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• 2 cups chopped dates

1. Add soda to water; let cool.
2. Cream shortening and sugar in large mixing bowl.
3. Add eggs, blend well.
4. Stir in buttermilk, flour and salt.
5. Add soda-water.
6. Combine remaining ingredients in large (at least ten quarts) bowl.
7. Stir liquid into dry ingredients til blended.
8. Before first use, let batter sit a few hours to overnight in fridge to allow flavors to blend and fiber to soften.
9. Fill muffin pans 2/3 full.
10. Bake 20-25 minutes in 400 oven.
11. Store remaining batter in refrigerator in a covered container.
12. Keeps up to 6 weeks.

baking soda, boiling water, shortening, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, flour, salt, bran, allbran, walnuts, dates

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/unknownchef86s-six-week-bran-muffins-100449 (may not work)