Whole-Grain Bran Muffins

• 1 3/4 cups wheat bran (about 4 1/4 ounces)
• 1 cup whole pitted dates (about 6 ounces)
• 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 medium)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4.5 ounces whole-grain pastry flour (about 1 cup)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• Cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 350u0b0.
2. Spread bran on a baking sheet. Bake at 350u0b0 for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring once.
3. Combine dates and juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat; uncover and let stand 5 minutes. Place date mixture in a food processor or blender; process until smooth. Add buttermilk and next 4 ingredients (through vanilla); process until smooth.
4. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, bran, baking powder, and next 3 ingredients (through salt) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add date mixture to bran mixture, stirring just until moist. Add eggs, stirring just until combined. Place 12 muffin cup liners in muffin cups; coat liners with cooking spray. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake at 350u0b0 for 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of muffins comes out clean. Remove muffins from pan; cool on a wire rack.

bran, dates, orange juice, buttermilk, mashed ripe banana, butter, canola oil, vanilla, flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, eggs, cooking spray

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/whole-grain-bran-muffins (may not work)