Bran Muffins

I recently discovered my kids love bran muffins.  I made them for them to snack on, an they devoured them.  

Here's the recipe.  It's super easy. 

3 cups bran

1 cup water

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 eggs (beaten)

2 cups buttermilk

Boil water and add 1 cup bran.  Stir and set as side to cool for about 3-5 minutes. Add butter to melt.  Mix in brown sugar.  Mix in eggs. 

Mix flour, 2 cups bran, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl.  Add buttermilk (don't stir). 

Combine wet bran mix, with flour/milk ingredients. 

Put in muffin cups and bake 400° for 15 minutes.

Makes 35-40 muffins (depending on the size)

Brent's Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

My husband likes a flat and crispy, yet still chewy, chocolate chip cookie.  He came up with this recipe, and it's become a favorite in our house. 

Brent's Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

1 stick butter; softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 egg

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup walnuts; chopped

1/2 cup Gheridelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven 350°

Whip butter until light and fluffy.  Add in brown sugar and whip until mixed and light. 

Mix flour, salt, and baking soda together. 

Slowly add to sugar mixture. 

Add egg and vanilla extract.  Mix until combined. 

Fold in walnuts and chocolate chips. 

Drop onto greased cookie sheet (a silpat baking mat is recommended) by tablespoon. You want a lot of space between the cookies.  You can get 8-10 per batch. 

Bake 10 minutes, or until golden brown. 

Let them sit 3-4 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.  Otherwise they will smash into itself and fall apart if moved when too hot. 

**These are also really good if you add 1/4-1/2 cup shredded coconut to the mixture.**