![dark chocolate and nut studded morning muffins on a kitchen counter](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Paprika-Studios-California-Prunes-Recipes-1606-scaled-1.jpg)
Old Fashioned Morning Muffins
Imagine waking up to the enticing aroma of freshly baked Old-Fashioned Morning Muffins. Picture yourself taking that first bite, feeling the warm muffin in your hands and then tasting the nutty and sweet flavors. Sounds like a pretty fabulous way to start your day, don’t you think?
Morning Muffins – Inspired by a Prune Grower’s Family Recipe
This recipe was inspired by one of our California Prune growers, Ranvir Singh. After hearing about his grandmother’s top-secret Prune + Bran muffin recipe, we set off to create our own version of her heritage recipe for morning muffins.
![Ranvir Singh & son Ryan Dulai, Olivehurst, Sutter County, CA](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Needham-California-Prunes_5276-1024x683.jpg)
![a cupcake tin full of Old Fashioned Morning Muffins](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Paprika-Studios-California-Prunes-Recipes-1598-681x1024.jpg)
What’s in this recipe for Morning Muffins?
To recreate the Singh family recipe, we started with a hearty bran muffin base. Then, we jazzed up the recipe a bit with delicious add-ins like:
Chopped Prunes
Dark Chocolate
Pistachios
Try our version, then have some fun experimenting with different chocolate + nuts combos. Here are a few delicious ideas:
Walnut + Milk Chocolate
Pecan + White Chocolate
Note: Always include the chopped prunes – they add a wonderful natural sweetness that really enhances this recipe.
Morning Muffins: A Healthy Breakfast in About a Half Hour
Make a batch of Morning Muffins on the weekend, it only takes about a half hour. Then, you’ve got a delicious grab-and-go breakfast that’s perfect for busy mornings!
![morning muffins on a counter with one muffin broken in half to show the delicious interior of the muffin](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Paprika-Studios-California-Prunes-Recipes-1616-1024x681.jpg)
Once you try these morning muffins, you’ll probably want to try more heritage recipes. We have a feeling you’ll love our Old Fashioned Prune Cake!
![dark chocolate and nut studded morning muffins on a kitchen counter](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Paprika-Studios-California-Prunes-Recipes-1606-scaled-1-348x348.jpg)
Old Fashioned Morning Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups bran cereal or oat bran
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/3 cup California extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup California Prunes chopped
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup raw pistachios roughly chopped, and toasted, optional
- 1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate roughly chopped, optional
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, soak 1/2 cup (40 g) bran in boiling water. Set aside—once cooled, stir in the olive oil and egg.
- While the soaked bran is cooling, add the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine, then stir in the chopped prunes, breaking up any clumps.
- Combine the buttermilk and brown sugar in a small bowl, then fold into the flour mixture. Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups (150 g) bran, then add the soaked bran. Cover the batter and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375° F (190C). Grease two muffin tins or line them with paper cups that have been lightly greased.
- Give the batter a gentle stir. If you’re adding raw pistachios or chocolate, mix those in. Then scoop 1/4 cup (60 ml) of batter into each muffin cup.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven, place the pan on a cooling rack, and garnish with toasted pistachio. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove the muffins from the tin and serve!
Notes
More family recipes from California Prunes Growers:
Once you’ve mastered the Singh family’s Old Fashioned Morning Muffins, try these recipes from our growers:- Spaghetti Sauce from the Mariani Family
- Old Fashioned Prune Cake from the Mitchell Family
- Chewy Oatmeal Cookies from the Bozzo family
- Traditional Sugar Plums Candy from the Loquaci Family (via G-Free Foodie)
Nutrition
Love this recipe for Morning Muffins? Try these recipes next!
![a plate of Carrot Morning Glory Muffins from Eat the Love next to carrots and prunes](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/carrot-muffins-prunes-67-8373-e1695056262410.jpg)
Carrot Muffins with Prunes, Pecans and Sunflower Seeds
Our friend Irvin from Eat the Love drew inspiration from the classic Morning Glory Muffin and created this delicious riff – Carrot Muffins with Prunes, Pecans and Sunflower Seeds!
![a loaf of Raspberry Prune Bread with a few slices](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Raspberry-Prune-Bread-1280x0-c-default-e1695056812969-1024x906.webp)
Raspberry Prune Bread
By replacing some of the sugar with prune puree and adding fresh fruit, our friends at Bakes by Brown Sugar transformed this sweet treat into a healthy breakfast or snack that you can feel good about serving!
![Larger pumpkin muffins and pumpkin mini muffins on a place. recipe by leslie bonci](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Paprika-Studios-Prunes-Recipes-Plumpkins-3112-1024x683.jpg)
Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkin Muffins are a fall favorite – and adding prune puree to this classic recipe only enhances the flavor of this seasonal snack. Isn’t it great when healthy swaps turn out to be delicious?
![Prune Almond Energy Balls from Baking the Goods](https://californiaprunes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Prune-Almond-Energy-Balls-54-1024x683.jpg)
Prune Almond Energy Balls
Our friend Becky‘s Prune Almond Energy Balls are a delicious snack that tastes more like dessert!
Did you try this recipe? Maybe you’ve got a favorite recipe using California Prunes that you’d like to share with us? Snap a pic and share it on social using #caprunes.
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