• Note: If you want a truly delicate muffin with the best rise, rest your muffin batter in the fridge overnight before baking (as directed). You can bake directly after mixing, but the flavor will be somewhat less developed.

Mix Bran Soaker and Raisin Soaker

• In a medium bowl, mix your wheat bran, milk, creme fraiche, and eggs until well mixed, and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. In a separate bowl, cover your raisins with hot water, cover with a lid, and set aside. Let these soak for 30 minutes on the counter.

Mix Muffin Batter

• To your bran mixture, add your brown sugar and molasses, mixing until well combined.
• Drain the raisins, and add to the bran mixture.
• In a separate bowl, mix your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Carefully fold your wet mixture into your dry ingredients - it will be a thick batter. Do your best not to overmix. Cover the batter and set in your fridge for a few hours or overnight (you can skip this rest and still have good results, but it will improve the tenderness, flavor, and rise of your muffins).

Bake Muffins

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (~176°C). Grease a standard muffin tin or line with muffin liners (you can also do jumbo muffins, and simply increase the bake time).
• Spoon your batter into the 12 prepared muffin cups, filling nearly to the rim. This will feel like too much batter, especially with a paper liner, but trust the process - this is what gives the beautiful domed tops. If you prefer, you can make more, smaller muffins, but be sure to adjust the bake time down.
• Mix your topper ingredients (millet, pecans, sunflower seeds), and sprinkle across the tops of your muffins (about 1 Tbsp per muffin). If you prefer, you can forego this topping and just sprinkle with coarse sugar.
• Bake for 25-35 minutes (depending on the heat of your oven), until they are golden brown and the top of the muffins springs back when touched.
• Remove and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
• These are best eaten the day they are baked - preferably with butter and maybe even a little sprinkle of flaky salt. They also freeze wonderfully. You can reheat from frozen in a 300 degree (F) oven for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!