Apple Bran Muffins

(This recipe yields 12 servings)
Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/4 cup wheat bran
• 1 large tart apple - peeled/cored and chopped into small pieces (should equal about 1 cup)
• 1 cup raisins (optional but strongly recommended)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup low-fat milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 Tbsp
  
  honey
• 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  

Directions:

1. Prepare 12 regular muffin cups with muffin papers or a light coating of cooking spray.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the bran, both flours, baking powder, nutmeg salt and cloves. Cut in the butter by hand until the texture is like wet-sand.
4. In a seperate bowl, beat the eggs. Add the milk, maple syrup and honey. Mix well.
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined and moistened.
6. Fold in apple pieces and raisins.
7. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
8. Sprinkle topping evenly over the muffins.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops begin to split. If a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out dry (no batter), the muffins are done.