Honey Bran Muffins with Figs

ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups toasted wheat bran (about 1/2 cup)
• 3/4 cup chopped dried figs
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  2/3 cup whipped butter
  1/2 cup hydrogenated fat
  1/2 cup margarine
  1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk
  2 cups yogurt
  2 cups sour cream
  2 cups water & 1/2 cup buttermilk powder
  2 cups milk & 3 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  2 cups milk & 2 teaspoons vinegar/lemon juice

directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups with muffin papers. Stir flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl to blend. Combine bran and figs in another bowl, mix in 1 cup boiling water.

Beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in sugar, then honey. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in buttermilk alternately with flour mixture in 3 additions each. Mix in bran mixture. Divide batter among lined muffin cups.

Bake muffins until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Turn muffins out onto racks and cool completely.