Banana-Bran Muffins

This is a Williams-Sonoma recipe - completely delicious.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup wheat bran
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Butter standard muffin tins.

In a medium bowl stir and toss together the flour, bran, baking soda, salt, and nuts.  Set aside.  In another medium bowl beat together the banana and butter until completely mixed (mixture will be lumpy) then add the brown sugar and egg and beat until completely mixed.  Add the combined dry ingredients and stir just until blended.

Spoon into prepared muffin tins, filling each cup about three-quarters full.  Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 15-20 minutes.  Cool in the tins for 5 minutes, then remove.

Makes about 12 standard muffins.