The Great Salt Lake...Utah

Our staycation continues and stops today in the state of Utah.  Home to the Great Salt Lake, Utah is known for it's Mormon population.  It is also recognized as the state with the highest literacy rate in America - impressive!    The largest public employer in Utah is the Utah State Government.  Believe it or not, Utah is home to the countries first department store!

Most of the facts we found about Utah had to do with nature in some form or fashion...here we go:  Utah is home to the world's larges natural-rock span, it' mountain peaks are the tallest in the country, it is home to five national parks, two national recreation areas and six national forests.  Seems like a great place to go and explore when the weather is a little nicer!

Mormon Muffins:

2 cups boiling water
5 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 quart buttermilk
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups All Bran Cereal
2 cups Bran Flakes Cereal
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Boil water in a large pot,

Add baking soda.

Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, add shortening,

Sugar,

Mix until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs slowly.  

Mix well.  

Add the buttermilk,

Flour and salt,

Mix again.  

Add the soda water very slowly.  Batter will be smooth.

In a very large bowl, add the All Bran,

Then, the Bran Flakes,

Finally, pour in the batter.

Gently fold mixture together.  This is where you would also add the walnuts - I left them out.

Pour into Tupperware containers and refrigerate over night.

In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Your batter will have thickened.

Grease (or paper line) muffin tins.

Drop batter in.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Let sit in pan for five minutes.

 

Cool on wire rack.

Enjoy with a glass of orange juice.  This batter yields 5 dozen muffins.  Eat a few, share a few, freeze a few!  The batter will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week.  Hope you are hungry!