Makes 12 medium-sized muffins; preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

1 c. whole bran cereal
1 1/4 c. milk
1 c. finely chopped peeled tart apples
1 1/4 c. flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. ginger or cardamom
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 c. oil

Combine the bran cereal with the milk in a medium-sized bowl. Let stand until the cereal is softened and the milk is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Add the chopped apple and mix well. Stir in the flour, baking powder, spice, salt and sugar. Add the egg and oil and stir until well mixed.

Spoon the batter into a well greased or paper-cup-lined muffin tin. Bake for 25 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned, and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Serve hot with butter. 12 regular muffins makes 4 Texas muffins.