Cream Cheese Filled Bran Muffin

Muffins:
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup bran cereal (not flakes, I use All-Bran)
3/4 cup raisins or chopped dates, optional
3 TBS butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, partially beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/4 cups flour
1-1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup bran flakes

Filling:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened (low-fat works fine)
2 TBS sugar
1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 400℉. Grease or line a muffin tin with cupcake papers.

2. Pour boiling water over bran cereal and raisins/dates if using; allow to stand for 5 minutes.

3. While waiting mix cream cheese, sugar and egg together for filling. Set aside.

4. In cereal mixture stir in melted butter, buttermilk, egg, and sugar; mix well. Stir in flour baking soda, and salt. Add bran flakes and stir until just combined.

5. Place approximately 1 tablespoon batter in bottom of prepared muffin tins; gently spread batter over bottom of cup.

6. Spoon approximately 2 tsp. prepared filling in each cup. Cover filling with additional muffin batter to fill cup approximately 3/4 full.

7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until done.

Makes about 12 muffins.