Bran Muffins

2 cups boiling water
2 cups "All Bran" cereal (looks like twigs)

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 quart buttermilk

5 cups flour
5 tsp soda
1 tsp salt

4 cups dry bran ceral
raisins and nuts optional

topping:
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
2 Tbl corn syrup
pecan halves

1. Stir together bran and water and allow to sit while mixing other ingredients.

2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Add buttermilk and mix. Stir in warm bran mixture that was set aside.

3. Combine flour, soda and salt. Add to bran mixture with 4 cups of dry bran cereal. Raisins and nuts may be added if desired.

4. This "dough" keeps in the refrigerator for several weeks.

5. To bake, mix brown sugar, butter and corn syrup together. Pour a few teaspoons in the bottom of muffin tins and press pecan halves into this topping. Pour muffin mixture over these and bake at 400* for 20 minutes.