You can use bran buds or flakes or a combination of the two.

6 cups bran cereal
2 cups boiling water
1 cup shortening, melted
3 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 qt. buttermilk
5 cups all purpose flour
5 teas. baking soda
2 teas. salt Optional:  dates, raisins, apple

6 cup s bran cereal 2 cup s boiling water 1 cup shortening, melted 3 cup s sugar 4 eggs, beaten 1 qt. buttermilk 5 cup s all purpose flour 5 teas. baking soda 2 teas. salt Optional:  dates, raisins, apple

Pour boiling water over 2 cups bran cereal and let stand while assembling other ingredients.  Mix rest of bran with shortening, sugar, eggs and buttermilk.  Sift flour with soda and salt.  Combine all ingredients and bake as needed at 400 for 20 minutes in greased muffine tins. Mixture can be kept in air tight container in refrigerator for up to six weeks.