Bran Muffins

From the cookbook Remedies for the "I Don't Cook Syndrome"

2 cups boiling water
2 cups 100% bran cereal
1 cup plus 2 T shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 quart buttermilk
4 cups All Bran cereal
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
5 tsp baking soda

Heat oven to 400. Pou boiling water over 100% bran cereal in a med bowl. Let stand while creaming together shortening and sugar in a very large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, and both bran cereals. Mix together flour, salt, and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to bran mix. Fold in any ingredients that you want (nuts, cranberries, raisins).
Fill sprayed muffin cups 2/3 full bake at 400 for 15-18min.

*Mix may be stored in fridge covered up to 6 weeks.