Raisin & Date Bran Muffins

Preheat oven to 400
Prepare pans by lining with paper cups or greasing

Zest orange and set aside.

In a medium sauce pan, heat orange juice to just simmering. Add dates, raisins, butter, honey, brown sugar and applesauce. Cook , stirring constantly until butter is melted. Remove pan  from the heat and let mixture sit till only slightly warm.

In a  mixing bowl, combine flours, bran,salt, orange zest, baking soda and cinnamon. In another bowl beat eggs and  buttermilk together.

Add all wet ingredients to flour mixture and mix gently with a wooden spoon just until all dry ingredients are incorporated. Using an ice cream scoop, place I scoop batter in each cup.Sprinkle tops with dry oatmeal or nuts if desired.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool muffins on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.