Cherry Bran Muffins

1/2 cup of light brown sugar
1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter
2 eggs
1/3 cup of mild molasses
1 1/4 cups of buttermilk
3/4 of a cup of wheat bran
1 1/3 cups of AP flour
2 tablespoons of white whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 tablespoons of sliced almonds
1 tablespoon of sugar in the raw
1 cup of dried chukar cherries
1 apple diced
1 grated small carrot

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients except the sliced almonds and sugar in the raw. Just mix until the mixture comes together. Do not over mix. You must use mild molasses for this recipe! Top the muffins with sliced almonds and sugar in the raw. Bake for 25 minutes. They are a great breakfast treat.