Original Cookbook Name: The Black Family Reunion Cookbook
Published By: National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
Year of Publication: 1991
Page Number: 9
Author / Contributor: Mae Louise Mays, Wife of Willie Mays, Baseball Player
This wholesome muffin recipe comes from Mae Louise Mays, wife of Willie Mays, one of the most celebrated athletes in American history. By sharing this family favorite in The Black Family Reunion Cookbook, Mae Louise contributes not only a nutritious, fiber-rich breakfast option, but also a glimpse into Black family life grounded in wellness, love, and legacy. Bran muffins, long embraced for their health benefits, represent the intersection of practical nourishment and everyday care—a key value in African American homes. With options to add fruit or natural sweeteners like honey, this recipe aligns with a generational emphasis on eating well to live well.
Ingredients (As Written in the Book)
- 1 cup natural bran
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup skim milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons natural honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Favorite fruit (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease twelve medium (2½-inch) muffin cups or use paper or foil liners.
- Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Stir just until blended. Add favorite fruit, if desired. Spoon into muffin cups.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Editor’s Note: Try folding in chopped apples, blueberries, or raisins for extra flavor and texture. Muffins can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Historical Insight
Recipes like this one demonstrate the way Black women shaped family health culture behind the scenes. Mae Louise Mays’ contribution reflects a quiet but powerful tradition of using accessible, natural ingredients to promote well-being. Whole grains, bran, and honey all point to nutritional consciousness that predates today’s wellness trends. The simplicity of this recipe also reflects the efficient, nourishing home cooking that became essential during the civil rights era and beyond, when time, health, and legacy all intersected at the kitchen table.
