In a large mixing bowl, pour boiling water over 1/2 cup bran cereal. Whisk in oil and set aside. In another bowl, whisk to combine egg, sugar and buttermilk.
To the wet bran mixture, add sifted flour, baking soda, salt and remaining dry cup of bran cereal. Add the wet buttermilk mixture to bran mixture and stir to combine.
Stir in pumpkin or pumpkin butter, nuts and raisins. Mix thoroughly to incorporate completely.
Scoop into 12 muffin (paper lined), or greased muffin pan or baking stoneware and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.
Remove from oven and drizzle with honey (optional) and let cool. Serve as is or with butter.
Notes
If substituting Libby's 100% pure pumpkin for pumpkin butter, add an extra 1/4 cup sugar to this recipe. You could also substitute apple butter for pumpkin butter.