Place the bran in a bowl and stir in the boiling water. Set aside.

Cream the butter with the brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and molasses and beat until well blended. Add the wheat bran and beat until combined.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, oats, cinnamon, orange zest, salt, baking soda and powder.   

In a small bowl combine the milk and buttermilk.

Add the flour mixture, alternately with the wet ingredients, to the bran mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Cover and place the batter in the refrigerator until chilled (several hours or even overnight). 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and place the rack in the center of the oven. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners or else spray with a nonstick vegetable spray.

Fill the muffin cups, using two spoons or an ice cream scoop, about 3/4 full and bake about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

Makes 14 - 16 standard-sized muffins.