Pineapple-Cheese Sourdough Muffins

I have in my notes this recipe was "great". I remember how good they were and it was back in the '80s. I am a sucker for anything with cheese, or pineapple for that matter. The smell that fills the house while they bake is amazing. The recipe takes 1/2 cup of sourdough starter which should be removed from the refrigerator a few minutes before using. This recipe makes 15 to 18 muffins.

1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (3 oz)
1 egg
1/2 cup sourdough starter
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup crushed pineapple
1/2 cup milk

Grease 18 muffin cups or line with paper liners. Preheat oven to 375F. In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Stir in cheese until evenly distributed. In a medium bowl, beat the egg. Stir in sourdough starter, oil, pineapple with juice and milk. Add to flour mixture. Stir with a fork until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 to 3/4 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from muffin cups. Serve hot.

Apricot Nut Bread

I am on an apricot theme wishing for Summertime. The next best thing is using dried apricots for that intense flavor explosion. I've had this clipping for years; not sure where it came from.

1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons soft shortening
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup orange juice
4 teaspoons grated orange rind
3 cups sifted flour
3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped nuts
1 cup finely chopped dried apricots

Mix sugar, shortening and egg. Stir in milk, orange juice, and grated orange rind. Sift together and stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Blend in nuts and apricots. Pour into well greased loaf pan. Let stand 20 minutes before baking. Bake about 70 minutes at 350 degrees.

Holiday Orange Slice Cake

This is an old family recipe that we always had around Holiday time. As a child, I really liked this cake. It is similar to a fruitcake, although this one actually tastes good, and there are no green bits to pick out!

2 cups chopped dates
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups boiling water
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3-1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts(pecans, walnuts)
1 cup chopped orange slice candy(like sugared gummy bears only shaped like orange slices)

Combine baking soda, boiling water and chopped dates, and let stand. Cream the butter and sugar, then add eggs. Add the date mixture. Beat well. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Beat, then add nuts. Add the chopped orange candies, mix carefully. Bake in 2 greased loaf pans at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Wrap in foil to keep fresh or deliver to a friend.