ABC Muffins

Yield: 50 muffins

4 cups 5 +1 frozen tart cherries, thawed
1 ¹ /3 cups vegetable shortening
1 ¹ /3 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 ² /3 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, beaten
5 large bananas, mashed
7 cups all purpose flour
3 Tbsps. baking powder
2 tsps. salt

1. Have all ingredients at about 70°F. Measure out 2 ¹ /2 lbs. of cherries, then allow them to drain well. Discard juice or save for another use.
2. In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, combine shortening, applesauce and sugar; beat until creamy. Add eggs and bananas; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture in 3 part, mixing just until ingredients are moistened. Fold in cherries.
3. Portion batter with a No.16 dipper into well-greased muffin pans, filling each two-thirds full.
4. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 20-35 minutes, or until golden. Remove muffins from pans as soon as they are baked.

Recipe and photo from the Cherry Marketing Committee