Coconut Muffins

Credit: Aleta Young

Ingredients:

1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. vegetable or canola oil
1 egg
1/2 tsp coconut extract
3/4 c. flour
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 c. buttermilk (or soured milk)
1/4 c. flaked coconut
1/4 c. chopped walnuts (opt.)

Directions:

Cream together sugar, oil, egg, and flavoring in a medium bowl. Sift together dry ingredients.  Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to make a thick batter. Fold in remaining ingredients and spoon into greased or paper-lined muffin tins (2/3 full) or loaf pan. Bake muffins at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Bake loaf at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine 1/4 c. sugar, 2 Tbs water, and 2 Tbs butter in small saucepan. Simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1/2 tsp. coconut extract. Prick small holes in top of muffins with a toothpick, then pour hot syrup over the muffins.

Yield: 6-8 muffins or 1 medium loaf

Notes from Aleta:

• Baking time for 24 mini muffins is about 7 minutes (just check it with a toothpick to make sure).
• Rather than buying buttermilk, you can make soured milk. You'll need about 1/8 to 1/4 tsp lemon juice or vinegar (either apple cider or white should be fine) and milk to equal 1/4 c. Pour the lemon juice or cider into the measuring cup first and then top it off with milk.
• This recipe was made for high altitudes, so if you make it at a lower altitude (below 1000 feet) you'll need to increase both the baking soda and baking powder to 1/4 tsp each.

Luscious Lemon Bars

Credit: Teri Eastman

Crust Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Dash of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter, then add in the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix well. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Filling Ingredients:

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
6 T lemon juice, preferable fresh (which is 1/4 c + 2 T)

Beat eggs. Combine sugar and flour together, then add to the egg mixture. Mix well. Add lemon juice and mix again. Pour into slightly cooled crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely before sprinkling with powdered sugar and then place in the refrigerator to chill. Delicious and simple! Fresh lemon juice really makes this recipe stand out.