Recipe: Cherry Chocolate Muffins

Kingston Chocolate Cherry Muffins

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbl baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp grated lemon rind
3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
1/2 cup slinered blanched almonds -- optional
1 cup drk.sweet cherries -- pitted and chopped
12 whole cherries
1 cup milk
1/3 cup veg oil
1/3 cup unsalted butter -- melted and cooled
1 lrg egg -- lightly beaten

In a bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the rind, chocolate chips, and almonds. Combine the mixture well and stir in the chopped cherries. In a small bowl whisk the milk, oil, butter and egg. Combine the milk mixture with the flour mixture, stirring just till moistened. Divide the batter among 12 well greased muffin cups. (Cups will be full) Press 1 whole
cherry lightly into the center of each muffin. Bake in center of preheated 400 degree oven for20-25 min. or till pale golden. Let cool in pan 1 min.