Recipe: Tropical Treat Muffins

Tropical Treat Muffins
Servings 12

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (4 ounces) dried papaya, finely diced
1/2 cup coarsely chopped banana chips
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/4 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup sour cream
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease or paper-line 12 (2-1/2 inch) or 6 (4-inch) muffins cups. In large bowl, combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, lemon peel and salt. In small bowl, combine papaya, banana chips, nuts and coconut. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture until well coated. In another small bowl, combine milk, butter, sour cream and egg until blended. Stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in fruit mixture. Spoon into muffin cups. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over tops. Bake 15 to 20 minutes for regular-size muffins, 25 to 30 minutes for giant muffins or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan. Cool on wire rack.