Cheese Spice Gems

"Cast iron muffin pans used to be called gem pans, so even today muffins are sometimes called 'gems.'"--Ronnie

2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ginger [ground]
1/2 cup BUTTERMILK
1/4 cup BUTTER, melted (1/2 stick)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg, well beaten
1 cup shredded Cheddar CHEESE
1/4 cup chopped raisins or dates, if desired

BUTTER medium-sized muffin pans and preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ginger. Stir molasses and BUTTERMILK into beaten egg; then add to dry ingredients along with BUTTER, CHEESE, and raisins. Mix only until flour is moistened. Fill muffin pans about 2/3 full. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.

Makes 14 to 16 muffins. [Note: Most muffin tins bake 6 or 12. However, you can bake the extra batter using custard cups in addition to the muffin tin or use a 6-portion tin with water half filling three of the cups.]

[clipped from the pocket of a kitchen calendar which was apparently promoting dairy products]