How To make Sierra Nevada Gems

20 California dried figs
-- stewed, unsweetened 2 c Sifted all-purpose flour
4 1/2 ts Baking powder
2 tb Sugar
1 ts Salt
2 Eggs
1/3 c Shortening; melted
3/4 c Milk (about)
Butter muffin pans generously. Snip stems off stewed figs and place figs in mixing bowl. Beat them hard, until whirled into small bits. Sift flour, measure and sift again with baking powder, sugar and salt. Add dry ingredients to figs and mix lightly. Add eggs, shortening and milk, and stir together until just mixed. Fill muffin pans half full. Bake in hot oven (400 F.) for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Source: 48 Family Favorites with California Figs Reprinted with the permission of The California Fig Advisory Board Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias