Cherry Sourdough Coffee Cake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup margarine or butter
• 1/2 cup Sourdough Starter (see recipe, opposite)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Cherry Filling
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Mix the 1 1/2 cups flour, the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in 1/2 cup margarine till mixture resembles fine crumbs.
2. Mix Sourdough Starter, egg, and vanilla; add to flour mixture. Stir just till moistened. Spread half of the batter in a greased 9x9x2-inch baking pan. Spread Cherry Filling atop. Drop remaining batter in small mounds over filling. Mix oats, brown sugar, nuts, and the 3 tablespoons flour. Cut in 1/4 cup margarine till mixture resembles coarse crumbs; sprinkle over batter. Bake in a 350° oven for 35 to 40 minutes or till golden. Serves 9.
3. Cherry Filling: Bring 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened pitted tart red cherries to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch; add to cherry mixture. Cook and stir till bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Cool completely.