APPLE PLATZ

Steps:

• Grease a 9-inch square cake pan and set aside. FOR THE DOUGH: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. In a separate bowl, beat egg; drizzle over dry ingredients and toss together with a fork to make coarse crumbs. Scoop out 1 cup and reserve. Sprinkle milk over remaining crumbs; stir together to make a soft dough. Use a little more milk if necessary to achieve this consistency. Spread into prepared pan. FILLING: Combine apples, lemon peel and juice in a large bowl. Add sugar, flour and salt and toss together. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and mix in butter. Stir into apple mixture. Pour over platz base in pan. Sprinkle reserved crumbs over fruit filling. Bake at 350 F. for 50 to 60 minutes or until the platz has risen evenly, the crumbs have take on a golden tinge and a skewer inserted in the filling in the centre of the pan comes out clean. Let cool in the pan; best served within a day or two.