BASIC DOUGH:

3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. flour
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. baking powder

Mix thoroughly sugar, shortening and egg. Stir in milk. Sift flour and baking powder and stir in gradually. Spread thick batter in greased and floured 9 inch square pan or loaf pan. Add desired topping. Bake at 375 degrees F. until toothpick comes out clean (time varies with topping). Serve warm, fresh from the oven.

SUGGESTED TOPPINGS:

CINNAMON:

Sprinkle top with mixture of:

1/2 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

STRUDEL:

Mix:

1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tbsp. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. melted butter
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Spread half of batter in pan, spread half of strudel mixture, then remainder of batter and top with remainder of strudel mixture.

FRUIT:

Sprinkle top with mixture of:

1/3 c. finely diced, moist candied fruit
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 tbsp. sugar

APPLE:

Press sliced apples (canned or raw) in fancy design into top of batter.

Sprinkle with mixture of:

1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. sugar
Handful of red cinnamon candies

Can also be topped with crust mixture.

CRUMB MIXTURE:

Coarse mixture of:

1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. butter

Almost any fruit can be pressed into batter then topped with crumb mixture.