Platz

This is another Mennonite recipe I grew up with and it is a little taste of home each time I make it. Platz is German for coffee cake and is a traditional Mennonite dessert; the name doesn't sound very appetizing, but let me tell you, platz is de-li-cious! This is a great dessert for any time of the year, but is especially delicious in summertime when all the local berries and fruit are in season. Some flavours that are especially yummy are blueberry platz, rhubarb platz, or strawberry rhubarb platz. You really cannot go wrong! Serve with vanilla ice cream, whip cream, or just on its own (it's that good!). There are many variations for the cake, but this is the way I grew up eating platz. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 cup flour

• 1 cup sugar

• ¾ cup margarine (room temperature)

Make a crumb mixture with hands.  Put 1 ¼ cup aside for topping.

Add:

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 1 egg, beaten

• ¾ cup buttermilk (add lemon juice to milk)

Method

1. Beat egg in 1 cup measuring cup and fill with buttermilk to top.

2. Stir into dry ingredients.

3. Spread into greased 9 X 13 pan.

4. Sprinkle with 2 cups blueberries and crumb mixture.

5. Bake on top oven rack at 375 degrees for 30 – 40 minutes.

6. Test for doneness with a toothpick.