Canadian Mennonite Plum Custard Kuchen

A tea-biscuit base with neat rows of plums surrounded by custard--this is a delicious dessert.

1 1/3 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup margarine or shortening
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
Plums, pitted and halved

TOPPING:

1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

CUSTARD:

1 beaten egg
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk or yogurt
1/3 cup sugar

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in margarine. Beat egg and milk and stir into mixture. Pat the dough over the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan. Arrange nicely in rows enough pitted plums to completely cover the dough. Sprinkle topping over the plums. Bake at 400 F. for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile mix custard ingredients. Take the kuchen out of the oven, drizzle the custard mixture over the plums, and return it to the oven. Reduce heat to 350 F. and bake for another 30 minutes. Serve warm.