Mary's Apple Cake

Ingredients

• About 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (3/8 lb.) plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 4 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples such as Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, or Newtown Pippin (about 1 1/4 lb. total)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. 1. In a food processor or bowl, mix 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. 2. Cut the 3/4 cup butter into small pieces and add to flour mixture. Whirl or cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture has texture of fine crumbs.
3. 3. Beat milk and egg to blend. Pour into flour mixture and whirl or stir with a fork just to evenly moisten. On a lightly floured board, knead dough briefly until it holds together.
4. 4. With floured hands, pat the dough evenly over bottom of a 9- by 13-inch pan and press edges up sides to form a slight ridge.
5. 5. Place apple slices, overlapping slightly, in 3 rows down the length of the dough.
6. 6. In a food processor or bowl, whirl or rub with your fingers the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup sugar, and cinnamon until mixture has texture of fine crumbs. Sprinkle over apples.
7. 7. Bake in the middle of a 350° oven until cake is browned, about 40 minutes. Cut into squares. Serve cake warm or cool.