Leta's German Kuchen  (Crumb or Apple)

1/2 cup lukewarm (120-130°) whole milk
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp shortening
1 pkg dry yeast
1 egg yolk
1  3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp mace

Mix milk, sugar and salt together.  Add yeast and stir until disolved.  
Add egg yolk and melted and cooled or soft shortening.  Add flour to make 
a soft dough. Place in greased bowl, cover and let rise until 
doubled in bulk.  Place into a 9 inch round baking pan that has 
been well greased.  

Mix 1/3 cup each sugar and flour, 3 tbsp of butter, 1 tsp cinnamon
 and 1/2 cup of chopped nuts.  Sprinkle over kuchen.  Cover and let
rise until doubled in bulk.  Bake in a 400° oven for about 25 minutes.

For Apple Kuchen, add one sliced apple on the top (wedge slices 
into the dough before rising and before adding the
crumb topping.