Heat oven to 350F (175C). Butter a
baking dish about 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches (23 x 15 x 3.75cm). Combine
cornstarch and sugar thoroughly in top of double boiler. Stir in
lemon rind and juice. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in boiling water
gradually. Set over simmering water and cook until thick and smooth,
stirring constantly. Cool.
Sift flour, baking powder and salt
into a bowl. Add brown sugar, bread crumbs and coconut. Add butter
and mix, first with a fork then with fingers, until a crumbly
mixture is formed. Put a little more than half of this mixture in
the prepared pan. Pack down firmly. Peel, core and slice apples
thin, spreading them evenly over the mixture in the baking pan.
Spread lemon mixture over the apples. Sprinkle top with remaining
crumb mixture. Bake 40-45 minutes. Serve warm with cream or ice
cream or cold with whipped cream.
