MAKE THE PASTRY: In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment fitted, beat the butter, sugar, egg, salt and lemon zest until well combined. Sift over the flour and baking powder and stir gently to form a soft dough. If the dough is very wet or sticky, add a little flour, 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is smooth and supple. Wrap in clingfilm and chill while you prepare the plums.
PREPARE THE PLUMS: Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas 4. Wash the plums, halve them and remove the stones. Take the dough from the fridge and roll out on a piece of lightly floured baking paper to the size of your baking dish, I suggest approx. 25cm x 35cm or a ¼ sheet pan.
LAYER THE PLUMS: Use the baking paper to lift the dough into the baking dish, sprinkle over the breadcrumbs, then arrange the plums on top. The technique is to cut a slit through the middle of each plum half from base to stem end leaving them just barely attached. Line the plums up in rows, resting each new row vertically on the last. See pictures if you are unsure.
BAKE: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the plums are golden yellow and slightly scorched and the pastry is firm. Meanwhile, make the cinnamon sugar by stirring the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
DUST WITH CINNAMON SUGAR: When the Zwetschgendatschi is cooked, remove from the oven and sprinkle over the cinnamon sugar.
SERVE: Allow to cool then slice and serve with plenty of whipped cream.
