Crumbly Apple Pie

A buttery brown sugar topping is a fabulous variation on this classic American apple pie.

45 Minutes Preparation
30 Minutes Chilling
35 Minutes Baking


Ingredients
*Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening
1/4 cup ice water
*Filling
7 medium Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, or Gravenstein apples, peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
*Topping
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces

Preparation
*Place oven rack on lowest position. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
*To prepare crust, in a medium bowl, mix together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut shortening into flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.
*Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until a dough forms. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
*On a floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 12-inch circle, Fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Trim excess dough, leaving a 1-inch overhang; make a decorative edge.
*To prepare filling, mix together all ingredients. Spoon into crust.
*To prepare topping, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, and nutmeg. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut butter into brown sugar mixture until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle apples evenly with topping.
*Bake pie until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbly, 35 minutes. If pie is overbrowning, cover loosely with aluminum foil. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.