2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
3/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening or lard
1 lemon
1/2 cup ice cold water
6 to 7 apples
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dark raisins or currants (optional)
1/4 cup dried cranberries, apricots or blueberries (optional)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp. granulated sugar

Preparation Time 40 minutes
Baking Time 1 hour and 20 minutes
Standing Time 30 minutes

Makes 8 to 10 Slices

From Linda's Kitchen
 

1. Place oven rack in lowest position and preheat oven to 425 degree.  Peel, core, and slice apples into 1/2" wedges. You should have about 8 cups. Place in a large bowl. Stir 1/3 cup sugar with 1/4 cup flour and cinnamon. Stir into apples along with raisins and cranberries. Toss well.  Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface and line a 9" pie plate, leaving 1/2" overhang.  Do not prick.  Place apple mixture in pastry shell and drizzle with maple syrup.

2. Roll out top crust.  Place on top of apple filling.  Trim edges, leaving 1" overhang.  Fold top edge under bottom edge and crimp.  Cut 2 or 3 small slits in top of pie to allow steam to escape.  Sprinkle top crust with 1 tablespoon sugar.  Place pie on bottom rack in oven. Bake for 10 minutes.  Without opening door, turn oven down to 350 degrees.  Continue baking until crust is golden, apples are tender and juices bubble, about 1 hour and 10 minutes more.  Cool on a rack at least 30 minutes before serving.

3. In a large bowl, stir 2 1/2 cups flour with 2 tablespoons sugar, nutmeg and salt.  Cut shortening into cubes and work into flour until coarse crumbs form. Finely grate 2 teaspoons lemon peel.  Sprinkle over flour mixture and stir until evenly distributed.  Squeeze out 1 tablespoon lemon juice and stir with cold water. Make a well in flour mixture and pour in lemon water mixture. Stir just until dough forms a ball.  Divide into 2 parts.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate while preparing apples or until ready to use, or up to 1 week.