CRUST:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup vegetable shortening
up to 5 tbsp. ICE water
and some extra cornstarch for rolling surface (not flour)

In a large bowl mix flour, salt and cornstarch. Cut in shortening with a fork until it looks like coarse bread crumbs. Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is sticky and can't be balled up. Roll onto corn-starched counter top and knead a few times, cut in half, roll into two balls, wrap in shrink wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

FILLING:

3 red delicious apples
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tbsp. cinnamon
1 cup water, divided
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tbsp. light corn syrup (Karo)
2 tbsp. pure vanilla

Peel and core three red delicious apples and chop into small square-ish pieces (about 1-inch squares) and put them into a saucepan with the sugar, cinnamon and about 3/4 cup of water. The mixture will cook for about five minutes and thicken (stir frequently) at that point you will add the corn syrup, vanilla and a slurry of cornstarch mixed with the remaining 1/4 cup water. Let that cook down until the apples have shrunken a little and are very tender, the sauce should be almost caramel like.

ASSEMBLY:

This dough is difficult to roll so I just put one of the balls directly into the pan and mold it in there. Bake the bottom part for about 10 minutes at 350°F (doesn't need to be cooked, just partially) and fill the pan with the contents of the saucepan. Then you roll out the second ball to about a 1/3-inch thickness and use a pizza cutter (or knife) to cut strips and lay them randomly on top of the filling, if the dough allows you to do a lattice, do it, otherwise it doesn't matter because it all ends up looking the same anyway.

TOPPING:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. confectioners' sugar

After you finish putting the top on it brush the dough with melted butter, sprinkle a little granulated sugar and cinnamon on top and bake at 350°F for about an hour, or until golden brown. Top with a shaking of confectioners sugar and let sit for about and hour before serving.

Submitted by: Jackie Ybarra