Ingredients

• 8 -9 inches pie plate
• 1 cup white flour or 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 5 tablespoons solid shortening
• 5 tablespoons cold water
• 1 cup white flour
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 3/4 cup cold water

Instructions

1. preheat oven to 375 degrees -- prepare one pie crust with the flour of choice. cut in the shortening and add water, stirring with a fork until a damp ball of dough forms. handle as little as possible, turning out onto a floured surface. roll to size of pie plate and crimp edge of crust. set aside.

2. combine 1 cup of flour, sugar, and butter to create a fluffy crumb, reserving 1/2 a cup for topping. pour all but the reserved crumbs into the unbaked crust.

3. using a large bowl, stir the beaten egg into the molasses. add baking soda to hot water, stir well and add to molasses/egg mixture -- this will 'foam' . you'll be glad for the large bowl.

4. add remaining cold water and pour the well-blended mixture over the crumbs. do not stir. sprinkle reserved crumbs lightly over center of pie.

5. bake for 35-40 minutes in preheated oven.