Fairy Tale Apple Pie

Directions

1. 1
   To make crust: Preheat oven to 400-degrees F.
2. 2
   Mix butter, flour and salt with pastry blender or two knifes until it is crumbly and consistency of fine meal.
3. 3
   Cut in shortening until it resembles peas.
4. 4
   Add ice water and mix with pastry blender until it holds together.
5. 5
   Form into ball, divide in half and refrigerate.
6. 6
   Roll one half of dough into a large circle--large enough to overlap a 9-inch pie pan.
7. 7
   Place pastry in bottom of pie pan.
8. 8
   Dot with remaining tablespoon of butter and 2 teaspoons of flour.
9. 9
   Roll out top crust in same manner between sheets of plastic wrap.
10. 10
    Refrigerate both while making filling.
11. 11
    To make filling: Peel, core and slice apples.
12. 12
    Put apples in bowl and add sugar and cinnamon.
13. 13
    Toss.
14. 14
    Let stand until sugar dissolves.
15. 15
    Optional: if apples are dry add juice of one lemon.
16. 16
    Add vanilla.
17. 17
    Stir to mix well.
18. 18
    Add flour and toss.
19. 19
    Pour filling into pie shell and dot with butter.
20. 20
    Cover with top crust, crimping edges.
21. 21
    Make slashes in top crust and brush with egg wash.
22. 22
    Tent with foil and bake for 1-1/2 hours, removing foil during last 5 minutes of baking.
23. 23
    To make (optional) caramel-rum sauce: Melt sugar in saucepan over med-high heat until sugar is melted and light brown.
24. 24
    Add butter one tablespoon at a time until melted.
25. 25
    Turn off heat.
26. 26
    Add cream, salt, vanilla and rum (or other liquor if using).
27. 27
    To serve: Drizzle pie slices with caramel-rum sauce and vanilla ice-cream.