Taya's Apple Pie with Spiced Crust

For the crust:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup cold butter (1 stick), cubed
1 egg, beaten
2-3 tablespoons cold water

For the filling:
8 Granny Smith apples, cored and thinly sliced
Juice and zest from 1 lemon
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter

To make the crust:
In the bowl of a stand mixer or food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder and sea salt. Add the butter and mix for a bit, then add the egg. Mix a bit. Add in the water and mix until just barely combined-the mixture should still be crumbly. Add more water if needed. Combine into a ball and let rest while you make the filling. Refrigerate the dough if the kitchen is warm.

To make the filling:
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 10-15 minutes, just to soften the apples some.  Set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place a cookie sheet in the oven to cook the pie on. The cookie sheet will help cook the bottom crust.

Divide the dough in half, one half being slightly larger than the other. Use the larger half for the bottom crust. Using two sheets of wax paper, roll out the dough between them. Place in a pie pan and form the bottom. Pour the filling into the pie carefully and even out the top. Now roll out the top crust. Place on top, pinching the edges together and trimming any dough hanging over the edge.

Bake on the hot cookie sheet in the oven for just under an hour, the crust will be a dark brown due to the spices, but don't let it burn. Allow to sit for 15 minutes to cook a bit. Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!