Potluck Apple Pie

Crust:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour, divided

1/4 cup water

Pinch salt

1 cup shortening

Filling:

1/2 cup maple syrup, divided

3 pounds tart apples (8-9 medium) peeled and thinly sliced

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup cold butter

1 cup chopped pecans

In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup flour and water until smooth; set aside. In a large bowl, combine salt and remaining flour; cut in shortening until crumbly. Add remaining flour mixture; knead gently until dough forms a ball. Press dough into the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan.

Spread 1/4 cup syrup over crust. Arrange apples over syrup. combine sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla and remaining syrup; drizzle over apples.

For topping, combine flour and sugar in a bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. sprinkle over filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until apples are tender.

Yield: 18-24 servings.