CRUST:

2 1/4 cup flour, divided
1/4 cup water
pinch of salt
1 cup shortening

FILLING:

1/2 cup maple syrup, divided
3 lbs tart apples (8-9 medium), peeled & thinly sliced
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

TOPPING:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cold butter OR margarine
1 cup chopped pecans

in a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup flour & water until smooth; set aside. in a lg bowl, combine salt & remaining flour; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. add reserved flour mixture; knead gently until dough forms a ball. press dough onto the bottom & up the sides of an ungreased 15″x10″x1″ baking pan. spread 1/4 cup syrup over crust.  arrange apples over crust. combine sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla & remaining syrup; drizzle over apples.

for topping; combine flour & sugar in a bowl; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. stir in pecans. sprinkle over filling. bake at 350° for 1 hour or until apples are tender.

18-24 servings

NOTE: PASTRY CAN BE EASILY PRESSED INTO PAN BY PLACING A LARGE SHEET OF PLASTIC WRAP ON TOP OF THE DOUGH.