Caramel Apple Crumb Pie

This is a variation on the classic apple pie featuring a rich caramel syrup drizzled over the apples and a crunchy streusel topping











Ingredients:
Crust:
1 cu all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon chilled butter cut into small pieces
2 tablespoon vegetable shortening
3 tablespoon plus 1/2 teas ice water
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
Butter-flavored cooking spray

Filling:
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
9 cups sliced peeled Granny Smith Apples (about 2 3/4 lbs)
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Struesel Topping:
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons chilled butter cut into small pieces
1/4 cup fat-free caramel sundae syrup

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°.

1. To prepare crust, lightly spoon 1 cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 1 cup flour and salt in a bowl; cut in 2 tablespoons butter and shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle surface with ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time; add vinegar. Toss with a fork until moist and crumbly (do not form a ball).
2. Press mixture gently into a 4-inch circle on heavy-duty plastic wrap; cover with additional plastic wrap. Roll dough, still covered, to a 12-inch circle. Freeze 10 minutes or until plastic wrap can be easily removed.
3. Remove 1 sheet of plastic wrap; fit dough into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Remove top sheet of plastic wrap. Fold edges under; flute. Line bottom of dough with a piece of foil; arrange pie weights (or dried beans) on foil. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or until the edge is lightly browned. Remove pie weights and foil; cool on a wire rack.
4. To prepare filling, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and cinnamon. Add sugar mixture and apples to skillet; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in 3 tablespoons flour and lemon juice. Spoon into prepared crust.
5. To prepare topping, lightly spoon 1/4 cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and 1/4 cup brown sugar in a bowl; cut in 2 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.
6. Drizzle syrup over apple mixture; sprinkle topping over syrup. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until apples are tender. Cool on a wire rack. 

Yield: 10 servings (serving size: 1 wedge)

Nutritional Information:  Cals 277, Fat 8.4g, Sat Fat 4.2g, Carb 50.1g,
Fiber 2.4g, Cholesterol 16mg, Sodium 109mg, Calcium 33mg