Golden Delicious apple crumb pie

Golden Delicious apples were first grown in West Virginia and became a staple for many local recipes. This pie is a classic dessert that combines the sweet and tangy flavors of fresh apples with a flaky, buttery crust.

To prepare the pie crust, combine 1 1/4 cups of alll-purpose flour and a salt in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender, mix in 1/3 cup of chilled butter with a back-and-forth motion until the mixture resembles small peas.

Gradually sprinkle 1 tablespoon of water over part of the mixture, gently tossing with a fork. Repeat with another tablespoon of water, then one more time. If the dough remains crumbly, add an additional 1/2 tablespoon of water.

Form the dough into a ball with your hands. On a lightly floured surface, flatten the dough and roll it out with a rolling pin, always rolling from the center to the edges, until you have a 12-inch circle.

Roll the dough onto the rolling pin and unroll it over the pie pan, pressing the dough into place. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edge of the pan. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Stir in the apple slices and vanilla extract, then add the filling to the pie crust.

For the crumb topping, mix 1/2 cup of flour and the brown sugar in another medium bowl. Use a pastry blender to cut 2 tablespoons of butter into the flour and sugar until the mixture resembles small peas. Sprinkle the topping over the pie.

Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Loosely cover the edges of the pie with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.