Step 1

In medium bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening using pastry blender, until mixture forms pea-size chunks. Sprinkle with water, one tablespoon at a time. Toss lightly with fork until dough forms ball.

Step 2

Wrap in plastic wrap, flatten slightly into a disk, and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Roll out onto a lightly flour surface into a circle about 2 inches wider than pie pan; place crust into a 9 inch deep-dish pie pan, crimp edges as desired. If using a regular depth pie pan, build your crust edges up high when crimping.

Step 4

Line un-baked pie crust with heavy-duty foil. Bake at 350 F degrees for 10 minutes. Remove foil, brush crust with beaten egg yolk. Bake 5 minutes longer, cool on wire rack.

Step 5

In a mixing bowl, place the 1 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg; combine well with fork or spoon to eliminate lumps.

Step 6

Add the 2 Tablespoons butter and 2 Tablespoons shortening to the bowl (or the 1/4 cup fat of your choice) and, using a fork, pastry blender, or your fingers, combine to make fairly fine crumbs.

Step 7

In another mixing bowl or 4 cup glass measuring cup, place the 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons all purpose flour listed for the liquid filling. Blend the dry ingredients together with a fork or spoon to help eliminate clumps.

Step 8

Next, add the 1/2 cup unsulphured baking molasses, the beaten egg, and the 1 teaspoon vanilla to the dry mixture; blend together well, using a spoon or whisk making sure the dry ingredients are mixed in.

Step 9

Add the 1 cup boiling water to the molasses mixture, SLOWLY streaming it in while stirring or whisking to avoid curdling the raw egg, Stir or whisk until well blended. The mixture will appear "foamy" at this point.

Step 10

Place pie pan with unbaked crust on a baking sheet large enough to catch any drips or spills, then pour all of the molasses mixture carefully into the pie shell.

Step 11

Using your fingers or a spoon, sprinkle the entire bowl of crumbs evenly on top of the liquid filling in the crust; pay attention to getting some crumbs right up to the edge of the pie crust as well.

Step 12

Place the tray with the filled crust carefully into the oven. Bake 375 F degrees about 35 to 40 minutes. Pie will "puff" while baking, but will firm up and settle some as it cools.

Step 13

Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled. Pie can be stored on the counter for 3 days, refrigerate leftovers after that time.