Step 1

Preheat oven to 400º F.

Step 2

Optional: place pie crust in pie dish and par-bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk together molasses and hot water, then stir in baking soda and salt. Let cool slightly, then, while stirring continuously, whisk in lightly beaten egg. (If mixture is too hot, egg could curdle when added.) Pour mixture into cooled crust.

Step 4

In another large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar and cinnamon, then cut in cold butter until mixture is coarse and has the consistency of small pebbles. Sprinkle topping over filling; you might not be able to see filling since there’s a fair amount of topping, which is okay.

Step 5

Place pie in oven and bake for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 350º F and bake for another 30, or until filling has set.