Ingredients
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt1-1/4 cups cold lard6 to 8 tablespoons cold 2% milkFILLING:2-1/2 cups sugar1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground ginger9 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (about 9 medium)1 tablespoon bourbon, optional2 tablespoons all-purpose flourDash salt3 tablespoons cold butter, cubedTOPPING:1 tablespoon 2% milk2 teaspoons coarse sugar
Preparation
In a large bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in lard until crumbly. Gradually add milk, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
For filling, in a large bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon and ginger. Add apples and toss to coat. Cover; let stand 1 hour to allow apples to release juices, stirring occasionally.
Drain apples, reserving syrup. Place syrup and, if desired, bourbon in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until mixture thickens slightly and turns a medium amber color, 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat; cool completely.
Preheat oven to 400°. Toss drained apples with flour and salt. On a lightly floured surface, roll one half of dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 10-in. cast-iron or other deep ovenproof skillet. Trim pastry even with rim. Add apple mixture. Pour cooled syrup over top; dot with butter.
Roll remaining dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle. Place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edge. Cut slits in top. Brush milk over pastry; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes.
Reduce oven setting to 350°. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 45-55 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack.
