LATTICE APPLE PIE WITH MEXICAN BROWN SUGAR

Steps:

• Put a large heavy baking sheet in middle of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.
• Bring piloncillo, water, zest, spices, and 1/8 teaspoon salt to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, covered, stirring occasionally until piloncillo has dissolved. Remove lid and boil over medium-low heat until syrup is thickened and reduced to about 3/4 cup, 6 to 10 minutes. Discard zest and cool syrup slightly.
• Meanwhile, peel and core apples, then cut into 1/2-inch-wide wedges.
• Toss apples with flour, then with syrup.
• Roll out 1 piece of dough (keeping remaining piece chilled) on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round, then fit into a 9-inch pie plate.
• Trim edge, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang, and chill shell.
• Roll out remaining piece of dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 16-by 11-inch rectangle. Cut dough crosswise into 11 (1 1/4-inch-wide) strips.
• Stir apple mixture, then spoon evenly into pie shell. Weave a tight lattice pattern over pie with pastry strips.
• Trim all strips flush with edge of pie plate. Fold bottom crust up over edge of lattice and crimp. Brush lattice (but not edge) with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake pie on hot baking sheet 20 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and bake until crust is golden and filling is bubbling, 50 to 60 minutes more. Cool pie to warm or room temperature, about 1 1/2 hours.