Authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Shoo Fly Pie

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Combine the baking soda and boiling water in a bowl and mix until dissolved.

Stir together the egg and molasses in another bowl.

Sift the flour, ginger, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, cloves, and salt into a large bowl. Add the butter or shortening and mix in using a pastry cutter or fork until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Place the pie pastry in a 9-inch pie dish.

Combine the baking soda mixture and molasses mixture and add to the pie shell. Top with the crumb mixture. Do not stir.

Place the pie in the oven and bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 20 additional minutes.

Cool the pie before serving. Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator.