Combine 2 cups flour and salt. With pastry blender, cut in shortening. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix after each addition until particles resemble the size of small peas. Gather into a ball. Divide in half. Roll out or place in refrigerator until needed.

Fit bottom crust into pie plate. Slice apples evenly. Place layer of apples in pie plate. Form layer of cinnamon-sugar-flour mixture, followed by more apples. Continue until all ingredients are used. Dot with butter. Cover with second crust. Crimp edges and vent. Bake at 375 degrees until apples are tender, about 1 hour.

April's Alternate Method: Combine apples, cinnamon and sugar (also nutmeg and cloves, if desired). Allow to soak while preparing pie crust. Drain juice from apples and mix in flour as needed. Fill pie plate evenly with apples; dot with butter. Continue pie as directed above.