Prepare and roll out pastry for double-crust pie. Line a 9-inch pie plate with half of the pastry. Set aside.

For filling, in a large bowl, stir together the 1/3 cup sugar, the cornstarch, and the salt. Add the apples and gently toss until coated.

In a small bowl, stir together maple syrup, whipping cream, and vanilla. Pour over apple mixture. Fold until combined. Transfer to the pastry-lined pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate.

Roll out remaining pastry and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips. (Or roll out second portion of pastry to form a top crust; cut slits.) Weave strips over filling for lattice crust. Press ends of strips into crust rim. Fold bottom pastry over strips; seal and crimp edge. Brush pastry with milk and sprinkle with sugar. To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. If you like, place the pie on a baking sheet to catch drips.

Bake the pie in a 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil. Bake the pie for about 30 minutes more or until the top is golden. Serve warm or cool. Makes 8 servings.

To make pastry cutouts on top of pie, roll out pastry scraps about 1/8 inch thick and use small cutters to form leaf shapes. Moisten with water and place atop unbaked crust.

In a mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 2/3 cup shortening until pieces are peasize. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cold water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side of the bowl. Repeat moistening dough, using 1 tablespoon cold water at a time, until all the dough is moistened (6 to 7 tablespoons cold water total). Divide dough in half. Form each half into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to slightly flatten 1 dough ball. Roll dough from center to edge into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin. Unroll pastry into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry. Continue as directed above.