• Preheat oven to 450°.
• With your fingers or a fork, mix together all of the crumb ingredients until coarse crumbs form; set aside.

Make the syrup:

• In a heatproof saucepan or mixing bowl, stir to dissolve the baking soda in the molasses; add the boiling water, salt, and spices and stir well.
• Pour one-third of the syrup into the bottom of the pie shell; add a third of the crumbs; repeat these layers twice more, ending with the crumbs.
• Place the pie into the oven and immediately turn down heat to 350°.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the crumbs and crust are golden.