#2208 - Black Walnut Pie

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 unbaked pie crust dough (or make your own)
1 cup finely chopped black walnuts (measure after chopping)
3 TBSP softened butter
a dash of salt
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1/3 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
1 cup real maple syrup (substitutes not recommended)
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. lemon juice
thawed Cool Whip for topping

Spray a pie plate with Pam, insert pie dough, flute the edges of the pie dough and spray the inside of the pie dough with Pam. Sprinkle the chopped black walnuts evenly over the bottom of the pie dough--set aside. In a mixer add eggs and brown sugar--beat. Add butter--beat until creamy. Add maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and vanilla--beat until smooth. Carefully pour the batter over the black walnuts in the crust. Bake at 375 degrees for for 35 minutes. Cool completely. Serve each piece of pie with Cool Whip. If you want, instead of putting the chopped black walnuts in the bottom of the pie dough, you can add them to the batter and mix well with a spoon, but they tend to settle to the bottom anyway.