This walnut pie has a luxurious caramel filling that is made with maple syrup and real salted butter. Butter gives the caramel exceptional flavor and creaminess, and an all-butter pie dough provides the most delicious flaky crust.
In the bowl of a food processor, mix together flour and salt. Cube butter and place on top of the flour mixture. Blend the butter into dry ingredients in short bursts until pea-sized pieces are scattered throughout. Add ice cold water 1 tablespoon at a time through the feed tube while processing in short bursts. Keep pulsing until a shaggy ball is formed to one side of the bowl. Turn out dough and shape into a flat disk. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Roll the pie dough disk into a 12-inch circle and fit in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond the edge of the plate and crimp the edges. Line the dough with parchment paper and add dry rice or pie weights. Bake for 8 minutes then cool on a wire rack. Remove parchment and pie weights.
For the Maple Caramel Walnut Pie Filling:
In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, syrup, butter, cream and salt. Bring to a bubble over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove the pan from heat and let cool 12 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl beat together the eggs and maple extract. Gradually add the syrup mixture to the eggs in a thin stream while whisking constantly to temper. Stir in chopped walnuts; pour into the prepared pie crust. Arrange walnut halves on top of the pie filling. Bake the pie for 40-45 minutes or until well set. Cool on a wire rack. Serve with whipped cream.
Notes
To make homemade whipped cream, beat 1 cup of heavy cream in a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar gradually as you continue to whip. Add a splash of vanilla extract and beat until billowy and fluffy, about 2 more minutes.
Keyword fall, maple syrup, Thanksgiving dessert, walnut pie