Traditional Pumpkin Pie With a Walnut-Crunch Topping

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

• 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 9 inches deep dish pie shells, unbaked
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• sweetened whipped cream
• 3 tablespoons orange zest

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2. 2

   Toss the walnuts, brown sugar and maple syrup in a small mixing bowl.

3. 3

   Combine the pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs, spices and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well.

4. 4

   Transfer 3/4 cup of the walnut-sugar mixture to the bottom of the pie shell. Pour pumpkin batter over the walnut mixture.

5. 5

   Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F; bake for an additional 40 to 50 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the pie's center comes out clean).

6. 6

   Cool pie on a baker's wire rack. Meanwhile, add butter to the remaining walnut-sugar mixture; stir until moistened. Sprinkle over the cooled pie. Broil about 5-inches form heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until bubbly. Cool before serving.

7. 7

   Provide your guests with their choice of sweetened whipped cream or French vanilla ice cream with a sprinkling of orange zest, and get ready for the applause!