Serves 6 to 8.

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup water (use fresh maple sap in season)
3/4 cup walnut halves or pieces
Pastry for one 8" or 9" pie shell

Melt butter in small saucepan. Add flour all at once. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is golden brown. Add syrup and water and cook, whisking constantly until thickened. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Add nuts. Pour warm filling into prepared pit shell. Bake at 350&deg on center rack of oven 35 to 4O minutes or until filling is set and crust is golden brown. Cool on wire rack. May be decorated with nuts, pastry maple leaves, etc. Best if garnished with whipped cream.

Recipe Courtesy of the Massachusetts Maple Producer's Association.