Maple Pie

This has been made for years in our family and is a New Year's Day tradition.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 45 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 pie

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
• 2  eggs, separated
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (2 1/2teaspoon) envelope gelatin
• 1⁄4 cup cold water
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black walnut extract (optional)
• 1  cup  whipping cream
• 1⁄4  finely chopped walnuts
• 1  baked graham cracker crust or 1  flour  pie crust

Directions

1. Heat maple syrup and add to beaten egg yolks in a double boiler. Stirring constantly cook until thickened. Add salt.
2. Soak gelatin in cold water and add to hot egg yolk mixture, mixing well. Let cool to room temperature until just beginning to set.
3. Beat egg whites until frothy. Add sugar(with vanilla added) gradually and beat until stiff, but not dry.
4. Whip cream. Gently fold in egg white and whipped cream to cooled egg yolk mixture.
5. Sprinkle top with finely chopped walnuts and refrigerate until set(2-4 hours).