Mini Walnut Pies

For the dough:

1/2 C walnuts, finely ground

1/2 C mascarpone cheese

4 T unsalted butter, softened

3/4 C all purpose flour

pinch of salt

For the filling:

1 large egg

1/4 C brown sugar, packed

2T maple syrup

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 t unsalted butter, softened

a dash of salt

3/4 c walnuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Put mascarpone cheese and butter into the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on high-medium speed until well blended. Add flour, walnuts and salt.Mix just until dough comes together. Roll dough into 16 one inch balls and press into bottoms and up sides of cups of mini muffin tins. Make the filling: Whisk together egg, sugar , maple syrup, vanilla, butter and salt. Stir in the walnuts. spoon about 1 1/2 tsp. filling into each muffin cup. bake until crust begins to turn golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely in tins on wire racks.