Midwestern Butterscotch Cream Pie

This is an old-fashioned pie, with the golden flavors of brown sugar, butter and vanilla. The recipe is from the late Alberta Potts Violanti, who grew up in West Virginia, and then raised her kids on this pie in Michigan (her daughter, Nancy Hubbard, gave me the recipe). Mrs. Violanti topped this pie with meringue (see note); I like whipped cream—take your pick.