The Best Corn Syrup-Free Maple Pecan Pie: A Delicious & Easy Holiday Recipe
There’s an undeniable magic to a perfectly baked pecan pie – a dessert that evokes warmth, comfort, and the joy of festive gatherings. This easy Maple Pecan Pie recipe offers all the classic indulgence you crave, but with a significant and delicious upgrade: it’s made entirely without corn syrup. Instead, we embrace the natural, deep, and complex sweetness of pure maple syrup, transforming this holiday favorite into a truly extraordinary culinary experience. Prepare to delight your taste buds with a decadently delicious pie that promises to become a cherished tradition at your Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.
Why This Maple Pecan Pie Recipe Stands Out
As a passionate baker, I adore the rich flavors and comforting textures of pecan pie. However, I’ve always preferred to avoid cooking with corn syrup, seeking alternatives that offer a more natural and nuanced sweetness. This recipe is a direct answer to that quest, delivering a truly exceptional pecan pie experience.
Similar to our popular pecan pie bars, this recipe proudly uses pure maple syrup as its primary sweetener, completely sidestepping corn syrup. The result is a pie with a complex flavor profile that’s both familiar and wonderfully fresh, allowing the natural goodness of the pecans to shine through.
The holiday season, in my opinion, can never have too much pecan pie! That’s why I’ve also developed a variety of other pecan-inspired delights, including delicious pecan pie brownies, delightful pecan pie balls, and a creamy pecan cream pie. Each offers a unique way to enjoy the beloved flavors of pecans.
For many, Thanksgiving or Christmas simply isn’t complete without a slice of warm, gooey pecan pie. This maple-infused version elevates that tradition, providing a depth of flavor and a natural sweetness that will have everyone reaching for a second slice.
The Magic of Maple Syrup in Pecan Pie
The choice to use pure maple syrup in this pecan pie recipe is not just about avoiding corn syrup; it’s about actively enhancing the flavor and texture of the pie. Maple syrup brings a unique caramel-like sweetness with earthy undertones that corn syrup simply cannot replicate. This natural sweetness complements the buttery, nutty flavor of the pecans beautifully, creating a more sophisticated and deeply satisfying dessert.
- Enhanced Flavor Profile: Pure maple syrup introduces a rich, complex sweetness with hints of vanilla and caramel, which perfectly harmonizes with the robust flavor of toasted pecans.
- Natural Sweetener: For those looking for alternatives to highly processed sugars, maple syrup is a fantastic natural option, offering a slightly lower glycemic index than many other sweeteners.
- Perfect Texture: While corn syrup is often used for its thickening properties and to prevent crystallization, maple syrup, when combined with eggs, butter, and a touch of flour, creates an equally luscious, “ooey-gooey” filling that sets beautifully without becoming overly firm.
How to Make Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this magnificent maple pecan pie is simpler than you might think. Follow these easy steps for a truly rewarding baking experience.
Step 1: Prepare the Irresistible Filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pure maple syrup, rich heavy cream, all-purpose flour, fragrant vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, perfectly melted (and slightly cooled) butter, farm-fresh eggs, and the comforting sweetness of brown sugar. Whisk these ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and smooth. This forms the heart of your pie – a luscious, flavorful base for the pecans.
Recipe Tip: Choosing Your Maple Syrup
This recipe specifically calls for real pure maple syrup, not the artificial, shelf-stable breakfast syrups often found on supermarket shelves. The difference in flavor is monumental! Pure maple syrup offers a depth and richness that is crucial for this pie.
Any variety of pure maple syrup will work wonderfully. Whether you prefer dark or light amber, Grade A or Grade B (now typically categorized by color and flavor descriptors like ‘Golden Delicate Taste’ to ‘Very Dark Strong Taste’), choose one that you enjoy. The darker syrups tend to have a more robust maple flavor, which can add even more character to your pie.
Step 2: Arrange the Pecan Halves. Take your chosen pie crust (store-bought or homemade) and evenly line the bottom with the pecan halves. This ensures that every slice gets a generous helping of crunchy pecans. For an extra touch of visual appeal, you can arrange some pecans in an attractive pattern on top of the crust before adding the filling.
Step 3: Pour the Maple Pecan Filling. Carefully pour the prepared maple pecan filling over the pecans, ensuring it distributes evenly throughout the pie crust. The pecans should be submerged or mostly covered by the rich, amber mixture.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection. Bake your pecan pie in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for approximately 45 to 55 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are set, and the center is only slightly jiggly. If the crust begins to brown too quickly, you can gently cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
Step 5: Cool and Chill for Optimal Texture. Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This can take about 2 hours. After reaching room temperature, cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator. While you can technically serve this pie at room temperature, I’ve found that refrigerating it significantly improves its texture, making for cleaner slices and a firmer, more delightful filling. This also makes it an ideal make-ahead dessert for busy holiday schedules.
Serve your perfectly chilled maple pecan pie with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or even a light dusting of cinnamon for an extra touch of warmth. This pie is exquisitely sweet, boasts that coveted “ooey-gooey” filling, and truly embodies perfection in every forkful!
Without a doubt, this maple pecan pie is an essential addition to your holiday dessert table. Its delightful flavors and comforting presence make it a festive centerpiece that everyone will adore.
Can I Make My Own Pie Crust?
Absolutely! While a store-bought pie crust makes this recipe incredibly quick and convenient, if you have a cherished homemade pie crust recipe, feel free to use it. Simply prepare your favorite crust as you normally would for any pie, then proceed with the filling and baking steps exactly as outlined in this recipe. The key is to ensure your crust is ready for filling and baking according to its own instructions (some recipes require blind baking, others do not). The richness of a homemade crust can add another layer of deliciousness to your maple pecan pie.
Is It Okay to Leave Pecan Pie Out Overnight?
For food safety reasons, pecan pie, due to its egg-based filling, should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. After two hours, it must be promptly transferred to the refrigerator. The eggs in the filling can create a hospitable environment for bacteria growth if the pie remains at warmer temperatures for an extended period. Always prioritize refrigeration to keep your pie fresh and safe to eat.
How Long Does Pecan Pie Last?
Once properly refrigerated, your delicious maple pecan pie will last for approximately 3 to 4 days. Of course, it’s often so irresistible that it rarely makes it past day one!
To store the pie effectively and maintain its freshness, make sure it is completely cooled before covering it. Use plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or even a tight-fitting lid on a pie carrier. I personally find that ‘Press’n Seal’ works wonders for creating an airtight seal, preventing any drying out and keeping the pie as fresh as possible. Storing it correctly ensures that every slice remains as delightful as the first.
More Holiday Recipes to Savor
Looking for more delectable desserts and festive dishes to complete your holiday spread? Explore some of my other favorite recipes that are perfect for sharing with family and friends:
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans: A savory and sweet side dish that’s a staple for any holiday meal.
- Pumpkin Cream Pie: A lighter, creamier take on the classic pumpkin pie.
- Christmas Crack: An addictively easy and incredibly popular treat for the festive season.
- No Bake Peanut Butter Pie: A simple yet rich pie that requires no oven time.
- Ritz Cracker Toffee: Salty and sweet perfection that disappears quickly!
- Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars: A delightful combination of crunchy, chewy, sweet, and salty.
- Peanut Clusters: Quick and easy chocolatey peanut bites.
- Dark Chocolate Pecan Cookie Bars: For the dark chocolate lovers, these bars are rich and satisfying.
Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup
Joy Shull
20 minutes
50 minutes
1 hour
10 minutes
8
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Ingredients
-
1
cup
pure maple syrup -
2
tablespoons
heavy cream -
2
tablespoons
all purpose flour -
1
tablespoon
vanilla extract -
1/2
teaspoon
salt -
2
tablespoons
butter, melted and slightly cooled -
3
eggs -
1/2
cup
brown sugar -
2
cups
pecan halves -
1
store bought pie crust
Instructions
-
Follow instructions on your pie crust for pre baking (if applicable). Many store-bought crusts can be used directly without pre-baking, but always check the package directions.
-
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
-
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the pure maple syrup, heavy cream, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, salt, melted butter, eggs, and brown sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well-incorporated.
-
Arrange the pecan halves evenly inside the pie crust. You can create a decorative pattern or simply spread them out.
-
Carefully pour the prepared maple pecan filling over the pecans, ensuring they are well covered.
-
Bake the pecan pie at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 45 – 55 minutes, or until the pie’s center is mostly set with only a slight jiggle. If the crust edges start to brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
-
Allow the pie to cool completely to room temperature, which typically takes about two hours. After cooling, transfer the pie to the refrigerator to store. While delicious at room temperature, it slices best and achieves an ideal texture after being thoroughly chilled. This also makes it an excellent pie to prepare in advance for gatherings.
-
Store any leftover pie covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the fridge for 3 – 4 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
Calories:
402
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
44
g
,
Protein:
5
g
,
Fat:
24
g
,
Saturated Fat:
5
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
17
g
,
Cholesterol:
65
mg
,
Sodium:
225
mg
,
Fiber:
3
g
,
Sugar:
30
g
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