The best Easy Pecan Pie recipe without corn syrup

This easy homemade Pecan pie recipe with maple syrup is delicious with a crumbly, crispy crust and a sweet and crunchy pecan filling. As easy as it can be without pre-baking pie crust and made without corn syrup.

Pecan pie

Every one knows this traditional American Pecan Pie recipe ! This loved dessert is usually prepared for the end of year celebrations and more precisely for Thanksgiving day.

For those who do not know this day, Thanksgiving is a big family holiday celebrated in the United States in the month of November. They gather around a family table to enjoy the famous stuffed turkey but also sweets pie recipe such as this pecan pie, Apple pie or pumpkin pie. 

Composition of the best and easiest pecan pie

There are different pecan pie recipes, but they are all as simple and quick to make with only 2 preparations: 

• Classic pie crust recipe : quite different in texture and taste from the pie shell usually found in apple tart or strawberry tart. It is more like a quick puff pastry. It is crumbly, very crispy and with the good taste of butter. 
• Pecan Filling: A soft, flavorful texture wit pecans that add a lot of crunch. You can replace some of the pecans with walnut kernels and almonds. The original recipe is prepared with corn syrup which is a glucose syrup, that I replaced here by maple syrup which is more accessible and much flavorful. This is a non-alcoholic recipe, but you can find versions like the bourbon pecan pie that contains alcohol and that you can also replace with rum. 

Material

This recipe doesn't require a lot of equipment, which is why we love it even more. You won't need to turn on your mixer - a simple hand whisk will do the job.

• A pie dish
• A rolling pin

Pecan pie filling ingredients

• Eggs: at room temperature, they help structure the filling and give a thick consistency. 
• Brown sugar: flavors the recipe and adds sweetness. 
• Butter: unsalted and melted butter so that it blends in well and gives a smooth mixture.
• Syrup: gives a creamy texture and softness in the mouth, you can use as in the traditional recipe light corn syrup, or like me replace it by maple syrup or make a mixture with honey.
• Vanilla extract and salt: Adds more flavor and balances the taste. 
• Pecan: One part crushed for the inside and another for the top, but you can also reduce the quantity and only put some on the top. Or make a mixture of nuts like almonds and walnuts. You can also roast the nuts in the oven for a few minutes to bring out their flavor even more.  
• Optional: Cinnamon or gingerbread spices to spice things up a bit. Alcohol like bourbon or rum. Cocoa powder or melted chocolat for a chocolate pecan pie recipe. 

How to make Pecan Pie

This recipe is a simple pecan pie recipe. It doesn't require much equipment, you will only need a pie plate, a rolling pin and a hand whisk. 

Make the pie crust

1. Place the dry ingredients in a large container, the flour, sugar and salt. 
2. Add the very cold butter, cut into pieces.
3. Rub all the ingredients together with your hands until you get a sandy texture.
4. Add the cold water and gather the dough to form a ball.
5. Cover with cling film and place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
6. Roll out the dough on a floured work surface or between 2 sheets of baking paper to a thickness of 3-4 mm. (As large as the size of your pie dish).
7. Cover the pie dish with the dough and shape it into pretty edges. 
8. Place in the freezer while preparing the filling. (frozen pie will allow the crust to keep its shape during the baking process) 

Make the filling

• Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C
• In a bowl mix together eggs, melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt.
• Stir in half of the coarsely chopped pecans.
• Pour the mixture over the pie crust and place the remaining whole pecans on top. ( or for an old fashioned pecan pie version, put all the pecans directly into the filling).
• Bake for about 50 minutes. (until the inside is firmer)
• Let the pecan pie cool a little before serving warm with a whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

How to store this pie recipe

It can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week, but remember to take it out in advance to serve it at room temperature or you can put it in the microwave for a few moments to cool it down a bit. 

How to freeze pecan pie

By freezing your dessert, you can always have some on hand for a quick craving or if you have guests over. Simply cut your pie into slices and place them in a storage box to keep for up to 3 months.

To defrost, place in the fridge to gently defrost. 

How to make easy pecan pie recipe without corn syrup

This is America's favorite dessert and the original recipe calls to use corn syrup which is a glucose syrup. Many people think that it is not possible to make this recipe by replacing this ingredient without altering the final taste of the pie.
However, it is possible to make this recipe without corn syrup and still make it successful. Its texture will be mostly defined by the amount of syrup added, the more it contains the creamier the texture and the less it contains the thicker it will be. 

You can simply replace it with another sugar syrup, like pure maple syrup, which has a delicious flavor, or by simply using honey or a combination of both.

Others pie recipes

• Apple Pie
• Key lime Pie
• Pumpkin Pie

I'd love to see yours 😉  So feel free to share your photos with me, leave me a comment and tag me @sweetlycakes on Instagram if you make my recipe!