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Honey Maple Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup

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Maple pecan pie has that gooey texture you love with a warm deep flavor that comes from the combination of maple syrup and honey. There is no corn syrup to be found in the ingredient list and it tastes amazing.

Slice of honey maple pecan pie with fork, ready to eat.

Flaky crust, sweet goey filling and delicious crunchy pecans come together in the perfect pie. Of course this pecan pie recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, but it can be enjoyed year round.

This recipe was originally developed by my mom, affectionately known as MiMi around here. We did a pecan pie bake off several years ago.

This wasn’t actually her entry in the contest. She instead entered a pie that had a layer of brownie in it in addition to the gooey pecan layer.

After the contest, folks had a chance to try this pie as well. The consensus was this pie would have won had it been entered.

It has all of the things you want want in a pecan pie without the corn syrup. The honey and maple syrup add a lovely flavor and more natural sweetness.

The Crust

You will want to start with a traditional pie crust pastry. Feel free to start with your favorite store bought dough if that’s your preference.

My great-grandma’s lard pie crust would be a perfect base. Mimi’s flaky pie crust would be another fabulous option.

Using a chocolate pie crust would be another super fun option. Use whatever you think is best.

pie crust filled with pecans, honey and maple syrup ready to bake.

Go ahead and get the crust rolled out and fitted into your 9-inch pie plate. Then put it in the refrigerator to chill while you make the filling.

Chilled pasty dough creates the most flaky finished product. So it’s worth bringing the temperature down before putting it in the oven.

The Filling

Mimi’s original recipe was a bit cutesy with most of the measurements tying to the number 3/4. I have adjusted the measurements in this version for ease and texture.

For instance 3/4 of a Tablespoon of flour takes some thinking to do. And it’s easier to use 1 1/2 cups of one kind of pecan rather than using 3/4 cup of chopped and 3/4 cup of whole nuts.

I will share her original recipe list below in case you made it that way and fell in love. But the basic idea of this recipe very closely MiMi’s.

Freshly baked honey maple pecan pie with no corn syrup.

The brown sugar, honey and maple syrup come together to make an extra rich and flavorful center. Those flavors work really well with the pecans.

I found a bag of chopped pecans that had a lot of large pieces to straddle the best of both worlds between chopped and whole pecans. So there were large recognizable pieces with little bits to fill the gaps.

Baking the Pie

The hardest part about making the pie is knowing when to pull it out of the oven. The right baking time is crucial to getting the right texture.

You want to pull your pecan pie while there is still some wobble in the center. The edges should be mostly set, but the center should look a bit more like jello when you give the pan a shake.

Slice of maple honey pecan pie on plate with fork.

The filling will set up more as the pie cools, so it shouldn’t be firm throughout when it is still hot. Think of it a lot like you would a quiche.

If the crust starts getting too browned, go ahead and cover them as needed. Though that hasn’t been necessary in the pies I have baked.

Cool the pie at room temperature for about an hour before moving it to the refrigerator to cool completely.

The pie can be served either chilled or at room temperature. There are distinct advantages to both.

Side view of gooey honey maple pecan pie with jars of maple syrup and honey in background.

The chilled pie will give you the cleanest slices. The room temperature pie has a more pronounced depth of flavor and mouthfeel.

You can always plate the chilled pie and let the slices sit for a bit to warm up before serving them for the best of both worlds. That only works if you have the self control to wait!

More Great Pecan Recipes

If you like the idea of this pie and candied pecans, you are going to love honeyed pecans.

Or try making pecan pie baked oatmeal for a fabulous breakfast twist on this idea.

Looking down on slice of pecan pie with honey and maple syrup nearby.

MiMi’s Original Recipe

I have adapted this recipe a bit over time. If you made the original and loved it, the ingredients are listed below so you can keep making it that way.

  • pie crust
  • 3/4 stick butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 T vanilla
  • 3/4 T flour
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 3/4 cup maple syrup
  • 3/4 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup pecans, chopped
  • 3/4 cup pecan halves

Follow the baking directions in the recipe box below for a great pie without corn syrup. And check out my tips for corn syrup substitutes.

More Great Pie Recipes

Of course pumpkin pie and pecan pie go hand in hand. Making a sweetened condensed milk pumpkin pie to go with this one would be a perfect combination.

Or make my great-grandma’s apple pie to serve with this one. It is another great complimentary dessert.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!

Slice of honey maple pecan pie with fork, ready to eat.

Honey Maple Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup

Carlee
Maple pecan pie has that gooey texture you love with a warm deep flavor that comes from the combination of maple syrup and honey. There is no corn syrup to be found in the ingredient list and it tastes amazing.
4.77 from 60 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 377 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pie crust
  • 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 6 Tablespoons butter melted and cooled
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • cup honey
  • cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • cup pecan pieces and/or halves

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Fit pie crust in 9-inch pie pan and refrigerate until ready to use.
    1 pie crust
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together flour, salt and eggs.
    1 Tablespoon all purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 3 large eggs
  • Stir in butter, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, vanilla and vinegar.
    6 Tablespoons butter, ¾ cup light brown sugar, 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, ⅔ cup honey, ⅔ cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Stir in pecans and pour into prepared crust.
    1½ cup pecan pieces and/or halves
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes. The center should have just a slight jiggle.
  • Cool at room temperature for an hour, then refrigerate to set completely.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 377kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 4gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 218mgFiber: 2gSugar: 39g
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Recipe Rating




Peggy

Sunday 19th of November 2023

I tap my own maple trees and have my own bees. This recipe is a gift. I have made this recipe for 2 years now and it never disappoints. I like to use the pecan pie crusts from the market, so I cut down on the volume of ingredients, using 1/2 cups instead of 3/4 and it works well.

Carlee

Sunday 19th of November 2023

This is perfect for you then! Luckily my family does both as well, so we have access to the best maple syrup and honey around. Cutting down the filling and using those pecan pie crusts is a great idea!

lxbfYeaa

Monday 12th of June 2023

1

Candace

Thursday 22nd of December 2022

I'm planming to make this for Christmas... wondering if can replace brown sugar with turbinado cane sugar, and possibly half the honey? I've always loved the taste of pecan pie, but a few bites in and it's always too sweet to go any further... I'm looking for a way to get that delicious flavor without the sugar hit.

Carlee

Friday 23rd of December 2022

I think both substituting the sugar and reducing the honey should work ok. If anything it should set even better that way. It is definitely a sweet pie, the vinegar helps to round it out a bit but it only does so much. You could try upping the salt a tiny bit too if you want.

danielle

Sunday 11th of December 2022

I am wondering if i could almost omit the brown sugar, being that theres already honey and maple syrup. For someone who prefers a not too sweet pecan pie. any recommendation for this option? thanks so much.

Carlee

Sunday 11th of December 2022

I haven't tried it without brown sugar, but it should work. Please let me know how it goes if you try it.

SAS

Thursday 1st of December 2022

I have Raw pecans…should they be toasted? I also have a RAW honey (whipped looking not runny) is that ok to use? Also, wondering what the purpose of the Apple Cider Vinegar is? I can not wait to try this…I wanted a recipe with honey, maple, brown sugar & vanilla… Thanks!

Carlee

Friday 2nd of December 2022

You can certainly toast the pecans before you put them in. That will add a nice depth of flavor, but it isn't completely necessary if you are in a hurry. Raw whipped honey should work great. I use raw honey from my family's bees all of the time with no problem. I haven't used creamed honey in this recipe, but that should work great too. The vinegar and salt help to balance out the sweet. It is a very sweet filling, so a bit of salt and acid helps to make it not so over the top. You could use lemon juice or white vinegar if that's easier. I hope you enjoy the pie!