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Maple Pecan Tart

ByLaura Kasavan Updated
★★★★★ from 5 reviews
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Welcome to my dream maple pecan tart! With an irresistible maple pecan filling (possibly even better than pecan pie), this tart comes together quickly and makes a showstopping dessert for your Thanksgiving table.

Maple Pecan Tart

Delicious served with billows of maple cinnamon whipped cream (and a side of coffee!), autumn leaf cut-outs add a festive flair.

Decorative Leaf Designs

You have two options for the leaf embellishments: punch the shapes from the scrap dough, or make a second crust just for the cut outs. Brush the shapes with heavy cream, sprinkle with sugar, and bake until golden. Let cool, then add to the top of the tart in a decorative pattern for a beautiful finish!

Maple Pecan Tart
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Maple Pecan Tart

Maple Pecan Tart

★★★★★ 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Laura Kasavan
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: Yield: 1 9-inch tart, 8 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

With a delicious maple pecan filling and decorative autum leaf topping, this maple pecan tart is a showstopping holiday tart!

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2 to 4 Tbsp ice water

Filling

  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark amber maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
  • 3 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 2 cups pecans, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Maple Cinnamon Whipped Cream

  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp maple extract
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. For the crust, combine flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor. Add cubed butter and process for 10 seconds, just until the mixture resembles coarse meal. With the food processor running, add 2 tablespoons ice water in a steady stream through feed tube. If needed, add additional ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, and process just until dough holds together in large clumps (no more than 30 seconds). Wrap dough in plastic and flatten slightly to form a disc. Chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days, or place in a freezer bag and freeze up to 1 month).
  2. Place disc of dough on a floured board and dust dough with flour. Roll out dough (roll dough in one direction, then lift up dough and rotate a quarter turn and roll, then repeat) until dough is 1/4-inch thick, approximately a 12-inch circle. If dough starts to stick, use a bench scraper to lift dough from board. Transfer dough to prepared tart pan, lightly pressing down into the bottom and sides of the pan. Run the rolling pin over the top of the tart pan to remove the excess dough, and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes. If desired, punch out decorative leaf shapes from the leftover dough; chill cut outs in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
  3. For the filling, combine brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, heavy cream, and salt in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil and stir in chopped pecans. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes before assembling tart.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F and place a rimmed baking sheet in the middle of the oven. Spoon filling into chilled tart shell and top with pecan halves in a decorative pattern. Place tart on pre-heated baking sheet and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until filling is bubbly and pastry is golden. Cool tart on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before serving.
  5. Brush pastry leaf cut outs with heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool before adding to the top of the tart.
  6. For the maple cinnamon whipped cream, pour heavy cream into a chilled mixer bowl fitted with wire whip attachment. Add sugar and whip on medium speed until cream begins to thicken. Add maple extract and cinnamon; whip the cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Serve immediately.

Notes

Leaf cut-outs: I used these fall pie crust cutters.

Keywords: Maple, Maple Syrup, Pecan, Pecan Tart, Thanksgiving

Maple Pecan Tart

More maple recipes to try:

Maple Cream Scones
Baked Maple Doughnuts
Maple Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.

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20 Comments

  1. Hi

    Looking to make a pecan tart and this looks beautiful. However, I noticed there are no eggs in the filling and am wondering what the texture is? Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Susan, that’s correct – this tart does not use eggs. The texture reminds me of pecan pie bars. Happy baking!

      Reply

    1. Hi Veronica! You can make this tart 1-2 days in advance. If you’re making this for Thanksgiving, you could make the pastry today, and bake the tart tomorrow. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  3. That truly is a work of art and I can just imagine how good it tastes. When I was growing up on our ranch in Texas, we had pecan trees in our yard. Needless to say I’ve eaten a lot of pecan pies and this sounds delicious.

    Reply

  5. Absolutely stunning tart and perfect for the holidays 🙂 Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  6. Just made this for Thanksgiving – it was fabulous!! Just the perfect amount of sweetness and so pretty. I used the leftover dough for the cutouts (didn’t make a second batch). Thank you for the great recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  7. Squeeaaal! It’s so cute Laura! I’m very partial to a leaf cutter too and you’ve also combined two most excellent flavours 😀

    Reply

  8. Such a stunningly beautiful autumn tart, Laura! You are truly an artist with tarts. I still remember your gorgeous red raspberry curd tart with fresh raspberries on top. 🙂 As always, thank you for sharing. Warmest wishes for a meaningful and happy Thanksgiving Day holiday!

    Reply

  12. What a TOTAL showstopper for the holiday season Laura! I love the little cutouts on top! Beautiful!

    ★★★★★

    Reply