This Maple Pecan Tart with Shortbread Crust is a gorgeous holiday-worthy dessert featuring a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crust and a luscious maple-sweetened pecan filling. Unlike traditional pecan pie, this tart is not overly rich or syrupy—thanks to the natural caramel sweetness of maple syrup, it has a deeper and more elegant flavor.

The combination of toasted pecans, smooth maple custard, and tender shortbread base creates a dessert that is both rustic and luxurious. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas feasts, or any special celebration.

Why I Love This Recipe

Not too sweet — the maple syrup provides perfect balanced sweetness
Shortbread crust adds buttery richness without getting soggy
Beautiful presentation with minimal effort
Simple ingredients — impressive results
Make-ahead friendly for stress-free entertaining

Why It’s a Must-Try

This tart takes the best of pecan pie and makes it more refined. Every bite offers crunch, creaminess, warmth from toasty nuts, and pure maple flavor that screams fall. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people pause and say:
“Wow… this is special.”

Recipe Details

Category	Details
Prep Time	20 minutes
Chill Time	20 minutes
Bake Time	35–40 minutes
Total Time	~1 hour 20 minutes
Servings	8–10
Calories	~420 kcal per slice
Course	Dessert
Cuisine	American / Holiday Baking

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Maple Pecan Filling

• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups chopped pecans (plus extra halves for topping)

Optional: pinch of cinnamon for seasonal warmth

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Prepare the Crust

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2️⃣ In a bowl, whisk flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
3️⃣ Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbly.
4️⃣ Add vanilla and press dough evenly into a 9-inch tart pan.
5️⃣ Chill 20 minutes to prevent shrinking.
6️⃣ Bake crust 10 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2 — Make the Maple Pecan Filling

7️⃣ Whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla & salt until smooth.
8️⃣ Stir in chopped pecans.

Step 3 — Fill & Bake

9️⃣ Pour filling into crust and smooth the top.
🔟 Optionally arrange pecan halves in a decorative pattern.
⓫ Bake 25–30 minutes until center is set but slightly soft.
⓬ Cool completely before slicing — filling continues to firm as it cools.

How to Serve

• Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled
• Pair with:
  • Fresh whipped cream (maple-flavored if you like!)
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Hot coffee or spiced tea
• Thin slices recommended — it’s rich and satisfying!

Special Equipment Needed

• 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom
• Pastry cutter or food processor (optional)
• Wire cooling rack

Recipe Tips

• Use 100% pure maple syrup — the flavor depends on it!
• Don’t overbake — a slight jiggle keeps the filling silky
• Toast pecans before adding for extra nuttiness
• Chill crust before baking to maintain neat edges
• Line bottom with parchment if you worry about sticking

Recipe Variations

Variation	How to Modify

Bourbon Maple Pecan Tart

Add 1–2 tbsp bourbon to filling

Chocolate Layer

Spread melted dark chocolate over crust before filling

Maple Walnut Tart

Swap pecans for walnuts

Salted Caramel Pecan Tart

Drizzle salted caramel on top after baking

Gluten-Free Version

Use GF flour blend for crust

Freezing & Storage

Method	Duration	Instructions
Refrigerate	4–5 days	Store covered in airtight container
Freeze Whole	Up to 2 months	Wrap in plastic + foil (without whipped cream)
Freeze Slices	6–8 weeks	Freeze individually for easy serving
Thawing	Overnight in fridge	Bring to room temp before serving

FAQ

Q: Can I substitute corn syrup for maple syrup?
You can, but you’ll lose the signature maple flavor — maple is essential here.

Q: Why does my filling seem runny?
It may be underbaked. The center should just barely jiggle.

Q: Can this be made a day ahead?
Absolutely — in fact, the flavor deepens overnight!

Q: Do I need a tart pan?
Pie pans work too — just adjust edges and bake times slightly.

Conclusion

This Maple Pecan Tart with Shortbread Crust is a show-stopping dessert that beautifully combines autumnal warmth with refined elegance. With its buttery base and delightful maple-pecan filling, it’s destined to be the dessert that guests remember long after the celebration ends.