My 5-Ingredient Maple Pie Is So Much Easier Than Pumpkin Pie

When the fall holidays roll around, I’m always looking for desserts that feel festive but don’t demand an entire afternoon in the kitchen. This maple pudding pie fits the bill beautifully—it feels special without being fussy to make. While pumpkin desserts usually get all the attention at this time of year, I love surprising people with maple instead

This no-bake pie is going to be my go-to for holiday gatherings this year. It’s creamy, silky, and deeply sweet, with that unmistakable maple flavor that feels like fall in every bite. The recipe is simple enough to throw together on a busy holiday morning (or the day before!), but it still brings all the cozy comfort of a classic fall dessert. I love that it feels a little unexpected on the dessert table—something different from your classic apple or pecan, yet just as festive and satisfying.

This pie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and exactly the kind of low-stress dessert that makes entertaining feel more like fun than work.

Key Ingredients for My Maple Pudding Pie

• A graham cracker crust: I call for a store-bought graham cracker crust (I like Keebler’s Graham Ready Crust here) to keep things easy, but this pie would be great with a homemade version or even an oatmeal pie crust, too. 
• Vanilla pudding mix: Instant vanilla pudding mix is a shortcut to keep the filling quick and easy to make, and adding maple syrup to it gives it tons of fall-forward flavor. Make sure you grab instant mix (such as Jell-O), not the kind that needs to be cooked.
• A little salt: The salt in the pie filling helps to balance the sweetness of the maple syrup, enhancing its deep caramel flavor. Make sure not to skip it! A little extra flaky salt on top also offers a welcome touch when serving, if you love a salty maple moment.
• Homemade maple whipped cream: I first tried this recipe with store-bought whipped topping, such as Cool Whip, on top, but it was far too sweet. Making homemade maple whipped cream is really worth it here!