Make the filling
1. To make the filling, add all ingredients, except pecans, and cook in a saucepan. Stir in the chopped pecans and let it cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Roll the puff pastry dough
2. Roll the dough out. Fill with the maple pecan filling. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter, to slice diagonal slits, leaving little space in between the filling and the cuts.
Fill with filling and braid
3. Fold the pastry slits inwards, overlapping each other. Tuck the top and bottom of puff pastry in.
Brush with egg wash and bake
4. Place the pastries with parchment paper on a baking sheet and brush the tops with beaten egg. Sprinkle with walnuts and bake in preheated oven 180 C / 355 F, for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.