Description
Delight in these mini pecan pies, a sweet, nutty, caramel-like classic dessert perfect for any gathering. Quick to assemble and a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) cold, unsalted butter
- 8 oz (226g) softened cream cheese
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup (180ml) corn syrup or maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (170g) pecans, halved or chopped
Instructions
- Make the Crust: In a food processor or with a pastry blender, combine 1 cup cold butter, 8 oz softened cream cheese, and 2 cups all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just until combined. Chill the dough for 30 minutes – this makes it much easier to work with.
- Shape the Crusts: Roll small balls of dough (about 1 tbsp each) and press them evenly into mini muffin tins (yields 24 mini pies). I find using my thumb works best to create an even shell. No need to pre-bake the crusts!
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar, ¾ cup corn syrup or maple syrup, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. This gooey filling comes together quickly. Stir in the 1 ½ cups pecans until well coated.
- Fill and Bake: Carefully spoon the pecan filling into each unbaked crust, filling about two-thirds full. This prevents bubbling over during baking.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the crusts are golden and the filling is set. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean, indicating the filling is perfectly cooked.
- Cool Completely: Let the mini pecan pies cool in the tins for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully. Cooling ensures they set properly and makes them easier to remove. Always cool completely for best texture.
Notes
- Smart Swaps: Swap corn syrup for pure maple syrup or golden syrup for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Nutty Twist: Consider mixing in a few chopped walnuts with your pecans.
- Quality Ingredients: Opt for organic butter and locally sourced pecans for premium flavor.
- Sourcing Tip: Look for fresh, plump pecans; quality makes a difference.
- Time Saver: For a super-fast version, use store-bought mini phyllo shells or pre-made mini pie crusts.
- Easy Cleanup: The filling comes together in a single bowl, simplifying cleanup.
- Avoid Common Mistakes: Do not overfill the crusts to prevent spillage and ensure even baking. Always cool completely for best texture.
- Nutrition Note: Nutritional data is an estimation based on standard recipe values, as it was not provided in the original article.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: {{Pecan Tassie Recipe Mini Pecan Pies}}