PECAN PIE CLOSE-UP / SEA TURTLE / CC BY , IMG_5886 / ISABELLE / CC BY
Calling all nut lovers – satisfy your sweet tooth this season with you very own homemade pecan pie tarts! You shouldn’t have to settle for only a slice of pecan pie when you can have your very own mini-pecan tarts overloaded with healthy nuts and a gooey mixture of brown sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla. These pecan pie tarts are hands down my favorite dessert and make the perfect treat to toss in a zip-lock bag and take with you on the go. You can even make this recipe in advance and display the tarts on tiered cupcake holders for an elegant presentation and a warm welcome to the upcoming season. If you are looking for a Thanksgiving dessert or a mini gift for x-mas, I would definitely have these tarts at the top of my list.
Granny’s Mini Pecan Pie Tarts
- 2 (3-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and 2/3 cup butter at medium speed. Beat in flour and salt until combined and divide the dough in half. Flatten each half into a circle about 1 inch thick, wrap in plastic wrap and let it chill for 1 hour.
- Shape dough into 2-inch balls and flatten them. Place each into in 3-inch muffin cups, forming each into a shell and letting it form a lip above the cups. You can use a fork to press into the edges to make little decorative lines. Sprinkle pecans evenly in pastry cups.
- Whisk together eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, vanilla extract and salt until blended.
- Pour mixture evenly over pecans until pastries are full. Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes or until set.