Easy Pecan Tassies: A Simple and Delicious Holiday Treat

These Easy Pecan Tassies are the perfect bite-sized treat for any occasion, especially during the holiday season. They are incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort, yet they deliver a rich, buttery, and nutty flavor that everyone will love. This recipe provides detailed step-by-step instructions, ensuring that even novice bakers can achieve perfect pecan tassies every time.

What are Pecan Tassies?

Pecan Tassies are miniature pecan pies, typically made in small muffin tins. They consist of a buttery pastry crust filled with a sweet and nutty pecan filling. Their small size makes them ideal for parties, potlucks, or as a delightful addition to your holiday dessert platter. Unlike a full-sized pecan pie, tassies are individually portioned, making them easy to serve and enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* Easy to Make: This recipe uses a shortcut by employing pre-made pie crust, significantly reducing preparation time.
* Minimal Ingredients: You only need a handful of readily available ingredients.
* Perfect for Any Occasion: These tassies are great for holidays, parties, or a simple sweet treat.
* Delicious Flavor: The combination of buttery crust, sweet filling, and crunchy pecans is irresistible.
* Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the tassies ahead of time and bake them just before serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* Refrigerated Pie Crust: One box (usually containing two crusts) of refrigerated pie crust. This is the biggest time saver, but you can certainly use your favorite homemade pie crust recipe if you prefer.
* Butter: Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. The butter provides richness and flavor to the filling.
* Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese adds a tangy richness and helps to bind the filling.
* Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar works well. Brown sugar adds a molasses-like flavor that complements the pecans.
* Egg: One large egg, lightly beaten. The egg acts as a binder and contributes to the filling’s smooth texture.
* Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the tassies.
* Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness of the filling.
* Pecans: Chopped pecans. Use good quality pecans for the best flavor. You can toast them lightly before chopping for an even more intense nutty flavor, though it is optional.

Equipment You’ll Need

* Mini Muffin Tin: Essential for creating the individual tassie shapes. A 24-cup mini muffin tin is ideal.
* Mixing Bowls: For preparing the filling.
* Electric Mixer: A stand mixer or hand mixer makes creaming the butter and cream cheese easier.
* Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measuring of ingredients.
* Rolling Pin: To slightly thin out the pie crust (optional, but recommended for a more delicate crust).
* Pizza Cutter or Knife: For cutting the pie crust into squares.
* Cookie Scoop or Spoon: For evenly distributing the filling into the tassie shells.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the oven rack is in the center position.
2. Prepare the mini muffin tin: Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray or butter. This will prevent the tassies from sticking.
3. Roll out the pie crust: On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out the refrigerated pie crust to slightly thin it. This step is optional but helps to create a more delicate crust.
4. Cut the crust into squares: Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the pie crust into approximately 2-inch squares. You should aim for roughly the same number of squares as muffin cups. You can re-roll scraps to get more squares, but try to avoid overworking the dough.
5. Press the crust into the muffin tin: Gently press each square of pie crust into a mini muffin cup, shaping it to fit the bottom and sides. Be careful not to tear the crust. You can use your fingers or a small tart tamper to help.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. Cream the butter and cream cheese: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
2. Add the brown sugar: Gradually add the brown sugar to the creamed butter and cream cheese, mixing until well combined and the mixture is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Incorporate the egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
4. Add the salt: Stir in the pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
5. Stir in the pecans: Gently fold in the chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the filling.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Tassies

1. Fill the tassie shells: Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to fill each pie crust-lined muffin cup with the pecan filling, filling them almost to the top. Be careful not to overfill them, as the filling may overflow during baking.
2. Bake the tassies: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crusts are golden brown and the filling is set. The filling should be slightly puffed and no longer jiggly.
3. Cool the tassies: Remove the mini muffin tin from the oven and let the tassies cool in the tin for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the filling to set further and makes them easier to remove.
4. Remove from the tin: Gently remove the tassies from the mini muffin tin. You can use a small offset spatula or knife to help loosen them if necessary.
5. Cool completely: Place the tassies on a wire rack to cool completely before serving. This will prevent the crust from becoming soggy.

Tips for Perfect Pecan Tassies

* Use softened butter and cream cheese: This is crucial for achieving a smooth and creamy filling. Make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before you start.
* Don’t overmix the filling: Overmixing can result in a tough filling. Mix until just combined.
* Avoid overfilling the tassie shells: Overfilling can cause the filling to spill over during baking, making the tassies messy.
* Check for doneness: The tassies are done when the crusts are golden brown and the filling is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
* Let them cool completely: Cooling the tassies completely before serving allows the filling to set properly and prevents the crust from becoming soggy.
* Toast the pecans (optional): Toasting the pecans before adding them to the filling enhances their flavor and adds a bit of extra crunch. To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant.
* Use high-quality pecans: The flavor of the pecans is a key component of these tassies, so use the best quality pecans you can find.
* Experiment with flavors: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a dash of bourbon to the filling for a unique twist.

Variations and Substitutions

* Different Nuts: While pecan tassies are traditionally made with pecans, you can experiment with other nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.
* Chocolate Chips: Add a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips to the filling for a chocolatey twist.
* Caramel Sauce: Drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce over the filling before baking for an extra decadent treat.
* Maple Syrup: Substitute some of the brown sugar with maple syrup for a richer, more complex flavor.
* Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pie crust to make these tassies gluten-free.
* Dairy-Free: Substitute the butter and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives to make these tassies dairy-free. Be sure to choose alternatives that behave similarly to dairy products for the best results.

Serving Suggestions

* As a dessert: Serve pecan tassies as a standalone dessert for any occasion.
* With coffee or tea: They pair perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea.
* On a dessert platter: Add them to a dessert platter with other holiday treats.
* As a gift: Package them in a decorative box or tin to give as a homemade gift.
* With ice cream: Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

Storage Instructions

* Room Temperature: Pecan tassies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
* Refrigerator: For longer storage, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
* Freezer: Pecan tassies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Make-Ahead Tips

* Prepare the filling ahead of time: The pecan filling can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before filling the tassie shells.
* Assemble the tassies ahead of time: You can assemble the tassies (fill the pie crust with the filling) a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Bake them just before serving.
* Freeze the baked tassies: Baked tassies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Reheat them in a low oven (300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes to warm them up.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: Approximately 150-200 per tassie (depending on the ingredients and portion size)
* Fat: 10-15g
* Carbohydrates: 15-20g
* Protein: 2-3g

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Recipe Card

Yields: 24 tassies
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

* 1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated pie crusts
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 large egg, lightly beaten
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
2. On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out the pie crusts. Cut into 2-inch squares.
3. Press each square into a mini muffin cup.
4. In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add brown sugar and beat until fluffy.
5. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Stir in salt and pecans.
6. Fill each crust with filling.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

These Easy Pecan Tassies are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Their simple preparation and delicious flavor make them the perfect treat for any occasion. Happy baking!