Description
Miniature Southern delights, these pecan pie bites deliver classic dessert comfort in one irresistible package. Buttery pastry and rich caramel-like filling showcase traditional flavors that welcome guests into a warm culinary embrace you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Liquid Ingredient:
- 23 tablespoons (1.4375 cups) ice water
Instructions
- Craft the pastry foundation by pulsing flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until evenly distributed.
- Introduce cold butter cubes and pulse the mixture until it transforms into a textured, crumbly consistency.
- Gradually incorporate ice water, tablespoon by tablespoon, continuing to pulse until the dough coheres into a unified mass.
- Shape the dough into a compact disk, encase it in plastic wrap, and allow it to rest and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of half an hour.
- In a separate mixing vessel, vigorously whisk brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and egg until the mixture achieves a silky, homogeneous texture.
- Fold chopped pecans into the liquid mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the filling.
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- On a generously floured surface, roll the chilled dough to a delicate 1/8-inch thickness.
- Using a circular cutter, carefully cut out rounds and gently press each into the muffin cavities, creating petite tart shells.
- Delicately spoon pecan filling into each shell, taking care not to exceed the rim.
- Transfer the filled tin to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the filling sets and the crust develops a golden-brown hue.
- Allow the bites to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, facilitating easy removal.
- Carefully transfer the bites to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling.
- Serve at ambient temperature or slightly warmed, optionally crowned with a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that holds its shape perfectly during baking.
- Use cold butter and ice water when making the crust to create those signature buttery, crisp layers that melt in your mouth.
- Toast the pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and add an extra layer of depth to the filling.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same measurements and mixing technique.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg