Get ready to fall in love with the Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe, a delightful bite-sized treat that tastes like a mini pecan pie wrapped up in a melt-in-your-mouth, cream cheese pastry. These dainty tassies are the perfect marriage of buttery, flaky crust and sweet, nutty pecan filling, making them a party favorite and a go-to recipe for gatherings or cozy afternoons. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll find this recipe straightforward yet impressive—a nostalgic classic reinvented in the easiest possible way!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe is all about using simple, everyday ingredients to create that magical flavor and texture we all crave in a homemade dessert. Each component has its own job, working together to bring you the ultimate mini pecan pie experience.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): This is the backbone of both the crust and filling, adding richness and tenderness throughout.
- Cream cheese (3 ounces, softened): The secret to a wonderfully tender, tangy pastry that holds up perfectly to the sweet pecan filling.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): Provides structure to your bite-sized crusts, making every tassie sturdy enough to hold that delicious filling.
- Egg (1): Helps bind the filling together, ensuring the pecan mixture bakes up rich and glossy.
- Packed brown sugar (3/4 cup): Adds that essential caramel flavor to the filling, giving every bite a deep, homey sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (1 tablespoon, melted): Extra richness in the filling, for a silky-smooth bite.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings warmth and depth to the filling’s flavor, enhancing the pecans.
- Salt (1/8 teaspoon): Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and make all the flavors sing.
- Pecans, finely chopped (3/4 cup): The star! They add crunch, nuttiness, and that irresistible classic flavor.
How to Make Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Pastry Dough
Start by creaming together the softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture is perfectly smooth and light. This step creates the soft, rich foundation for each little tart. Then, gently mix in the flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. The dough may seem a bit tender, but that’s what makes the crust absolutely dreamy in texture! If you like, chill the dough for 15–20 minutes to make shaping it even easier.
Step 2: Shape the Tart Shells
Divide your dough into 24 roughly equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then press it into the bottom and up the sides of a mini muffin tin, making sure to cover the base and sides to create a little cup. These tiny shells will become the cradles for that luscious pecan filling—don’t worry about being too perfect; rustic edges are part of their charm!
Step 3: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gives your tassies the perfect environment to bake up golden brown and delicious. Make sure your rack is in the center of the oven for even baking.
Step 4: Mix the Filling
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans until everything is evenly distributed. This filling will puff up just a bit and set into a gooey, nutty bite during baking.
Step 5: Fill and Bake
Spoon about a teaspoon of pecan filling into each pastry shell—don’t be afraid to fill almost to the top, as the filling will puff but not overflow much. Slide your muffin tin into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the shells are golden and the filling looks glossy and set.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let your tassies cool in the pan for about five minutes to firm up a bit. Then gently remove them and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This final step ensures your Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe holds its perfect form—plus, it’s hard to resist sneaking a taste while they’re still a touch warm!
How to Serve Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe
Garnishes
Dress up your tassies with a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch or top each with a single pecan half before baking for extra flair. If you’re feeling decadent, a drizzle of caramel or a tiny dollop of whipped cream will make these bite-sized desserts even more enticing!
Side Dishes
Because the Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe is rich and sweet, they pair beautifully with a strong cup of coffee or espresso. For holiday platters, combine them with other mini desserts like lemon bars or thumbprint cookies to offer a variety of flavors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your tassies on a vintage cake stand or a rustic wooden board for that cozy, homey vibe. Arrange them in mini cupcake liners for easy pick-up at parties, or tuck a few into a pretty tin as an edible gift for friends and neighbors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover tassies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The crust will stay tender, and the filling keeps its classic chewy texture. For longer freshness, pop them into the fridge, where they’ll safely keep for up to a week.
Freezing
The Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe is perfect for making ahead! Arrange completely cooled tassies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separated by parchment paper. They freeze beautifully for up to three months—just let them thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
If you love your tassies a little warm, reheat them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5–7 minutes until just heated through. This revives the crust’s flakiness and brings out the cozy aroma of the pecan filling, but be careful not to overbake or the crust could dry out.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of making the dough?
While you could use store-bought crust in a pinch, the tangy cream cheese dough is what really sets this Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe apart. It’s worth those extra minutes for the best possible flavor and texture!
What’s the best way to chop pecans finely?
For neat, even pieces, use a sharp knife or pulse the pecans gently in a food processor. Just be sure not to over-process—tiny bits are great, but you don’t want pecan dust.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Swap in your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the same quantity. The cream cheese and butter base keeps the pastry soft and flavorful even with gluten-free flour.
Do I need to grease the mini muffin pan?
Most pans don’t need grease because the buttery dough releases easily, but a quick spritz of nonstick spray ensures the tassies pop out effortlessly after baking.
Can I double the Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Simply double all ingredients and use two muffin tins. This recipe scales beautifully and is a terrific option for any holiday cookie tray or office gathering.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—one of my personal favorites for sharing, gifting, or simply savoring with your afternoon coffee! The Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe proves you don’t need lots of time or fancy skills to whip up something memorable. Take a little time to treat yourself or your loved ones to these sweet, nutty treasures—you’ll be reaching for a second tassie before you know it!
Print
Easy Pecan Tassies Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 tassies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Pecan Tassies are delicious mini pecan pies encased in a cream cheese pastry shell. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as bite-size desserts any time of year.
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare Pastry: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the flour and mix into a soft dough. Divide into 24 pieces, press into mini muffin tin.
- Make Filling: Whisk egg, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Stir in pecans.
- Fill Shells: Spoon pecan filling into each shell.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until set. Cool before serving.
Notes
- Chilling the dough before shaping can make it easier to handle.
- Tassies can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for a week.
- These tassies freeze beautifully for future enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tassie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
