Are you craving a sweet treat that's both elegant and surprisingly easy to make? Look no further than these delightful pecan tassies! These little gems are perfect for a holiday gathering, a casual weeknight dessert, or even a special little something just for yourself. Forget complicated baking; this recipe is your shortcut to homemade deliciousness, proving that healthy meals and delicious dishes don't have to be mutually exclusive. Get ready to impress with minimal effort – let's get baking!
Ingredients:
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For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
- 2-4 tablespoons ice water
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For the Filling:
- 1 cup pecan halves
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for easy handling and prevents shrinkage during baking.
Preparing the Filling:
- Toast the pecans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the pecan halves on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant. This step enhances their flavor significantly.
- Combine filling ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, and salt. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter, and whisk until well combined. Stir in the toasted pecans.
Assembling and Baking the Tassies:
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thickness.
- Cut out circles: Use a 2 ½ - 3 inch cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles of dough.
- Fill the tassies: Press each dough circle into a mini muffin tin. Fill each pastry shell with the pecan filling, mounding slightly.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool: Let the tassies cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Pecan Tassies:
- Use good quality pecans: The flavor of the pecans really shines through, so splurge on good quality ones if you can.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will make the crust tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the dough thoroughly: This is essential for preventing the crust from shrinking during baking.
- Don't overbake: Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly tassies. Start checking for doneness around 18 minutes.
Variations:
- Chocolate Pecan Tassies: Add ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the filling.
- Spiced Pecan Tassies: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg to the filling.
- Mini Pecan Tassies: Use a smaller cookie cutter to make bite-sized tassies.
Nutritional Information (per tassie, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 200-250 (This will vary depending on the size of your tassies and ingredients used). This recipe offers a delicious balance between satisfying your sweet tooth and enjoying a treat that is part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
These easy pecan tassies are a perfect example of how quick dinner ideas can extend to delightful desserts. Enjoy the process of homemade cooking and the sweet reward of these delicious little treats!