Pecan Tassies
Pecan Tassies are a traditional southern holiday recipe. These two-bite mini pecan pies make a delicious addition to your dessert tray.
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One of my favorite old fashioned holiday desserts is Pecan Tassies. A tassie (which is derived from a Scots word meaning “small cup”) is simply a miniature tart. There are lots of different kinds, but the pecan version is probably my favorite. It’s essentially a two-bite pecan pie. I ask you – how can that be bad?
I hope you enjoy these and maybe add them to your holiday baking list. They’re a lovely part of our southern comfort foodways.
How to Make Pecan Tassies
Begin by making the tart shell dough. Add the butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Turn the mixer to its lowest speed and gradually add the flour mixing until thoroughly combined.
Form the dough into a round and wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Refrigerate for one hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 24 miniature muffin cups with cooking spray. Place one ball of tart shell dough into each muffin cup.
Press with a tamper or use your fingers to form a shell. If you’re using a tamper, be sure to twist while pressing straight down to get the prettiest shape.
In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, egg, butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix well.
In each tart shell, place one teaspoon of chopped pecans.
Top with one teaspoon of the brown sugar filling mixture and one pecan half. Bake for 20 minutes or until the filling is set. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
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More Questions? I’m happy to help!
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Pecan Tassies
Ingredients
For the tart shells:
- 7 tablespoons butter softened
- 3 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For the filling:
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
- 24 pecan halves
Instructions
- Begin by making the tart shell dough. Add the butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Turn the mixer to lowest speed and gradually add the flour mixing until thoroughly combined.
- Form the dough into a round and wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Refrigerate for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 24 miniature muffin cups with cooking spray. Place one ball of tart shell dough into each muffin cup and press with a tamper or use your fingers to form a shell.
- In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, egg, butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix well.
- In each tart shell, place one teaspoon of chopped pecans and one teaspoon of brown sugar filling mixture. Top with one pecan half.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until filling is set. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
It’s interesting to see these as a Southern tradition (and of course they are!) but I’m a 65-year-old who grew up in the northeast and still make these every Christmas in memory of my mother, who was baking them for years before I came along. We called them “Nut Toshies.” My mother’s recipe is virtually the same as yours so I agree with how delicious they are.
I just found your site and have enjoyed browsing it!
Interesting how recipe names vary from place to place :-)
These were my dad’s all time favorite and I made them for him every Christmas until he died… Haven’t made them since then… maybe time after 12 years to dust off this wonderful recipe and make some. Can these be frozen??
Hi BonnieBee. I think you probably could freeze these but I haven’t tried it myself. If I did, I would be sure to let them thaw slowly in the fridge and then bring them to room temperature before serving.
Geez these look right up my taste bud alley. I have a pan like that. Where did I put it? I realize I haven’t seen it for a while. This is what happens when you reorganize you kitchen a year ago and have kind of forgot the ‘oh what a good idea’ spots for things.
We have a few pecan trees on the ranch and these sweet treats are on my list to make with my fresh pecans!
Ah, I never knew what Tassies were! They look so delicious and fun to make and eat. And I am nuts (ha ha) for pecans! Bookmarked!
I’ve never made tassies before, but these are so cute!
Sues
I bought it on Amazon – here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/BMI-43118-Wooden-Tart-Tamper/dp/B003UTNQMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416925557&sr=8-1&keywords=tassie+tamper&pebp=1416925549601
I cannot make a pecan pie to save my life.. I keep trying and keep throwing them away.
BUT PECAN TASSIES I can make! Love these
Tassies have been part of my holiday baking for many years.
Love how cute these bite-size treats are – someone at our annual cookie exchange used to make these – so good!
Who could resist these two bite pecan pies! I’ll take a dozen :)
Perfect little southern bites. Love them!
Thanks Jenni! They’re an old favorite for sure.