Mini Pecan Pies

These Mini Pecan Pies are the perfect bite-sized treats that combine a buttery shortbread crust with a rich pecan filling. Ideal for any gathering, they bring warmth and sweetness to your holiday table. With their delightful crunch and gooey center, these mini pies shine at Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations, making them a must-have dessert this season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: These mini pies come together quickly, allowing you to focus on enjoying time with family and friends.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of brown sugar and pecans creates a sweet and nutty flavor that everyone loves.
• Versatile Serving Options: Perfect for parties, potlucks, or as an everyday dessert, these mini pies fit any occasion.
• Perfect Portions: Each pie is just the right size for a satisfying treat without overindulging.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Bake in advance and store them for hassle-free serving when guests arrive.

Tools and Preparation

Before diving into the recipe, gather your tools to ensure a smooth baking experience.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Muffin tin (12-cup)
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Non-stick cooking spray

Importance of Each Tool

• Muffin tin: This is essential for shaping your mini pies perfectly. The individual cups create the ideal size for each pie.
• Mixing bowls: Having several bowls allows you to keep ingredients organized while mixing the filling and crust separately.
• Whisk: A good whisk helps combine ingredients smoothly, ensuring your filling is well-blended for even flavor.

Ingredients

These mini pecan pies are made with a buttery shortbread crust and a classic pecan pie filling. The perfect fall dessert to add to the Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert menu.

For the Crust

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup cold butter

For the Filling

• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped pecan

How to Make Mini Pecan Pies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your mini pecan pies bake evenly.

Step 2: Prepare Muffin Tins

Lightly spray two 12-cup muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent your pies from sticking during baking.

Step 3: Make the Crust

1. In a mixing bowl, combine all purpose flour and brown sugar.
2. Add cold butter in small pieces and mix until crumbly.
3. Press this mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup to form an even layer.

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

1. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, dark corn syrup, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
2. Stir in chopped pecans gently until well combined.

Step 5: Fill the Crusts

Pour the filling mixture into each prepared crust until almost full. Leave a little space at the top as they will puff up during baking.

Step 6: Bake

Place muffin tins in preheated oven. Bake for about 40 minutes or until filling is set and tops are lightly golden.

Step 7: Cool & Serve

Remove from oven and let cool in pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy these delicious Mini Pecan Pies as a sweet end to your special occasions!

How to Serve Mini Pecan Pies

These mini pecan pies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or looking for a sweet snack, here are some serving suggestions to elevate your dessert experience.

Individual Dessert Cups

• Serve each mini pecan pie in its own cup for an elegant touch. This allows guests to easily grab their dessert while keeping the presentation neat.

Whipped Cream or Non-Dairy Topping

• Top your mini pecan pies with a dollop of whipped cream or a non-dairy alternative. This adds a creamy contrast to the rich filling and enhances the overall flavor.

A Scoop of Ice Cream

• Pair these pies with vanilla or caramel ice cream for a delicious combination. The warmth of the pie meets the cold ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast.

Fresh Fruit Garnish

• Add fresh fruit like berries or slices of apples beside the pie. This not only adds color but also provides a refreshing balance to the sweetness of the pie.

Drizzle of Caramel Sauce

• A light drizzle of caramel sauce over the top can enhance the flavors and give an extra touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with pecans.

Coffee or Tea Pairing

• Serve your mini pecan pies alongside freshly brewed coffee or tea. The bitterness from these beverages complements the sweet and nutty flavors of the pies beautifully.

How to Perfect Mini Pecan Pies

Perfecting mini pecan pies is all about technique and attention to detail. Here are some tips to ensure your pies turn out delicious every time.

• Use chilled butter – Starting with cold butter helps create a flaky shortbread crust, which is essential for texture.
• Don’t overmix – When preparing your crust, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough pastry.
• Pre-bake the crust – Allowing the crust to pre-bake slightly before adding filling ensures it stays crisp and avoids sogginess.
• Monitor baking time – Keep an eye on your pies as they bake. If they start to brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil.
• Cool completely – Let your mini pecan pies cool down before serving. This helps set the filling for easier slicing.

Best Side Dishes for Mini Pecan Pies

Pairing side dishes with mini pecan pies can enhance your dessert table and provide variety. Here are some excellent options that complement these delightful treats.

1. Spiced Apple Cider – Warm spiced apple cider is a comforting beverage that enriches fall flavors and pairs wonderfully with desserts.
2. Roasted Sweet Potatoes – The natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes creates harmony with the richness of pecan pies.
3. Cranberry Sauce – A tangy cranberry sauce offers a refreshing contrast to sweet desserts, adding brightness to each bite.
4. Pumpkin Soup – A smooth pumpkin soup serves as a warm appetizer that sets up your meal perfectly before indulging in sweets.
5. Green Salad with Vinaigrette – A light green salad dressed with vinaigrette can cleanse the palate between bites of rich desserts.
6. Cheese Platter – An assortment of cheeses can balance out sweetness, offering guests savory bites alongside their sugary treats.
7. Nut Mix – A simple bowl of spiced nuts provides crunch and complements the nutty flavor profile of mini pecan pies.
8. Bread Rolls – Soft bread rolls can be served warm as a comforting side, perfect for soaking up any leftover flavors from other dishes on your table.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making mini pecan pies can be a delightful experience, but certain mistakes can ruin the fun. Here are some common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them.

• Bold mistake: Skipping the chilling step for the crust. Always chill your shortbread dough before rolling it out; this helps keep the crust flaky.
• Bold mistake: Overfilling the pie crusts. Fill each crust only about three-quarters full to prevent overflow during baking.
• Bold mistake: Using warm ingredients. Make sure all ingredients, especially butter, are cold. This ensures a better texture in your crust.
• Bold mistake: Not preheating the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F before baking to ensure even cooking and proper rise.
• Bold mistake: Forgetting to adjust baking time. Keep an eye on your mini pecan pies as they bake; smaller pies may require less time than full-sized ones.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store mini pecan pies in an airtight container.
• They will stay fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing Mini Pecan Pies

• Wrap individual pies tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
• Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag; they can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating Mini Pecan Pies

• Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and heat pies for about 10-15 minutes until warm.
• Microwave: Heat on medium power for 30-40 seconds; check and repeat if necessary.
• Stovetop: Use a skillet over low heat, covered, for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Mini Pecan Pies?

Mini pecan pies are bite-sized desserts featuring a buttery shortbread crust filled with a sweet pecan mixture. They make perfect treats for gatherings!

Can I customize Mini Pecan Pies?

Yes! You can add chocolate chips or dried fruits for extra flavor. Consider using different nuts too!

How do I know when my Mini Pecan Pies are done?

The filling should be set but slightly jiggly in the center when you take them out of the oven. They will firm up as they cool.

Can I make Mini Pecan Pies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the crust and filling separately and assemble them just before baking, or bake them ahead and store them as instructed above.

Final Thoughts

These mini pecan pies are not only delicious but versatile enough for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving or just want a sweet treat, these pies will impress everyone! Feel free to customize them with your favorite flavors or toppings. Enjoy your baking adventure!

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Mini Pecan Pies

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• Author: Lara
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 mini pies 1x

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Description

Indulge in these delightful Mini Pecan Pies, the perfect bite-sized desserts that feature a rich pecan filling enveloped in a buttery shortbread crust. Ideal for any gathering, these mini treats offer a warm and sweet finish to your holiday table. With a delightful crunch and gooey center, they are sure to impress at Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these Mini Pecan Pies are a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their dessert game.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup cold butter
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Mix in cold butter until crumbly, then press into the bottom of each muffin cup.
3. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, dark corn syrup, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Fold in chopped pecans.
4. Pour the filling into each crust until almost full.
5. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the filling is set and tops are golden.
6. Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 mini pie (30g)
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 9g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 50mg