Pecan Tassies Recipe: A Delightful Treat for Any Occasion
Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that will impress your guests? Look no further than pecan tassies! These bite-sized treats are perfect for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to casual afternoon tea. This recipe will guide you through creating these delightful little pastries, ensuring a perfect outcome every time.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 24 pecan tassies. Adjust the ingredient quantities as needed to match your desired number of tassies.
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup pecan flour (or substitute with finely ground pecans)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ¼ cup cold vegetable shortening, cubed
- 5-6 tablespoons ice water
For the Pecan Filling:
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pecan flour, and salt.
- Cut in Fats: Add the chilled cubed butter and shortening to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the fats into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Ice Water: Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Do not 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 helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
Preparing the Pecan Filling:
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
- Add Pecans: Gently fold in the pecan halves.
Assembling and Baking the Tassies:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll Out 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 to cut out circles of dough.
- Fill and Bake: Press each dough circle into a mini muffin tin. Fill each pastry shell with about 1 tablespoon of the pecan filling.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool: Let the pecan tassies cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Pecan Tassies:
- Use good quality pecans: The flavor of the pecans will greatly impact the overall taste of your tassies.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will result in a tough crust.
- Chill the dough thoroughly: This prevents shrinkage and ensures a flaky crust.
- Don't overbake: Overbaking will result in dry tassies.
- Store properly: Store your pecan tassies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions:
These delectable pecan tassies are wonderful served on their own, or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra decadent treat. They also make excellent gifts!
Enjoy baking and savoring these delightful pecan tassies! Let us know in the comments how yours turned out.
