Description
These bite-sized pecan pie treats pack all the rich, buttery flavors of classic pecan pie into easy-to-enjoy mini portions. Featuring a flaky homemade crust and a sweet, gooey filling loaded with chopped pecans, these Pecan Pie Bites are perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or anytime you want a delightful sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 1/4 cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons cold water
For the Filling
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and cold cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Water to Form Dough: Add cold water gradually, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the crust tender.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut circles slightly larger than the mini muffin tin openings using a round cutter or glass rim.
- Form Crust in Pan: Press each dough circle gently into the greased mini muffin tin cups, shaping them to fit securely as mini pie crusts.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, whisk the egg, corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract together until smooth for the filling base.
- Layer Pecans and Filling: Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of chopped pecans into each crust, then add about 1 tablespoon of the filling mixture over the pecans, ensuring they are evenly covered.
- Bake: Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust turns golden brown.
- Cool: Allow the pecan pie bites to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy the bites at room temperature or slightly warm. For an added touch, dust them with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Use cold butter and water when making the crust to achieve a flaky texture.
- Do not overmix the dough as it can result in tough crusts.
- You can substitute light corn syrup with maple syrup or honey, but it may slightly alter flavor and texture.
- Make sure the filling is set to avoid runny centers.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling mixture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Reheat briefly in the oven or microwave before serving if desired warm.
