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Why You’ll Love My Recipe
Mini pecan tassies are everything you love about pecan pie, but in a cute, bite-sized package! Think of them as the nutty version of a Canadian butter tart, complete with a tangy cream cheese pastry and a sweet pecan filling. They’re perfect for holiday dessert tables, gifting, or snacking straight off the cooling rack!
If pecan treats disappear fast in your house, too, try baking my Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup or Pecan Sandies next. And if you love classic Canadian treats, don’t miss Grandma Marion’s Butter Tarts for a guaranteed hit at any gathering!
Karlynn’s Recipe Notes
- Skill Level: This is an easy, reliable recipe that delivers festive, bakery-style treats without the complicated steps!
- Total Time: These Pecan Tassies are ready in 45 minutes from start to finish.
- Variations: Try adding raisins, maple syrup, or a pinch of cinnamon to the filling, and top your tassies with Old Fashioned Candied Pecans, Brown Sugar Icing Glaze or a drizzle of Easy Salted Caramel Sauce!
- Tools For This Recipe: You’ll need a medium-sized mixing bowl, a whisk or hand mixer, and a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
What You’ll Need for Ingredients
Cream Cheese: Use softened cream cheese at room temperature so your pastry stays soft and easy to handle. Karlynn’s Tip: If you forget to soften it, microwave it in 5-10-second bursts until just pliable, but not melted!
Pecans: This recipe calls for finely chopped pecans that blend right into the filling. Karlynn’s Tip: Mix in a few chopped walnuts or almonds for a different nutty combo.
Salted Butter: Butter is used in both the pastry and the filling for that classic, rich, tassie taste. It adds softness to the dough and enhances the nutty notes of the pecans.
Brown Sugar: This is what gives your filling its warm, caramel-like sweetness. Karlynn’s Tip: Light brown sugar keeps the flavor cozy and mild, while dark brown sugar adds extra richness and depth!
How To Make Pecan Tassies
This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Blend the cream cheese and butter until smooth with no lumps.
- Mix in the flour until combined, then chill for an hour in the refrigerator.
- Divide the chilled mixture into 24 balls and press the dough into your muffin tins.
- Sprinkle half of the pecans into the bottom of each pastry.
- Mix the filling ingredients until completely combined.
- Divide the filling between the cups, and sprinkle the remaining pecans on top.
- Bake in the oven at 325°F for 20 minutes until the filling has set and the pastry is golden brown.
- Cool completely in the tins, then remove and enjoy!
Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Pecan Tassies
- Don’t Skip the Cream Cheese Pastry: While a traditional pie crust might feel like the safe choice, give the cream cheese pastry a try! The cream cheese adds flavor and tenderness to your tassies, while the butter helps create that irresistible crispy edge.
- Understanding Pecan Season: Pecans are harvested in the fall, right when holiday baking season kicks off. They weren’t always big in Canadian kitchens, but now that you can find them anywhere, they’ve become a go-to cozy ingredient.
- Have Fun With Add-Ins: Feel free to customize your filling! Raisin lovers can toss in a handful before baking, or you can try chopped walnuts, almonds, or a sprinkle of shredded coconut for a fun twist.
Storage Instructions
These little treats are so tempting, they rarely last! But if you need to save a few, here’s how to store your batch so you can enjoy them again:
Refrigerator: Keep your tassies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Store them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 3–4 months, according to USDA food safety guidelines.
More Delicious Pie Recipes
These little bites are a delicious addition to your dessert spread and sit beautifully alongside butter tarts. If you want more Canadian-style bakes, try these next:
- Classic Apple Pie is always a crowd-pleaser and works at any dessert table!
- Campfire Cherry Hand Pies are perfect for a portable twist on a classic dessert you can enjoy anywhere.
- Coconut Custard Easter Pie is a creamy, festive treat that’s perfect for spring celebrations or anytime you want something a little different!
And that’s how you make the perfect Pecan Tassies! I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does.
Give these treats a try, experiment with flavors, and let me know how your batch turns out in the comments below. I always love hearing about your baking adventures!
Happy Baking!
Karlynn
Pecan Tassies
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Pastry
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened, at room temp
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Pecans
- ⅔ cup finely chopped pecans
Filling
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon melted salted butter
- 1 tablespoon whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, blend the cream cheese and butter together until smooth, with no lumps.
- Mix in the flour until completely combined. Chill for an hour.
- Preheat your oven to 325 °F. Get out a 24 well mini muffin tin.
- Once the mixture has chilled, divide and shape into 24 balls. Press the dough into each one, into the bottom and up the sides.
- Sprinkle half of the pecans into the bottom of each pastry.
- Mix together the filling ingredients until completely combined.
- Divide the filling between the cups. Divide and sprinkle the remaining pecans on top.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the filling has set and the pastry is golden brown.
- Cool in the tins completely, then remove.
Notes
- The raisin lovers can throw a handful of raisins in these as well (not traditional, but delicious!)
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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