Sweet Bite-Sized Treats: Mini Pecan Tartlets Recipe for Fun

Sweet, buttery mini pecan tartlets dance with Southern charm, promising a delectable bite-sized dessert that captures rich pecan pie flavors.

Delicate pastry shells cradle a golden, caramelized filling that melts in your mouth.

These tiny treasures pack incredible taste into one perfect morsel.

Pecans roasted to perfection create a crunchy texture that complements the smooth, sugary center.

Every bite tells a story of classic comfort and indulgence.

Simple ingredients come together to create a dessert that will steal the show at any gathering.

You’ll fall in love with these irresistible mini treats that bring warmth and sweetness to your table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 152 kcal

Servings: 22

What Goes Into Mini Pecan Tartlets

• Pie Crusts: Buttery foundation that provides a delicate, flaky base for these delightful treats, choose pre-made crusts for convenience or use homemade for a personal touch.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweet champions that create a rich, caramel-like depth and provide perfect crystalline sweetness.
• Corn Syrup: Silky binding agent that ensures a smooth, glossy texture and prevents sugar crystallization.
• Melted Butter: Luxurious flavor enhancer that adds richness and helps blend ingredients seamlessly.
• Egg: Crucial binding element that gives structure and helps the filling set perfectly.

• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic essence that elevates the overall flavor profile with its warm, comforting notes.
• Salt: Subtle flavor enhancer that balances the sweetness and brings out deeper taste dimensions.
• Chopped Pecans: Crunchy stars that provide nutty complexity and delightful textural contrast.

Tools to Make Mini Pecan Tartlets with Ease

• Muffin Pan: 12-cup standard size, essential for shaping and baking the tartlets.
• Nonstick Cooking Spray: Crucial for easy removal of tartlets from the pan.
• Rolling Pin: Helps flatten pie crusts evenly and smoothly.
• Cookie Cutter or Glass (3.5-inch diameter): Perfect for cutting precise dough circles.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining filling ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and blending filling mixture.
• Dull Knife: Helpful for loosening tartlets from the pan after baking.

Mini Pecan Tartlets: How to Bake Them Right

• Oven Preparation

Set the oven to a warm 350 degrees. Grab a muffin pan and give it a generous spray of nonstick magic to ensure easy tartlet removal.

• Dough Transformation

Spread out pie crusts on a clean surface. Use a round cookie cutter or glass to create perfect circular dough shapes. Aim for 6 circles from each crust by cutting close together.

• Muffin Pan Setup

Gently press each dough circle into the muffin slots, making sure they climb halfway up the sides. Look for any tiny tears and smooth them out with your fingertips.

• Flavor Blend

Mix brown sugar, white sugar, melted butter, a cracked egg, corn syrup, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and chopped pecans in a bowl. Stir until everything becomes best friends.

• Filling Time

Spoon the delicious mixture into each dough cup. Don’t worry if it looks a bit sparse – these little treats will puff up during baking.

• Baking Magic

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Watch for the centers to set and stop wobbling around.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let the tartlets chill completely in the pan. Run a knife gently around the edges and carefully lift out these sweet little treasures. Invite friends and savor the nutty goodness!

Flavor Tips for Better Mini Pecan Tartlets

• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before chopping to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and add extra depth to the filling.
• Swap traditional pie crust with graham cracker or shortbread crust for a different texture and complementary sweetness to the pecan filling.
• Drizzle melted dark chocolate over cooled tartlets or sprinkle sea salt on top to create a gourmet twist that elevates the classic recipe.
• Prepare tartlet shells and filling separately up to two days in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and crisp texture.
• Garnish with a small dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a single whole pecan on top to add visual appeal and extra crunch.

Presenting Mini Pecan Tartlets for Any Occasion

• Serve with Creamy Companions: Pair these mini pecan tartlets with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enhance their rich, nutty flavor.
• Craft an Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange the tartlets on a beautiful serving tray, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few whole pecans for an impressive presentation that will wow your guests.
• Create a Cozy Beverage Pairing: Complement the sweet tartlets with a warm cup of coffee, rich espresso, or a smooth caramel-infused tea to balance the dessert's sweetness and bring out the deep nutty undertones.
• Elevate with Seasonal Touches: During holiday seasons, add a small sprig of mint or a cinnamon stick alongside the tartlets to create a festive and inviting dessert experience that captures the warmth of the moment.

Storage Solutions for Mini Pecan Tartlets

• Maximize Freshness: Store mini pecan tartlets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring they remain deliciously crisp and flavorful.
• Refrigerate with Care: When storing longer, place tartlets in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual tartlets tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These delightful treats can be frozen for up to 2 months, perfect for make-ahead dessert planning.
• Reheat with Gentle Touch: Thaw frozen tartlets at room temperature for 1-2 hours. For a warm serving, place in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their just-baked warmth and crispness.

Tiny Pecan Tartlets Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Delectable mini pecan tartlets showcase Southern charm with buttery pastry and rich caramel-like filling. Crisp edges and nutty flavors invite guests to savor this classic dessert that connects generations of baking traditions.

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Ingredients

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• 2 9-inch pie crusts (homemade or 1 14 oz store-bought refrigerated box)
• ½ cup pecans (finely chopped)
• ⅓ cup light corn syrup
• 1 large egg (beaten)
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick spray and heat oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal baking environment for delicate tartlets.
2. Dough Shaping: Roll out pie crusts and cut 6 circular shapes from each crust using a 3.5-inch cookie cutter, maximizing dough usage with minimal waste.
3. Crust Formation: Gently press dough rounds into muffin slots, carefully molding them to cover halfway up the sides and sealing any potential cracks or imperfections.
4. Filling Preparation: Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, melted butter, egg, corn syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and chopped pecans in a mixing bowl, whisking until ingredients form a smooth, cohesive mixture.
5. Filling Distribution: Pour pecan mixture evenly into prepared crusts, allowing room for natural expansion during the baking process.
6. Baking Process: Place muffin pan in preheated oven and bake for 23-27 minutes, monitoring until filling sets and edges turn golden brown, with centers becoming slightly firm and stable.
7. Cooling and Serving: Allow tartlets to cool completely in the pan, then carefully remove using a thin spatula. Plate at room temperature and optionally garnish with a light powdered sugar dusting or whipped cream dollop.

Notes

• Maximize Crust Cutting: When cutting pie crust circles, strategically position the cutter to get the most rounds possible, minimizing dough waste.
• Prevent Crust Tears: Gently press dough into muffin cups and repair any gaps immediately to ensure a smooth, leak-proof tartlet shell.
• Watch Baking Time Carefully: Tartlets can quickly overbake; look for a slightly firm center and golden edges as your key doneness indicators.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let tartlets cool completely in the pan to help them set properly and prevent breaking during removal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 152
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 62 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg