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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Filling Distribution: Pour pecan mixture evenly into prepared crusts, allowing room for natural expansion during the baking process.
- 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.
- 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