Pecan Pie Bites: Simple Mini Dessert Delights (Print Version)

Simple Pecan Pie Bites recipe. Delight in these easy mini desserts, perfect for gatherings or a sweet treat. My honest take on a classic!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 24 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Crust Foundation

01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - 3-4 tablespoons ice water

→ Sweet Pecan Filling

06 - ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
07 - ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
08 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
09 - ½ cup light corn syrup
10 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ The Star (Pecans)

13 - 1 ½ cups pecan halves

# Instructions:

01 - Start by whisking together the flour, a pinch of sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Then, cut your super cold butter into small cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces remaining. This is where I always get a little messy, honestly, flour everywhere! I love the feel of the cold butter mixing in; it just feels right for a good crust. Don't overmix, or your Pecan Pie Bites crust won't be flaky.
02 - Drizzle in the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to add too much water; I’ve definitely made it too sticky before, and that's a pain to roll out. Once it forms a shaggy ball, flatten it into a disc, wrap it in plastic, and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is crucial for a tender crust for your Pecan Pie Bites. I usually forget this step and then regret it when the dough fights me!
03 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Now, here's the fun part: use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles. Gently press each circle into the cups of a mini muffin tin. I always have a few odd-shaped ones, but hey, they still taste great! This is where you really start seeing your Pecan Pie Bites take shape.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well combined. It should look glossy and smell wonderfully sweet already. I once tried to rush this and didn't whisk enough, and the sugars didn't fully dissolve, which was a bit of a textural oops. Just keep whisking until it's uniform for your Pecan Pie Bites.
05 - Divide the pecan halves evenly among the prepared crusts in the muffin tin. Then, carefully pour the sweet filling over the pecans, filling each cup about two-thirds full. Don't overfill, or you’ll have a sticky mess bubbling over in your oven, which I’ve learned the hard way. I love how the pecans float up and peek out, promising deliciousness. These are truly easy Pecan Pie Bites to put together.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. The filling should be slightly jiggly in the center when you gently shake the pan. Let them cool in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Honestly, resisting the urge to eat them hot is the hardest part! These Pecan Pie Bites are worth the wait, I promise.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overbake! The filling should still have a slight jiggle when you pull them out; they'll set as they cool. Overbaking makes them too firm, which I learned the hard way.
02 - Store these Pecan Pie Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. They rarely last that long in my house, honestly.
03 - No pecans? Walnuts are a decent substitute for these Pecan Pie Bites! I tried it once, and it delivered a similar, comforting crunch.
04 - A dollop of fresh whipped cream or a tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream makes these Pecan Pie Bites extra special, trust me on this one!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Mini muffin tin
02 - mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - pastry blender (optional)
05 - rolling pin
06 - 2-inch round cookie cutter
07 - wire rack

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 150-200
Total Fat: 10-15g
Total Carbohydrate: 15-20g
Protein: 2-3g

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