Pecan Pickups
Pecan Pickups are delectably soft tarts in miniature, filled with a sweet gooey brown sugar nectar and freshly chopped nuts. The earthy autumn undertones of these bite-size desserts are a perfect fit for the cooler seasons. Make Granny’s Pecan Pickups the centerpiece of this year’s Christmas cookie tray. But you may want to plan on making a double batch since these tasty tarts are usually the first to go!
Like most dessert recipes using pecans, Pecan Pickups are influenced by Southern home-cooking traditions. The sweet and buttery flavors of pecan add a unique profile to these pastry cups. Pecan Pickups are essentially tiny little pecan pies - perfect for an on-the-go treat!
Ingredients
Crust
3 ounces (85 grams) cream cheese
1 stick (113 grams) butter or margarine
1 cup flour
Filling
3⁄4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons melted butter
1⁄2 cup finely chopped pecans
1 egg
Method
- 1. Mix cream cheese, butter, and flour. Using a junior size muffin tin, place the size of a small walnut into each muffin hole. Chill for about ½ hour. Then, form the dough with your thumb.
- 2. Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Combine the brown sugar, vanilla, melted butter, pecans, and egg. Place 1 teaspoon mixture into each pastry shell.
- 3. Bake for 20 minutes.
