Nothing says Christmas like the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked treats filling your home. This festive season, treat yourself and your loved ones to the delightful flavors of these Mini Pecan Pies. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bite-sized delights will surely become a favorite at your dessert table. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these mini pies are a wonderful addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
**Mini Pecan Pies**
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 2-3 tablespoons ice water
– 1 cup pecans, chopped
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup brown sugar
– ½ cup corn syrup
– 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing a mini muffin tin.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the bowl. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined. Stir in the chopped pecans until evenly coated.
5. Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface to about ⅛ inch thickness. Using a round cutter slightly larger than the size of your mini muffin tin openings, cut out circles of dough.
6. Gently press each dough circle into the prepared mini muffin tin, ensuring they cover the base and sides of each cavity. Prick the bottoms of the dough with a fork to prevent them from puffing up during baking.
7. Fill each dough-lined cavity with the pecan filling, ensuring not to overfill.
8. Bake the mini pecan pies in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
9. Remove the mini pies from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once cooled, serve these delightful Mini Pecan Pies on a festive platter and watch them disappear as your friends and family indulge in the rich, nutty flavors of these holiday treats.
These Mini Pecan Pies are not only delicious but also a joy to make. With their buttery crust and sweet pecan filling, they embody the essence of the holiday season in each bite. So, gather your loved ones, put on some festive music, and create cherished memories as you bake and enjoy these delightful mini pies together.
