Pecan Pie Bites Recipe

Introduction

Pecan Pie Bites are a delightful twist on the classic pecan pie, offering rich, nutty flavor in a perfect bite-sized form. These sweet treats are ideal for parties, holiday gatherings, or anytime you crave a little indulgence. With buttery crusts and gooey pecan filling, they’re sure to become a favorite.

The image shows a white bowl filled with small tarts that have two layers: the base layer is a golden brown, crumbly pastry shell, and the top layer consists of a glossy, sticky caramel filling studded with chopped pecans, giving a rich textured look. The tarts are piled together closely, showing their round edges and the uneven, natural shapes of the nut topping. The bowl is placed on a white cloth with red stripes, all set on a white marbled surface, with a blurred glass jar filled with pecans in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 and 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray and set it aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped pecans and toast them for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until they turn golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the crusts. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar together until creamy. Add the flour and salt, then beat until the dough is well combined.
  4. Step 4: Take a heaping tablespoon of dough and press it firmly into and up the sides of each mini muffin cup, forming the crusts.
  5. Step 5: Make the filling by stirring together 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar, light corn syrup, melted butter, and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir in the toasted pecans until they are well coated with the mixture.
  6. Step 6: Spoon about a tablespoon of filling into each crust, filling it about three-quarters full. Be careful not to overfill, as the filling will bubble over during baking. Don’t worry—you will add more filling after baking.
  7. Step 7: Bake the bites for about 15 minutes, or until the crusts just start to brown. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bites set for about 5 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Scoop another tablespoon of filling onto each bite after this brief resting. Allow the bites to cool completely in the pan before removing them carefully.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of bourbon to the filling mixture.
  • If you prefer a less sweet filling, reduce the brown sugar in the filling by 1/4 cup.
  • Make sure to toast the pecans gently to avoid burning, which enhances their natural flavor.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly into the muffin pan for uniform crusts.

Storage

Store the pecan pie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat briefly in a low oven to refresh the crust if desired.

How to Serve

A plate filled with about fourteen small pecan tarts, arranged in a loose pile. Each tart shows two layers: a golden-brown flaky pastry crust on the bottom, and a glossy, dark caramel pecan topping with chopped pecan pieces giving a textured look on top. The tarts sit on a piece of white parchment paper on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. Nearby, there is a glass jar filled with pecans, a wooden spoon with caramel sauce on it, and three glass bottles of milk in a metal holder to the upper left. Some pecan pieces are scattered on the surface next to the spoon, along with a white towel partially visible in the lower left. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

Yes, walnuts or almonds can be used as a substitute, though the flavor and texture will vary slightly.

Can I make the crust dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the crust dough a day in advance and keep it refrigerated, allowing it to firm up for easier handling when forming the crusts.

Print

Pecan Pie Bites Recipe

Deliciously rich and bite-sized pecan pies featuring a buttery crust filled with a gooey, sweet pecan filling. These Pecan Pie Bites are perfect for holiday parties or anytime you crave a classic pecan pie in a convenient mini form.

  • Author: Amaya
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 mini pecan pie bites 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For Toasted Pecans

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 and 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

For Crust

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For Filling

  • 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
  2. Toast pecans: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chopped pecans and toast them, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown. This enhances their flavor and adds a nice crunch.
  3. Make crusts: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar until creamy and smooth. Add the flour and salt, then beat again until the dough is well combined. Take a heaping tablespoon of dough and firmly press it into the bottom and up the sides of each mini muffin cup to form a crust.
  4. Prepare filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar, light corn syrup, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, then fold in the toasted pecans until they are well coated with the syrupy mixture.
  5. Assemble and bake: Spoon about one tablespoon of the pecan filling into each prepared crust, filling them about three-quarters full to prevent overflow during baking. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crusts begin to turn golden brown.
  6. Add additional filling and cool: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bites set for 5 minutes. Then carefully scoop another tablespoon of filling on top of each bite for extra gooeyness. Allow the pecan pie bites to cool completely in the pan before gently removing them to serve.

Notes

  • Be careful not to overfill the crusts initially as the filling will bubble over during baking.
  • Letting the bites cool completely ensures they firm up and are easier to remove from the pan without breaking.
  • For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of bourbon to the filling mixture.
  • Store leftover bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • You can substitute toasted walnuts for pecans if preferred.

Keywords: pecan pie bites, mini pecan pies, holiday desserts, bite-sized pies, pecan desserts, sweet treats

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