Sweet Mini Pecan Treasures: Irresistible Pecan Pie Bites Recipe

Dessert enthusiasts go crazy for these delectable pecan pie bites that burst with southern charm.

A classic holiday treat meets bite-sized perfection in this irresistible recipe.

Sweet and crunchy pecans dance with rich caramel notes in every single morsel.

The compact size makes these little delights perfect for parties and gatherings.

Crisp pastry shells cradle a gooey filling that melts in your mouth with each bite.

Each small morsel delivers an explosion of traditional pecan pie flavor without the fuss of a full-sized dessert.

You’ll devour these miniature delicacies faster than you can say “seconds, please!” Prepare to fall in love with the most addictive sweet treat of the season.

Pecan Pie Bites: Small but Mighty Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base with delicate texture for the pie bites.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with golden browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the buttery crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky, rich layers with exceptional melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Ice Water: Binds ingredients together without activating gluten, ensuring tender crust.

• Pecans: Offers nutty crunch and rich, warm flavor that defines the classic pie.
• Dark Corn Syrup: Delivers deep caramel-like sweetness and glossy texture.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep molasses undertones and soft, moist consistency.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the filling with a silky smooth result.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic depth to complement the nutty pecans.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, subtle spice that elevates the overall flavor profile.

• Sea Salt: Sprinkles a delicate contrast that highlights the sweet pecan filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates an elegant, delicate dusting for visual appeal.

Tools That Help Form and Bake Pecan Pie Bites Easily

• Food processor: Crucial for mixing and blending pie crust ingredients smoothly.
• Plastic wrap: Essential for wrapping and chilling dough.
• Measuring tablespoon: Perfect for adding precise amounts of ice water.
• Rolling pin: Helps flatten dough evenly and consistently.
• Baking sheet: Used for shaping and baking pecan pie bites.
• Sharp knife: Useful for cutting dough into small portions.
• Mixing bowl: Optional for handling dough if not using food processor directly.

How to Bake Mini Bites Packed With Pie Flavor

• Prepare The Dough Mix ingredients in a food processor by pulsing flour, sugar, and salt until blended smoothly.
• Create Crumbly Texture Drop cold butter cubes into the processor and pulse quickly, watching the mixture transform into rough, sandy crumbs.
• Bind The Dough Drizzle ice water slowly into the processor, pulsing between additions until the mixtureally starts clumping together.
• Chill And Rest Shape the dough into a flat circle, snugly wrap in plastic, and let it relax in the refrigerator for a cool 30-minute break.

Switch Up the Nuts or Add Chocolate Drizzle

• Chill your dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that holds its shape beautifully during baking.
• Prepare the pie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, saving you precious time when ready to bake.
• Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make these pecan pie bites friendly for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Experiment with different nuts like walnuts or almonds if pecans aren't your favorite or aren't available in your pantry.
• Use a mini muffin tin to create perfectly portioned, bite-sized treats that are ideal for parties, potlucks, or elegant dessert spreads.

Serve at Parties or Holiday Gatherings

• Dessert Plate Elegance: Arrange these bite-sized pecan pies on a beautiful white ceramic plate with subtle gold rimming for an elegant presentation that catches everyone's eye.
• Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning appetizer display by clustering the pecan pie bites on a wooden charcuterie board, nestled between fresh berries and mint leaves for color contrast.
• Sweet Companion Pairing: Serve these delightful bites alongside a small glass of bourbon or rich vanilla cream, allowing guests to complement the nutty, caramelized flavor of the pecan filling with a complementary drink.
• Holiday Gift Charm: Package these mini pecan pies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, making them a charming homemade gift for friends and family during festive seasons.

Store Pecan Pie Bites for Sweet Munching Later

• Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain its texture during refrigeration, ensuring your pie bites stay fresh.
• These bite-sized treats can be frozen uncooked for up to 3 months. Layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container for easy storage and future enjoyment.
• Cooked pecan pie bites will stay delicious for 3-4 days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
• Prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep refrigerated. This technique allows flavors to develop and saves precious time during busy cooking sessions.

FAQs

• What type of flour works best for the pie crust?

All-purpose flour is ideal for this pecan pie bites recipe. It provides the right texture and structure for a flaky, tender crust that complements the sweet pecan filling.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pie crust dough up to 2 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll it out and bake. This makes the recipe more convenient for planning ahead.

• How do I know when the butter is incorporated correctly into the dough?

The mixture should look like coarse crumbs when you pulse the butter with the flour. This means the butter is evenly distributed and will create a flaky texture in the final crust. Don’t overmix, as this can make the crust tough.

• Is a food processor necessary for making the pie crust?

While a food processor makes the process easier and faster, you can also make the crust by hand using a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture. The key is keeping the butter cold and working quickly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 189 kcal

Servings: 13

Irresistible Pecan Pie Bites Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delectable pecan pie bites deliver Southern comfort in miniature form. Small pastry shells cradle rich caramel and toasted pecans, offering a perfect single-bite dessert you’ll crave at holiday gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (100 grams) pecans, chopped
• 1 ¼ cups (157 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (110 grams) brown sugar
• ½ cup (113 grams) butter, unsalted, cold and cubed
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) corn syrup, light
• 2 tbsps (25 grams) sugar, granulated
• 2 tbsps (28 grams) butter, unsalted, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 23 tbsps (341 milliliters) water, ice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until uniformly blended into a fine, even mixture.
2. Butter Integration: Add cold butter cubes and pulse swiftly, transforming the mixture into a crumbly, sand-like consistency with visible butter particles.
3. Dough Formation: Gradually introduce ice water while pulsing, allowing the ingredients to merge into a cohesive, smooth dough that cleanly separates from processor walls.
4. Shaping and Chilling: Gently mold the dough into a compact disk, wrap tightly in plastic film, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flakiness and stabilize texture.
5. Filling Creation: Whisk eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and silky smooth.
6. Pecan Distribution: Fold chopped pecans into the liquid mixture, ensuring even dispersion throughout the filling.
7. Pastry Rolling: Roll chilled dough to thin, uniform thickness on a lightly floured surface, cutting into small bite-sized circles.
8. Assembly: Press dough circles into mini muffin tins, creating delicate pastry shells with slightly raised edges.
9. Filling Placement: Carefully spoon pecan mixture into prepared shells, avoiding overfilling to prevent spillage during baking.
10. Baking Process: Position muffin tin in preheated oven at 350°F, baking for 20-25 minutes until filling sets and crust turns golden brown.
11. Cooling and Serving: Allow bites to cool completely in tin, then gently remove and arrange on serving platter for elegant presentation.

Notes

• Chill Butter Strategically: Keep butter extremely cold before processing to guarantee ultra-flaky, tender pastry crust with perfect crumbly texture.
• Avoid Overworking Dough: Pulse ingredients minimally to prevent gluten development, which could make crust tough and dense instead of delicate and light.
• Use Ice Water Precisely: Add water gradually and sparingly, stopping when dough just barely holds together to maintain optimal moisture without becoming sticky.
• Rest Dough Thoroughly: Refrigeration isn’t just about chilling – it allows flour to fully absorb moisture and butter to solidify, creating superior pastry structure and preventing shrinkage during baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 189
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg