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
- 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
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until uniformly blended into a fine, even mixture.
- Butter Integration: Add cold butter cubes and pulse swiftly, transforming the mixture into a crumbly, sand-like consistency with visible butter particles.
- Dough Formation: Gradually introduce ice water while pulsing, allowing the ingredients to merge into a cohesive, smooth dough that cleanly separates from processor walls.
- 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.
- Filling Creation: Whisk eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and silky smooth.
- Pecan Distribution: Fold chopped pecans into the liquid mixture, ensuring even dispersion throughout the filling.
- Pastry Rolling: Roll chilled dough to thin, uniform thickness on a lightly floured surface, cutting into small bite-sized circles.
- Assembly: Press dough circles into mini muffin tins, creating delicate pastry shells with slightly raised edges.
- Filling Placement: Carefully spoon pecan mixture into prepared shells, avoiding overfilling to prevent spillage during baking.
- Baking Process: Position muffin tin in preheated oven at 350°F, baking for 20-25 minutes until filling sets and crust turns golden brown.
- 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