Description
Buttery pecan tarts showcase Southern hospitality with a sweet nutty filling nestled in delicate pastry shells. Crisp pecans and caramel-like syrup create an irresistible dessert you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 grams) butter
- 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
Filling Ingredients:
- 3 cups (660 grams) packed brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup (100 grams) chopped pecans
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) melted butter
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously coat mini tart pans with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese using an electric mixer until achieving a silky, uniform consistency. Gradually incorporate flour, kneading until a cohesive dough forms.
- Portion the dough into 48 uniform spheres. Carefully place one dough ball into each greased tart cavity. Utilize fingertips or a specialized tart tamper to uniformly press and shape each ball into a delicate shell.
- Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl. Whisk in brown sugar, chopped pecans, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly until ingredients are completely integrated.
- Delicately spoon the prepared filling into the tart shells, ensuring each is filled approximately three-quarters full to prevent overflow during baking.
- Position the tart pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the edges turn a golden brown and the filling sets with a slight wobble.
- Remove tarts from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack, which helps them firm up and prevents soggy bottoms.
Notes
- Choose room temperature butter and cream cheese for smoother, easier dough mixing.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent sticking and ensure flakier pastry.
- Use a mini tart tamper or the back of a spoon to create uniform, thin tart shells for consistent baking.
- Prevent overfilling by carefully spooning filling just below the shell’s rim to avoid messy overflow during baking.
- Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor profile.
- Reduce sugar by using alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for a less sweet version.
- Cool tarts completely on a wire rack to maintain crisp pastry texture and prevent soggy bottoms.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 354
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 156 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg