Miniature Pecan Pies

A delicious dessert for any occasion! Perfect guilt-free portion size.

I made this dessert during Christmas time and I found it to be perfectly festive! My Pecan Pies can be whipped up within an hour and make for a great crowd pleaser!

For adult guests the Pecan Pies can be served with whipped or pouring cream and for the kids ice-cream or custard will do just fine! I usually aim to make two per person- rather leftovers than not enough!

The shortcrust pastry can be prepared ahead of time and shop-bought pastry can be used. However, I make my pastry right before adding the nutty filling and it always works out great!

Miniature Pecan Pie Recipe

Makes 18 pies

Ingredients

For the crust:

Cake flour 320 g

Salt 1/2 teaspoon

Salted butter 250 g

Cold water 125 ml

For the filling:

Pecans 250 g (very roughly chopped)

Large eggs 3

Golden or maple syrup 240 ml

Light brown sugar 100 g

Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon

Salted butter 60 g (melted)

Salt 1/4 teaspoon

Cinnamon 1 teaspoon

Instructions

For the crust:

1. Mix together the flour and salt

2. Add butter

3. Using your fingertips rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles rough breadcrumbs

4. Add water little by little until a smooth dough forms

5. DO NOT overwork the dough as this can result in a tough end product

6. Roll dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and place into the fridge while filling is prepared

For the filling:

7. Preheat the oven to 180°C

8. In a large bowl mix all the ingredients (very well) together

9. Leave filling aside

10. Prepare a cupcake baking tray with Spray&Cook

11. On a floured work surface roll out the pastry ( 3 mm thick)

12. Using a round cookie cutter cut out circles from the rolled out dough (use the size of your cupcake tray to judge the size of cookie cutter needed)

13. Place circles of dough into each cupcake hole- push pastry down slightly to ensure no air-bubbles are trapped under the pastry

14. Place 2 tablespoons of the pecan filling into each pastry cup

15. Place into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until filling has bubbled up and become firm

Pies can be served immediately (while warm) or cold. Pies can be kept in the fridge for up to a week and frozen for 3 months!

Enjoy!

With Love,

The Farmer's Wife

xxx