If you have room on your Christmas cookie trays for one more cookie this is the recipe you have to try. Pecan Tassies have been around forever – who hasn’t made them at least once ? – and they are always the cookie I take to cookie exchanges because I know that everybody most people love them. I discovered this updated version of the classic little tassie last year on the Food Network when I was looking for one of Paula Deen’s casserole recipes. Leave it to Paula to add an ingredient to an everyday recipe that kicks it over the top of the flavor and richness charts. The little toffee brickle chips (I used Heath brand) are a perfect addition to these beautiful little pecan pies. I served them yesterday at a tea and they got rave reviews.
Paula uses premade sheets of pie crust, but by the time I fussed with it and cut it out to a good size I could have made my own cream cheese tart recipe. And homemade crust is so much better. The crust recipe here is mine…the filling is Paula’s.
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- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1 10-ounce package almond brickle chips
- Mix together butter and cream cheese until thoroughly blended. Add powdered sugar and flour and mix until well blended. Form dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Form 1 heaping teaspoon of dough into a ball and press into mini-tart tins, lining the bottom and sides evenly. I use a little tamper from Pampered Chef that is specifically made for this.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, flour and eggs in a large bowl, mixing well. Add the vanilla. Stir in the pecans and brickle chips. Spoon filling evenly into the tart shells. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until filling is set and the crust is lightly browned. Cool in pans about 10 minutes, then carefully remove them and finish cooling on a wire rack.
I thought pecan tassies could not get any better. Obviously I was wrong!! I grew up with these tasty treats (in the south, of course) and made my first ones from the original Williamsburg Cookbook.
Enjoy yours, Cathy, and have a lovely Christmas and a healthy and happy new year.
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie recently posted..Merry Christmas!
These are Southern treats that have made themselves known over the years throughout the holidays. Have a wonderful holiday season Cathy. I know it will be filled with good food and family!
bellini recently posted..My Version of Thousand Layer Lasagna with Garlic Bread Baked in Parchment
Hmm..I wonder if we have those little additions here? they look so good..a bit like our butter tarts but your cream cheese crust is so different..Merry Christmas..pretty little things:)
Monique recently posted..Soul Food #119~
They do look really, really good! I wish I had a few right now 🙂
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Cathy!
Carol @There’s Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..Cider Baked Apples
Best, best, best cookies EVER!!! I’m so glad you made these this year! Cody and I will help you eat them =o)
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..Meet Zachary – Our Elf on the Shelf
Love me some Paula Deen recipes:-)…these sound great. Pecan Tassies are definitely a favorite and the Toffee would give it even more of a Praline taste. Yum. Will have to remember this one.
Becki’s Whole Life recently posted..Spiced Pecans with Cinnamon and Sea Salt
So funny I just took out all my ingredients to make my Pecan Tassies…..I may just have to rethink this!
They look gorgeous!
Merry Christmas Cathy!
L~xo
Linda recently posted..Latkes…Chanukah Joy and Light….
Yes, I think everybody loves these! Merry Christmas, Cathy!
Karen recently posted..Jalapeno-Cream Cheese Swirls
I do love these, but the addition of the almond brickle chips sounds even better! Paula does have a way of making tried and true recipes even better. Yours look amazing Cathy.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Lynda recently posted..Tortilla Pinwheel Appetizers
These are one of my favorite Christmas treats and I love the addition of the Heath chips in these!
Have a very, Merry Christmas, Cathy!
Susan recently posted..Pecan Shortbread Cookies~
My sister makes these but I don’t think she adds those brickle chips…thanks for telling us about them. I have a bag in the pantry right now & I just may doing up some …if not before Christmas Sunday, then the following week.
Merry CHRISTmas, Cathy!
Hugs,
Rett
Rettabug recently posted..♫♫ Merry Christmas, Everybody! ♫♫
Thanks for the updated recipe – love Tassies! Thank you for ALL your recipes – love your blog.
Merry Christmas to all – may God’s blessings be upon you.
What a wonderful tea time treat Cathy! I love pecans and toffee so this is a perfect recipe for me!
Karen
Karen recently posted..Day Twenty Two on the Advent Calendar and Christmas Deli Salad with Pomegranate, Parma Ham and Gorgonzola
Oh yummy!! I’m going to make these after the holidays for a shower. I have made them, Cathy, but not with the brickle. Your picture looks wonderful!! Merry Christmas!!
Kitty recently posted..Pinecone Cheeseball
Yep, they look great! I might be the only person that hasn’t tried a tassie yet… gotta fix that:@) Wishing you and wonderful Christmas Cathy!
Merry Christmas Cathy!
Lea Ann recently posted..JaJa French Bistro, Littleton, CO
I have never made these, but they do look delicious. Very little baking was done here this year. I think maybe after the holidays I will do some baking and enjoy. This would be a good one to do also for a tea party.
Marilyn recently posted..Glitter and Shine
Yes, these ARE one of my favorites! I’m looking forward to Saturday when we visit my grandma, cuz I know she’ll have some! I hope you and your family have an amazing Christmas and New Year 😀
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Double-Vanilla Walnut Meringue w/ Vanilla-Sugared Cranberries {…inspired by Christmas in Connecticut}
I love pecan tassies. I used to have a version with cranberries and walnuts. I need to find it again. It’s that darned cookie crust that’s sinfully addicting. Next year, I’m going to plan my cookie baking ahead of time. I really missed out. Tassies were on the list!
Foodiewife recently posted..Sweet Potato Casserole, Redux– and some of my Christmas menu to come
Good golly! Just when I thought my Xmas cooking was over … These look sensational!!! Have a wonderful Xmas!!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..Australia’s Scenic Public Toilets #20 – The Best Alien Pit-Stop this side of the Galaxy! Wycliffe Well, NT
My tray always has room for wonderful treats such as these. They bring back fond memories of Christmas past where a lovely lady always brought them to work during the holidays.
Merry Christmas Cathy to you and your family.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..There’s no place like home for the holidays
They look great and I know how delicious they are. About my fave Christmas cookie. Here’s wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Cathy!
oh wow they look aweseom, I am drooling! Merry Christmas to u ! =)
Your Pecan Toffee Tassies do look really good and I am sure they tasted even better! Wishing you and family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Cathy:)
Jeannie recently posted..Cantonese fried beehoon (vermicelli)
I remember making these years ago; your photos…picture perfect. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Rita
They look delicious and I am betting, they could easily become our favorite.
Casey recently posted..Fried Rice – My Way
These are a favorite and yours are just fantastic!
Magic of Spice recently posted..What’s for Lunch? Winter Citrus Salad with Currants and Goat Cheese