Heavenly Pecan Tassie Nut Cups Recipe: Sweet Buttery Delights

Delightful pecan tassie nut cups bring a magical touch of Southern sweetness to your dessert table.

Compact pastry shells cradle a rich, caramelized filling that melts in your mouth.

Buttery pecans create a crunchy texture against the smooth, golden interior.

Bakers love how simple these miniature treats are to prepare.

Small enough to pop in one bite, they pack an incredible flavor punch.

Crisp and elegant, these bite-sized delicacies work perfectly for afternoon tea or holiday gatherings.

Whip up a batch and watch how quickly they disappear from the plate.

Why You’ll Love Easy Pecan Tassie Nut Cups

• Craft with Confidence: Perfect for bakers wanting to create impressive mini desserts without advanced pastry skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Treat: Miniature size makes these pecan tassies ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and holiday celebrations where sharing small bites is preferred.
• Texture Sensation: Combines flaky, buttery crust with rich, gooey pecan filling that delivers an irresistible combination of crunch and smoothness.
• Customize Your Creation: Easily adaptable recipe allows for personal touches like adding chocolate chips, changing nuts, or experimenting with different flavor extracts.

Ingredients for Nutty, Buttery Tassie Bites

• All-Purpose Flour: The essential foundation for creating a tender and flaky pastry shell.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and helps balance the richness of the butter.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides a rich, buttery taste and creates the signature flaky texture of the pie crust.
• Cold Water: Helps bind the dough together without developing too much gluten.

• Pecans: The star ingredient that gives these tassies their nutty and delicious character.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create a rich filling.
• Corn Syrup: Creates a smooth, glossy texture and helps prevent crystallization.
• Eggs: Act as a binding agent and provide structure to the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic flavor that complements the pecans.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, sweet dusting for visual appeal and extra sweetness.
• Whole Pecan Halves: Serves as a beautiful garnish and adds extra crunch to the tassies.

Simple Steps to Make Pecan Tassie Nut Cups

Step 1: Create Buttery Pie Crust Dough

Grab cold butter and dice into tiny cubes. Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Work butter into flour mixture using fingertips until it looks like coarse crumbs. Add cold water gradually, mixing gently until dough forms a soft ball. Avoid overworking the dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for half an hour.

Step 2: Set Up Baking Station

Warm oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup mini muffin tin thoroughly. Pull out chilled dough and roll thin on a floured surface.

Step 3: Shape Delicate Pastry Shells

Cut dough into small circles. Carefully press dough circles into muffin cavities, ensuring complete and even coverage. Trim edges neatly.

Step 4: Craft Luscious Pecan Filling

• Chopped pecans
• Brown sugar
• Corn syrup
• Melted butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Whisk all filling ingredients in a bowl until smooth and perfectly blended.

Step 5: Fill and Bake Tassies

Spoon filling into prepared dough shells, filling each about three-quarters full. Slide muffin tin into preheated oven.

Step 6: Perfect the Bake

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for golden crust and slightly jiggly filling. Remove from oven and let cool in tin for 10 minutes.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Carefully remove tassies from tin. Transfer to wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar. Top each with a whole pecan half for elegant presentation. Serve and enjoy these delightful mini desserts!

Pro Tips for Crunchy Shells and Gooey Centers

• Chill Butter Strategically: Cold butter creates flakier, more tender pie crust by preventing complete butter melting during mixing.
• Avoid Overworking Dough: Gently combine ingredients to maintain delicate texture and prevent tough, dense pastry results.
• Measure Filling Precisely: Fill muffin cavities only 3/4 full to prevent overflow and ensure even baking of pecan tassies.
• Control Baking Time Carefully: Watch closely during final minutes to achieve golden crust and perfectly set filling without overbaking.
• Select Quality Pecans: Choose fresh, intact pecans for maximum flavor and attractive presentation in these delicate nut cups.

Nut Cup Twists That Keep It Fresh

• Chocolate Pecan Paradise: Replace half the pecans with dark chocolate chips, creating a rich, decadent version with melted chocolate swirled throughout the filling.
• Maple Bourbon Burst: Swap corn syrup for pure maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon for a sophisticated, adult-friendly flavor profile that enhances the nutty pecan base.
• Coconut Caramel Crunch: Mix shredded coconut into the filling and drizzle with caramel sauce after baking, adding tropical sweetness and extra texture to the classic recipe.
• Salted Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle sea salt on top of the filling before baking and add a caramel drizzle after cooling, creating a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.

What to Serve With Your Pecan Tassies

• Sip Sweet Dessert Wine: Pair these rich pecan tassies with a chilled glass of moscato or late-harvest riesling that complements the nutty, caramel-like filling and enhances the dessert's sweetness.
• Brew Complementary Coffee: Match the tassies with a smooth, medium-roast coffee or a creamy cappuccino that balances the buttery crust and provides a warm, comforting contrast to the sweet pecan filling.
• Scoop Vanilla Companion: Top each tassie with a small dollop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that highlights the warm, gooey pecan center.

How to Store These Nutty Mini Treats Right

• Store cooled pecan tassies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual tassies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring complete protection from freezer burn.
• Keep in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days maximum, away from direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain crisp texture.
• Add small silica gel packet to storage container to absorb excess moisture and prevent softening of the delicate pastry crust.

Tassie Nut Cup FAQs for Curious Bakers

• What are the key ingredients for pecan tassies?

The key ingredients include flour, butter, pecans, brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, vanilla, and salt.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator.

• How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

Use cold butter, chill the dough before rolling, and ensure you press the dough thinly and evenly into the muffin tin.

• Why is it important to not overwork the dough?

Overworking develops gluten, which can make the crust tough instead of tender and flaky.