Irresistible Chocolate Pecan Tassies: Mini Pecan Pies with a Flaky Cream Cheese Crust
Prepare to fall in love with these delightful Chocolate Pecan Tassies! Imagine the quintessential taste of pecan pie, but elevated with a luxurious hint of chocolate, all nestled within a tender, flaky cream cheese crust. These bite-sized wonders offer the perfect amount of chocolate pecan pie goodness, making them an ideal addition to your holiday dessert spread or a cherished treat any time the craving strikes.
Part of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies tradition, these tassies are truly a year-round favorite!
When in Doubt, Always Add Chocolate!
From the very first taste of sweetness, chocolate has been an undeniable force in my life. That monumental, life-altering moment when my mom presented me with a three-tier chocolate cake for my first birthday blossomed into a full-blown obsession. This wasn’t a casual “I enjoy chocolate occasionally” kind of affinity; rather, it evolved into a deeply ingrained “strict chocolate rules must be enforced” type of devotion, a playful yet serious commitment to this divine indulgence.
My Personal Chocolate Commandments (Mostly)
Over the years, a few guidelines have emerged from my unyielding love for chocolate:
- No chocolate before noon. (Sometimes 2:00 PM if I’m having an exceptionally disciplined day!)
No chocolate after 8 PM.<– Let’s be honest, this rule rarely, if ever, survives the evening.- No eating chocolate straight from the bag – proper portioning and presentation are key!
- No chocolate on the couch… umm… oops. A work in progress!
{It should be noted, parenthetically, that I genuinely strive to adhere to at least one of these rules at all times! The struggle is real, but worth it for chocolate of this caliber.}
It was in the midst of one such blissful chocolate frenzy several months ago that a brilliant question popped into my mind: What transformative magic would unfold if I were to introduce chocolate to my beloved great-grandmother’s classic pecan tassies? The answer, my friends, was nothing short of pure, unadulterated magic!
Chocolate pecan magic, to be precise, is what truly happens when these two irresistible flavors unite in such a delightful way!
The Perfect Fusion of Classic & Chocolatey Goodness
These Chocolate Pecan Tassies encapsulate all the rich, comforting pecan pie flavors you adore, now graced with a subtle yet impactful hint of chocolate. The combination is simply divine. The signature cream cheese crust, which is melt-in-your-mouth tender and incredibly flaky, forms the perfect vessel for the sweet, gooey brown sugar pecan pie filling, now made even more decadent with mini chocolate chips. Each bite is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more.
You will absolutely adore these sweet treats, not just for the holidays, but truly all year round! The date on the calendar never deterred my great-grandmother from sending me home with several dozen of her famous tassies. And rightly so!
No, ma’am. Tassies are unequivocally a year-round delight in our family. The only real challenge now is the delightful dilemma of choosing between the cherished original pecan tassies and these new, irresistible chocolate-infused versions. It’s a choice almost as difficult as deciding between a slice of rich bourbon pecan pie or what I consider to be the absolute best classic pecan pie during festive seasons!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Chocolate Pecan Tassies
Beyond the simple fact that they are utterly delicious, there are several reasons why these Chocolate Pecan Tassies will quickly become a cherished recipe in your kitchen:
- Irresistible Flavor Profile: The classic nutty sweetness of pecans pairs flawlessly with the rich bitterness of chocolate, all balanced by the buttery brown sugar filling. It’s a familiar comfort with an exciting new twist.
- Perfectly Portioned: Their mini size makes them ideal for entertaining, cookie exchanges, gifting, or simply enjoying a small, satisfying treat without overindulging.
- Nostalgic Appeal: Rooted in a beloved great-grandmother’s recipe, these tassies carry a sense of tradition and home-baked love.
- Year-Round Versatility: While perfect for holiday cookie trays, their delightful flavor means they’re equally at home at a summer BBQ, a cozy fall gathering, or as an anytime pick-me-up.
- Distinctive Cream Cheese Crust: This isn’t just any crust. The cream cheese lends an unparalleled tenderness and flakiness that sets these tassies apart from other mini pies.
Mastering the Flaky Cream Cheese Crust
The secret to these truly exceptional Chocolate Pecan Tassies lies in their unique cream cheese crust. Unlike traditional pie crusts, the inclusion of cream cheese creates a dough that is not only incredibly tender and flaky but also surprisingly easy to work with once you get the hang of it. The richness of the cream cheese complements the sweet filling beautifully, adding a subtle tang that elevates the entire dessert.
When preparing the dough, ensure your butter and cream cheese are well-chilled. This is crucial for achieving that desirable flaky texture. Cut the fats into small pieces and work them into the flour until the mixture comes together. Don’t be afraid to keep blending past what you might expect for a standard pie crust; this dough needs to be cohesive. Dividing the dough into equal portions, perhaps with the aid of a kitchen scale, ensures uniform tassies. Pressing the dough into the miniature muffin tins takes a little patience, but getting the thickness right – not too thin at the bottom or sides – is key to preventing any delicious filling from leaking out during baking.
Tips for Achieving Pecan Tassie Perfection
To ensure your Chocolate Pecan Tassies turn out flawlessly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Use good quality unsalted butter, fresh cream cheese, and flavorful pecans. The mini semi-sweet chocolate chips are essential for an even distribution of chocolate in these small treats.
- Don’t Overfill the Shells: Carefully pour the filling into each crust, making sure it’s just below the top rim. Overfilling can lead to spills and a less tidy appearance.
- Cool Completely in the Pan: This step is critical! Allowing the tassies to cool fully in the muffin tin helps the filling set properly and prevents them from falling apart when removed. Patience is a virtue here!
- Even Baking: Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set, with a slight wobble in the center. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes.
- Twist and Lift: Once cooled, gently twist each tassie and lift it from the muffin cup. They should release easily if properly cooled.
Delicious Variations & Customizations
While the classic Chocolate Pecan Tassie is perfect as is, feel free to experiment with these delightful variations:
- Different Chocolates: Instead of semi-sweet, try mini milk chocolate chips for a sweeter treat, or mini dark chocolate chips for a more intense cocoa flavor. White chocolate chips could also add a unique twist.
- A Pinch of Salt: A tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the warm tassies after baking can enhance the chocolate and pecan flavors beautifully.
- Nutty Alternatives: While pecans are traditional, you could experiment with chopped walnuts or even a mix of nuts for a different texture and taste profile.
- A Hint of Spice: A tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the filling could add a warm, cozy dimension.
- Bourbon Infusion: For an adult twist, add a mere ½ teaspoon of bourbon to the filling mixture, playing on the theme of my bourbon pecan pie.
Speaking of pecans, don’t let any extras go to waste! Save any leftover pecans you have from this recipe and make a batch of my delightful Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe. Imagine serving both on a beautifully arranged cookie tray – it would be visually diverse and incredibly delicious, with the sprinkling of pecan goodness throughout! Truly, perfection on a platter.
Chocolate Pecan Tassies
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Ingredients
For the Shells:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup flour
For the Filing:
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon salted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chopped pecans plus 2 tablespoons (approximately) for sprinkling
- 2 tablespoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Make the Shells:
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Sift flour into a medium sized bowl. Cut butter into small cubes and add to flour. Add the cream cheese and cut the butter and cheese into the flour with two knives or a pastry blender. Continue until the dough holds together. Since we aren’t adding any additional liquid, you’ll want to continue to blend way past the stage at which you would normally stop with a pie crust.
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Gather the crust into a ball and divide into 24 little pieces. I used a kitchen scale and a board scraper to speed up the task. I’ve also done it by eyeballing it. If any piece is too small you can steal from a larger neighbor. The filling will leak out if the dough is too thin in the tins.
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Press each piece into one cup of a miniature muffin tin to create a little crust.
To make the Filling:
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Mix egg, vanilla, sugar and butter together until no lumps remain; stir in pecans.
To assemble the Pecan Tassies:
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Sprinkle a ¼ teaspoon (not rounded) of mini chips in the bottom of each shell. Pour the filling into each cup until the filling is just below the top rim of the shell.
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Sprinkle a few pecans on the top of each tassie.
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Bake in preheated oven for 24-25 minutes.
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Let cool in the pan completely before removing. Twist and lift to remove!
Nutrition
Serving & Storing Your Delicious Chocolate Pecan Tassies
These delightful mini pecan pies are wonderful served warm or at room temperature. They make an excellent addition to any dessert platter, are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, or even served alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra-special treat. Their bite-sized nature makes them incredibly popular at parties and gatherings, often disappearing faster than you can say “pecan pie!”
For storage, Chocolate Pecan Tassies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, though I doubt they’ll last that long! If you want to extend their freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. For longer storage, these tassies freeze beautifully. Simply arrange them in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag, separated by parchment paper, and they will stay fresh for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven before serving.
Whether you’re continuing a cherished family tradition or starting a new one, these Chocolate Pecan Tassies are sure to bring joy to every table. Their combination of nostalgic flavor, elegant presentation, and the irresistible addition of chocolate makes them a truly unforgettable sweet treat. Dive into the magic and bake a batch today!