How to bake miniature pecan pies

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Thanksgiving Day Dessert

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  My fondest memories include road trips to Austin, Texas where our family fathered for a Thanksgiving feast hosted by my Aunt Lee, my mother's sister.  Mom was born into a family of 12 children and quickly developed culinary skills while growing up on her family's farm.  These skills served her well on important holidays like Thanksgiving Day.  The day featured turkey, dressing and all of the trimmings.  But for me, the dessert was always the highlight of the day's events.

Pecan Pie, A Southern Tradition

No Thanksgiving feat is complete without pecan pies.  This southern tradition graced our table every year and should be featured on yours as well.  The recipe that I am sharing with you yields small light bites but reaps big rewards.  These perfectly portioned miniature pecan pies are perfect for serving.  They are balanced with the right amount of sweetness and nuttiness.  They are also perfectly portioned making them perfect for serving as they require no slicing.  Each pie is held together in a light crust made with butter and oddly, cream cheese.  One bite of these varying and complex textures will send your tastebuds into dessert heaven. 

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Miniature Pecan Pies

Crust

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Stir butter and cream cheese together and then add flour to form a ball of crust.  Divide into 12 equal part and press into a 12-cup muffin tin pan.  Press crust up to the top edge of each tin.

Pecan Filling

1 egg

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup salt

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions:

With a wire whisk, beat egg, sugar, vanilla and salt.  Evenly divide 1/4 cup of pecans into the 12 crust cups and pour egg/sugar mixture over all 12 cups. Finely chop remaining pecans and sprinkle over the 12 cups.  Bake for 25 minutes and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes.  Run a sharp knife along muffin cups to prevent hardened sugar from sticking to the pan.  Allow to cool completely and enjoy!