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What Are Pecan Tassies?

H. Bliss
H. Bliss

Essentially tiny, cookie-like pecan pies, pecan tassies are single-serving or bite-size sweet snacks that can be homemade or purchased at the store. They are commonly served at Christmas celebrations in the United States. Like pecan pie, pecan tassies are made of a pastry crust filled with a pudding or custard and topped with caramelized candied pecans. They usually have a bottom crust and no top crust, similar to tarts. When eaten, the crunchy crust and sugared caramelized pecans give way to a soft, sweet center.

Pecan tassies are a popular snack for parties, and they store well in the freezer. Since they have no top crust, pecan tassies are often considered small tarts. They are also commonly called pecan pie tarts, pecan pie mini tarts, or tartlettes. Though pecan tassies can be homemade, they are most commonly seen in the bakery section or snack section at the grocery store. They usually come in plastic containers that support each individual tiny pie to keep the shape of the pie and the crust intact.

Pecans are carmelized and candied for pecan tassies.
Pecans are carmelized and candied for pecan tassies.

When they are homemade, pecan tassies are usually shaped using crust shapers called mini-tart shapers, which create the tiny cart crusts that hold the pecans and filling. The crusts for pecan tassies are similar to pie crusts, and generally contain ingredients like flour, sugar, and salt with cream cheese and butter. They are baked in the oven until the pastry crust and the sugar on the pecans have browned and the soft filling inside is cooked and hot. These sweet treats are cooled before they are served or stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Pecans are tree nuts that grow in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Pecans are tree nuts that grow in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

The ingredients used to make the pie filling in tassies can vary, but include sugar, corn syrup, and eggs in addition to pecans and vanilla flavoring. To create the filling, beaten eggs are gently stirred into a mixture of melted butter, sugar, and salt. The result is a pourable liquid that turns into a sweet custard-like filling when it is cooked.

Pecans are tree nuts that grow naturally in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. There are many varieties of pecan trees, some of which are extremely large, and can grow taller than a two-story house. The pecan is the official tree for the state of Texas in the United States.

Discussion Comments

Animandel

@mobilian33 - You are right about pecans being a good source of vitamins and minerals. I was surprised when I read all of the health benefits of these nuts. However, I'm not sure you want to start loading up on the pecan tassie snacks.

If you want to get all of the benefits of pecans then you are better off to simply eat them straight from the shells. This is when they are at their most nutritious. By the time you put them in a pie and add all of the sugar and syrup and all the other ingredients that are not so good for the body, you have canceled out the good things about the pecans with all of the negatives of the other stuff.

mobilian33

The good thing about desserts made with pecans is that pecans are actually good for you, so you don't have to be so worried about eating them and damaging your health. Pecans are loaded with vitamins and minerals we all need to stay healthy.

So maybe we should all be eating pecan tassies and dusting off those family recipes for pecan pie. I guess this goes to prove that everything that tastes good is not necessarily bad for you, even when it is a dessert.

Laotionne

These pecan tassies sound like they are similar to some pecan pies I have eaten. My aunt used to make the best pecan pies when I was a kid. Whenever we had a family gathering, especially at Thanksgiving, the tables would be filled with all sorts of good foods. For the kids, the desserts' table was the biggest attraction.

We couldn't wait to finish the main course, so we could tear into the sweets, and my aunt's pecan pies were on the top of all our lists of items to try first. They never disappointed. We were all heart broken when she finally stopped making them.

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    • Pecans are carmelized and candied for pecan tassies.
      By: Virynja
      Pecans are carmelized and candied for pecan tassies.
    • Pecans are tree nuts that grow in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
      By: eAlisa
      Pecans are tree nuts that grow in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.