This Pecan Tassies recipe is perfect for holidays or entertaining and sure to be a hit! They’re gooey and bursting with buttery caramel flavors. Brown sugar and caramel filling add a creamy, fudgy texture to cake-like cookie outside.
I think I’m obsessed with pecans in baking. Thanksgiving may have past, but fall is still here to welcome this delicious, nutty flavor. Let these pecan tassies bring a little extra joy to your holiday season.
These appear like any other cookie cup but have a sweet surprise when you bite into one. Gooey caramel oozes out to give you an extra sweet delight to your taste buds.
You’ll Love the Taste and Texture of These Pecan Tassies
These Brown Sugar Pecan Tassies are super easy to make and a fun dessert after holiday meals (or anytime). Don’t worry, these are perfectly balanced in flavor. The cookie dough contains no sugar or sweetness, so you get a buttery balance to this wonderful caramel cookie cup dessert.
Brown sugar filling adds a creamy, fudgy texture to the cake-like cookie outside. Silky melted caramel mixed with crunchy pecans rounds out this magical flavor bomb in a cookie cup.
How to Make Pecan Tassies
For the cookie cup
- In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and cup butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add flour, beat on low until just combined and forms to a large ball.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 350º F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place into greased muffin pan. Evenly press dough into bottom and up the sides to create cups.
For the filling
- In a small bowl combine brown sugar, eggs, and melted butter. Spoon filling into cookie cups (should be about ½ full).
- Top each with 1-2 pecan halves, set aside.
- Place caramel bits and heavy cream into a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Heat, stirring often until combined and melted.
- Spoon melted caramel onto filled cookie cups, just below the top.
- Top each with 2-3 more pecan halves.
Bake and serve
- Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350º or until cookie cup edges are golden brown. C
- Cool 3-4 minutes, remove from pan and place on a cooling rack to cool before serving.
Watch the animation below for a step-by-step overview of how to make Pecan Tassies:
Extra tips for making cookie cups
- Grease the muffin pan before adding the cookies dough
- Don’t press the cookie dough too thin or it will be harder to remove and may crack during baking
- These cookies cups can be frozen. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, foil, and seal in an airtight container
- If you don’t have pecans hazelnuts would work well in the recipe
Should you add cream when melting caramel?
- Yes, this prevents it from hardening back up during cooling, and instead keeps it soft and chewy. Adding heavy whipping cream to the caramel bits while melting changes the structure of the caramel.
- Cream or butter can be added to chocolate while melting for the same effect
So go ahead and spread some extra holiday joy to your loved ones, friends and family with these Brown Sugar Caramel Pecan Cookie Cups.
Products used in this recipe:
Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set, Blue/Green/Yellow
Cuisinart 5-Speed Hand Mixer
Covered 12-count Muffin Pan
More Recipes With Pecans You May Like:
- Swirled Vanilla Cheesecake and Chocolate Brownie Bars
- Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze
- Chocolate Pecan Cookies with Caramel Drops
Leave a comment below and star rating if you made this recipe or want to share your thoughts.
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Brown Sugar Caramel Pecan Tassies
Ingredients
Cookie cups
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Brown sugar caramel filling
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 3 ounces caramel melting bits
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- For cookie cup: In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and ¾ cup butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour, beat on low until just combined and forms to a large ball. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 350º F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Drop into bottoms of a greased muffin pan. Evenly press dough into bottom and up the sides to create cups.
- For filling: In a small bowl combine brown sugar, eggs, and 1-tablespoon melted butter. Spoon filling into cookie cups (should be about ½ full). Top each with 1-2 pecan halves.
- Place caramel bits and heavy cream into a small saucepan on medium-low heat. Heat, stirring often until combined and melted. Spoon melted caramel onto filled cookie cups, almost to top. Then top each with 2-3 more pecan halves (see animated photo in post above).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350º or until cookie cup edges are golden brown. Cool 3-4 minutes, remove from pan and place on a cooling rack to cool before serving.
Notes
- Grease the muffin pan before adding the cookies dough
- Don't press the cookie dough too thin
- These cookies cups can be frozen. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, foil and seal in an airtight container
- If you don't have pecans hazelnuts would work well in the recipe
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home
I’m glad you’re obsessed, cause you nailed it with these. Love them!
Hi Matt. Thanks and I hope you get a chance to try these wonderful cookies cups.