Mini Pecan Pie Bites: Crispy Tartlets with Brown Sugar Filling

Pecan pie bites are delightful mini desserts that capture the rich, gooey taste of classic pecan pie inside a tender cream cheese crust. These bite-sized treats combine caramelized pecan filling with a buttery, slightly tangy crust for a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

They’re simple to prepare and ideal for holidays, parties, or whenever you want an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert. With just a few ingredients and one pan, you can make a tray of irresistible pecan pie bites that disappear fast.

Ingredients for Mini Pecan Pies With Cream Cheese Crust

Crust Ingredients

  • Butter — adds richness and creates a tender, flaky crust.
  • Cream cheese — gives a slight tang and makes the crust soft and pliable.
  • All-purpose flour — provides structure.
  • Salt — balances the sweetness.

Filling Ingredients

  • Brown sugar — for a caramel-like, gooey filling.
  • Egg — binds the filling and creates a silky texture.
  • Butter — adds richness and smoothness.
  • Vanilla extract — enhances flavor depth.
  • Pecans — chopped, for crunch and classic pecan flavor.
Ingredients: flour, brown sugar, pecans, egg, butter, vanilla, and cream cheese.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep:
    Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin well with cooking spray or butter so the tarts release easily.
  2. Make the Crust:
    In a bowl, combine softened butter, softened cream cheese, flour, and salt. Mix with a fork or pulse in a food processor until the dough comes together in a soft ball.
  3. Shape the Crust:
    Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. Press each ball into the prepared mini muffin cups, forming a neat crust shell.
  4. Prepare the Filling:
    In another bowl, mix brown sugar, the egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans so everything is evenly combined.
  5. Fill the Crusts:
    Spoon or use a small scoop to fill each crust about three-fourths full—avoid overfilling to help with clean removal after baking.
  6. Bake:
    Bake in the center of the oven until the filling is set and the crust is lightly golden, about 18–22 minutes depending on your oven.
  7. Cool and Serve:
    Let the bites cool in the pan for a few minutes, then carefully remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
crust dough in one bowl, chopped pecans in another bowl.
cutting dough into pieces to divide.
dough balls in muffin tins.

Bake:
Place the tins in the center of the preheated oven and bake until the filling is set and the crust is golden, about 20 minutes.

Cool and Serve:
Allow the pecan pie bites to cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.

crusts pressed into mini muffin pans.
pecan tarts in muffin tins ready to bake.
2 muffin tins with baked mini pecan bites.

Why You’ll Love These Pecan Pie Bites

  • Quick and easy: Ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish.
  • Bite-sized convenience: Perfect for parties, dessert trays, or grab-and-go snacking.
  • No fuss serving: No slicing required—just pop them out and enjoy.
  • Rich, decadent flavor: All the gooey pecan pie goodness in a small, satisfying portion.
  • Versatile: Great for holidays, potlucks, and everyday treats.
mini pecan pies on a wire cooling rack.
mini Amish pecan tarts scattered around, one has a bite out of it so you can see the filling.

Holiday Cookies

These pecan pie bites are a wonderful addition to holiday cookie plates. They were often part of seasonal trays and homemade gifts, alongside other favorite cookies. Preparing multiple varieties and delivering them to neighbors is a simple way to share holiday cheer.

If you enjoy holiday baking, these mini pecan tarts are easy to include with other family favorites and make a memorable treat for friends and neighbors.

More Amish Cookie Recipes

  • Outrageous Cookies
  • Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Sugar Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies

I hope you enjoy these mini pecan pie tarts — they’re addictive in small doses. If you try them, please leave a comment and rating to share how they turned out.

📖 Recipe Card

pecan pie tarts scattered around.

Pecan Pie Bites Recipe

Pecan pie bites are mini desserts that pack the gooey, nutty flavor of pecan pie into a buttery, bite-sized treat. Perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you crave something sweet.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Course
Cookies, Dessert, Pie
Cuisine
American, Amish
Servings
12 servings
Calories
279 kcal

Ingredients

Crust:

  • ½ cup butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (heaping full) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Filling:

  • 1 cup brown sugar (loosely filled)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup pecans, chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Spray or grease 24 mini muffin cups thoroughly.

Crust:

  • Combine crust ingredients and mix until a dough ball forms. (½ cup butter, 3 oz cream cheese, 1 cup flour, ¼ tsp salt.)
  • Divide dough into 24 balls.
  • Press and shape the crusts into the prepared mini muffin tins.

Filling:

  • Mix brown sugar, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir in chopped pecans. (1 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 2 tbsp butter, ¼ tsp vanilla, ¾ cup pecans.)
  • Spoon the filling into each crust about ¾ full.
  • Bake in the center of the oven for approximately 20 minutes.
  • Cool in the pan a few minutes, then remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Store in an airtight container up to 3 days at room temperature; refrigerate or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

  • Chop the pecans finely so they fit nicely into the mini tarts.
  • Avoid overfilling the cups—excess filling makes removal messy and difficult.
  • If a tart sticks, run a thin knife around the edge to loosen it gently.

*Nutrition values are approximate.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 pies
Calories: 279 kcal
Carbohydrates: 34 g
Protein: 3 g
Fat: 15 g
Sugar: 18 g
Keyword
mini pecan pies, mini pecan pies with cream cheese crust, pecan pie bites

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