Cinnamon Pecan Shortbread, Pecan Pie Muffins

The delicious flavor and crunch of pecans highlight the following recipes. Simple to prepare, these baked goods are sure to be hits at parties, showers, brunches, autumn gatherings, fall outings, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, other holiday celebrations, or “just because.”

Cinnamon Pecan Shortbread

• 1/2 cup butter, softened, divided
• 2/3 cup finely chopped pecans
• 4 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add pecans; cook and stir for 1 minute or until lightly toasted. Set aside.
3. Cream confectioners’ sugar and remaining butter in a medium mixing bowl. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder in a small mixing bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture. Mix well to create a crumbly dough. Stir in toasted pecans and butter.
4. Shape mixture into two 5-inch circles on an ungreased baking sheet. Using a fork, prick score lines to divide into four parts.
5. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and cut along score lines. After cooling for 2 minutes, removing to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Pecan Pie Muffins

These delicious muffins taste good the day they are made, but they are excellent after sitting overnight!

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 2/3 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
• 2 eggs
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and flour miniature muffin cups and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, flour and pecans; set aside.
4. In a smaller bowl, combine butter and eggs and mix well. Stir butter mixture into flour mixture just until moistened.
5. Fill greased and floured muffin cups 2/3 full with mixture.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees or until muffins are done. Immediately remove to wire racks to cool.

Makes 24 mini muffins.

Pecan Tartlets

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

• Pastry Shells:
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup unsifted flour

1. Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in flour. Chill shortly if very soft.
2. Roll into 24 balls. Press balls into the sides and bottom of small muffin pan cups. Set aside.

Filling:

• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla in a small bowl. Beat in egg and then corn syrup. Stir in pecans. Spoon into unbaked pastry shells.
2. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Allow to site for two minutes and then remove from pan and cool on wire rack.

Pecans add a wonderful texture to many baking recipes and butter supplies a richness that can't be duplicated any other way. These recipes are sure to bring out the best of both!

Chopped Pecans for Recipes

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