Decadent Light Pecan Tassies with Cream Cheese Crust
These Delicate Light Pecan Tassies showcase a delectable cream cheese pastry, combining the rich flavors of brown sugar and caramelized pecans in a bite-sized treat. Ideal for gatherings or a special dessert, each tassie boasts only 77 calories, allowing you to indulge without the guilt. This recipe hails from the Cooking Light November 2000 issue, making it a nostalgic favorite that continues to deserve a place at your table. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these tassies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.
N/A
Servings
77
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
1 cup (Sifted)
Granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (Granulated)
Salt
1 dash (To taste)
Low-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup (Softened (approximately 2 oz))
Butter or margarine
2 tablespoons (Softened)
Skim milk
2 tablespoons (None)
Cooking spray
As needed (For greasing)
Pecans
1/3 cup (Finely chopped)
Brown sugar
1/2 cup (Packed)
Light corn syrup
1/3 cup (None)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (None)
Salt
1/8 teaspoon (To taste)
Large egg
1 (Beaten)
Large egg white
1 (Beaten)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a small bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and a dash of salt. Set aside.
3
In a large bowl, blend the softened low-fat cream cheese, butter (or margarine), and skim milk using a mixer at medium speed until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
4
Gradually add the flour mixture to the cream cheese mixture, beating at low speed until just blended and the mixture resembles moist crumbs.
5
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it lightly 3 to 4 times until it comes together. Divide the dough into 24 equal portions.
6
Spray 24 mini muffin cups with cooking spray. Place one portion of dough into each cup. Use your fingers to press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of each cup, forming a small crust.
7
Evenly distribute the finely chopped pecans among the muffin cups, placing them at the bottom of each crust.
8
In a separate small bowl, mix together the packed brown sugar, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, whole egg, and egg white until thoroughly combined.
9
Spoon approximately 2 teaspoons of this sweet filling over the pecans in each muffin cup.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the pastries are lightly golden brown and the filling has puffed up.
11
Once baked, allow the tassies to cool in the muffin pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Then, gently run a knife around the edges of each tassie and carefully remove them from the pan. Let them cool completely on the rack before serving.
Nutrition Information
2.5g
Fat
10.7g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Light Pecan Tassies?
They are bite-sized treats featuring a cream cheese pastry and a sweet pecan filling with brown sugar.
How many calories are in each Pecan Tassie?
Each tassie contains approximately 77 calories.
What makes these Pecan Tassies a light dessert?
The recipe uses low-fat cream cheese, skim milk, and a limited amount of butter to keep the calorie and fat content lower than traditional versions.
How many tassies does this recipe yield?
The recipe makes 24 equal servings.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F or 175°C.
What type of flour is required for the crust?
The crust requires one cup of sifted all-purpose flour.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either softened butter or margarine.
What kind of milk is used in the dough?
The dough uses two tablespoons of skim milk.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each tassie contains 2.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in one tassie?
There are 10.7 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does each treat provide?
Each tassie provides 1.5 grams of protein.
Do I need to grease the muffin pan?
Yes, you should spray 24 mini muffin cups with cooking spray.
How do I prepare the pecans for the filling?
The pecans should be finely chopped before being added to the crusts.
What type of sugar is used in the filling?
The filling uses 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar.
What kind of corn syrup is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of light corn syrup.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe requires one large egg and one large egg white, both beaten.
How long do the tassies need to bake?
They should bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
How should the dough be shaped?
Press one portion of dough into the bottom and up the sides of each mini muffin cup.
Where was this recipe originally published?
This recipe originally appeared in the Cooking Light November 2000 issue.
What is the consistency of the dough before kneading?
The dough should resemble moist crumbs after mixing the flour into the cream cheese mixture.
How many times should I knead the dough?
Knead the dough lightly 3 to 4 times until it comes together.
How much filling goes into each muffin cup?
Spoon approximately 2 teaspoons of the sweet filling over the pecans in each cup.
How long should the tassies cool in the pan?
Allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack.
How do I remove the tassies from the pan?
Gently run a knife around the edges of each tassie and carefully lift them out.
Can I use granulated sugar in the crust?
Yes, the crust uses one tablespoon of granulated sugar.
Is vanilla extract used in this recipe?
Yes, one teaspoon of vanilla extract is added to the filling mixture.
What is the total ingredient count?
The recipe consists of 14 ingredients.
Are these tassies suitable for holiday parties?
Yes, their bite-sized nature and rich flavor make them perfect for holiday gatherings.
Is salt added to both the crust and filling?
Yes, there is a dash of salt in the flour mixture and 1/8 teaspoon in the filling.
Should the cream cheese be softened?
Yes, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure a creamy dough mixture.