Pecan-Chipotle Tassies in Cornmeal Crust

A cornmeal crust and a kiss of chipotle powder put an updated spin on a classic pecan pie filling.

Pecan-Chipotle Tassies in Cornmeal Crust
Write a review
Print
Dough
  1. 1/2 cup butter, softened
  2. 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  3. 1 cup all-purpose flour
  4. 1/4 cup plain yellow cornmeal
  5. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  6. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  7. 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
Filling
  1. 2/3 cup chopped pecans
  2. 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  3. 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  4. 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  6. 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
  7. 1/8 teaspoon salt
  8. 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine butter and cream cheese for dough; beat at medium speed with a mixer until smooth. Gradually add flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and chile powder. Beat at low speed until a firm dough forms, stopping to scrape bowl occasionally. Shape dough into a disk; wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 24 mini muffin cups with baking spray with flour. Using floured hands, shape dough into 24 balls. Place one ball of dough in each prepared muffin cup, pressing dough into bottom and up sides of cups.
  3. In a small bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla, chile powder, salt, and egg for filling; stir well. Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon pecan mixture into each pastry shell. (Be careful not to overfill.)
  4. Bake until filling is set and crust is lightly browned, approximately 20 minutes. Run a knife around edges of crust. Gently remove tassies from muffin cups. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Southern Lady Magazine http://southernladymagazine.com/