Does the holiday season seem to fly by to anyone else? It always does for me, which is why this year I’m making a solid effort to focus on one holiday at a time and savor it.
I really enjoyed Halloween, but now that it’s over, it is time to focus on Thanksgiving! …just wish me luck because I have a hard time waiting until after turkey day to start thinking about Christmas… but I’m going to try!
In the spirit of focusing on one holiday at a time, my recipes for the next few weeks are all going to be foods that would be great to serve at Thanksgiving! I decided to start things off with a bang, and start with the sweet stuff… introducing…
Mini Pecan Pies
- 1 cup Karo corn syrup
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups pecans
- 12 mini pie crusts (store bought or homemade)
Clearly after seeing the ingredients, I don’t need to mention that these aren’t exactly what one would call ‘healthy’, but that’s why we’re making them in appropriate portion sizes! 😉
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Mix up all the ingredients (except for the pecans) in a medium bowl until well combined.
Chop up your pecans into large chunks, leaving 12 pecan halves aside to use as decoration.
Mix the chopped pecans into your filling.
Spread out your mini crusts onto a large, rimmed cookie sheet.
Sill ‘em up! Focus on getting the same amount of filling and pecans in each pie crust.
Bake in oven for 30 minutes.
When still hot from the oven, push one of the reserved pecan halves into the middle.
These little treats are awesome. You can serve individual pies with ice cream for an after-Thanksgiving-dinner treat.
Or, wrap them up individually in saran wrap, tie a ribbon around it and give out as a holiday treat to neighbors, doctors, etc- OR do what I did and bring them to a neighborhood party. They are sure to be a hit!
Or… keep a few around the house to make your husband a happy man 😉
To me, Thanksgiving must have pecan pie, and these mini versions are a fun way to mix things up!
What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?
thehealthyapron says
wow this little treats looking scrumptious! I love my mother in laws apple pie!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Yum! Those look lovely…and anything in miniature is more fun.
Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday, and I get very upset when people try to rush ahead to Christmas. (Don’t make me get angry with YOU…. ;)]
My favorite Thanksgiving dessert is actually not traditional…there are these little oatmeal raisin cookies made by Bertha (my third grandmother for all intents and purposes) that we pass around and share at the end of the meal. Usually we have pie as a formality…but no one ever really eats it!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I love the idea of individual portions! Maybe that would help me refrain from the million bites/pieces I inevitably end up taking come dessert time?
My favorite dessert is just good old fashioned apple pie. I’m not a pumpkin pie lover so thanksgiving is usually all about the savory stuff rather than the sweet for me.
Jamie @ FoodinRealLife says
Those look incredible! What a great idea, and who doesn’t love mini desserts? I like it because I know I don’t have to share.
I too am all about getting into the holiday spirit early. I start listening to Xmas carols in November. Heh.
Jen says
Those look great, Brittany! I’m all about focusing on one holiday at a time. I feel like poor Thanksgiving gets overlooked so often. In my opinion, it is WAY too early for Christmas music, decorations, and gingerbread lattes.
blackhuff says
These Mince Pecan tarts is not something I like at all. Just don’t like the taste of them 🙁
When is Thanksgiving? We don’t celebrate it here in South Africa.
Brittany says
It’s November 24- you should visit the US just for Thanksgiving alone- food, fall, family- it’s awesome 🙂
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
So cute! I love sweet potato pie!
Jenny says
Those are too cute! And they look very tasty. I may have to give them a shot. I make a pretty great pretzel jello that is a staple at all Brunner Thanksgivings : )
Maria says
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! No gifts to wrap, no malls to go to, just you and your family gathered around the table for some good food…so naturally, I’m super excited about this recipe series. Even more so because this year I’m making Thanksgiving dinner for just my husband and myself – going to be a huge change and quite possibly a huge challenge!
Thanks for a great easy recipe!
Donna @ Life of a Happy Blonde says
I love miniature versions of desserts!
Best thing about canandian thanksgiving in October? As soon as Halloween is over you just straight into Christmas mode 🙂
Brittany says
So you get TWO months of Christmas?! I’m jealous 😉
Lauren says
Love that you’re doing a Thanksgiving series. Poor Thanksgiving always gets skipped over because Christmas is so close behind it. I’ve never had pecan pie! But then again, I’m not a huge pecan fan. Making mini pies is a good idea for any flavor though 🙂
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
Halloween is fun and all, but it really doesn’t hold a candle to Christmas and Thanksgiving. I’m excited for my favorite season. 🙂
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
Those look awesome! I usually love apple pie with ice cream, but I am always tempted by chocolate pie, too.
Michaela says
I love me some pecan pies!
Kristy R. says
Haven’t commented before but have been following your pregnancy journey. My due date is actually Thanksgiving Day! Would love to make these pies for the OB nursing staff…think they would freeze okay so that I can make them ahead of time and just grab them on our way out the door? Thanks!!
Brittany says
Thanks for commenting! I think these would be great for the hospital staff. I think freezing them would be just fine, as long as they had time to thaw before you gave them out. Maybe do a test batch?
And congratulations on your pregnancy- your month is finally here- how exciting!
christine @ oatmeal in my bowl says
I just saw the mini ready crusts in the store. So cute. And I love pecan pie… but since I don’t have time to cook, would you mind shipping me some? they look delish! 😉
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Oh those look delicious! And I was listening to a radio show today where they were debating over wehter or not to play a Christmas song. I voted no, but I understand why so many wanted a song to be played – Christmas season goes by so so fast!!
Autumn@Good Eats Girl says
These look so cute! The perfect Thanksgiving time treat!
Heather says
I love pecan pie and I love the idea of individual ones, I may have to try this for Thanksgiving. My favorite Thanksgiving dessert is the pumpkin cupcakes I make with cream cheese frosting. I am looking forward to the Thanksgiving series that you are doing, I love this time of year.
Sophie @ LoveLiveAndLearn says
I love that you’re focusing on one holiday at a time, I think it’s important to savor those special occasions with those you love 🙂
Those mini pecan pies look absolutely delicious!
I’m going home this weekend and I am most definitely going to bake something autumnal!
Brittney says
Yum, those look great! My mom makes chocolate pecan pie by adding chocolate chips to regular pecan pie, so I bet that would work with these too!