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Pecan tarts are much like miniature pecan pies, with the exception of the form. Pecan tarts are commonly found in bakeries and not many people make them homemade. Pecan tarts take time to create, but are not difficult to bake. This recipe will yield 36 tarts total.

You will need:

• 2 sticks of butter, softened
• 6 ounces of softened cream cheese
• 2 cups of flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 ½ cups of brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• Whisk
• 1 cup of chopped pecans
• Tart muffin tins
• Bowl

Step 1: Combine 2 sticks of butter, cream cheese and flour in a bowl and mix well. Place this mixture in the refrigerator for one hour. Remove from the refrigerator and shape with hands into small 1 inch balls.

Step 2: Combine the 2 eggs, brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of softened butter into a bowl. Add the vanilla and stir well with a whisk. Beat the mixture until it is completely smooth. If there are lumps due to the brown sugar, use a fork to break the lumps up and continue to whisk well. It may save time to use an electric mixer or hand mixer, should one be available. This will however, add air pockets to the mixture.

Step 3: Spread the balls into the tart muffin tins using your fingers or a small spoon. Drop about half of the pecans into the tins and then fill the rest of the tin up with the liquid filling mixture. Drop the rest of the pecans on top of the mixture. Hit the tart muffin tins briskly against the counter to work out all air bubbles in the filling mixture. Turn the tins half a turn every time it is hit against the counter. Do this with all the tins just before placing them into the oven. If allowed to sit for more than a few minutes, more air bubbles will develop.

• Step 4: Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the tins for about 30 minutes, or until the edges of the crust for the tarts are crisp. Remove from the oven and allow the tarts to cool on top of the stove, or on a baking rack for faster cooling. The tarts can be served with a small dab of vanilla ice cream, whipped topping or a praline sauce.