These are the best mini pecan pies! They have acorn shaped buttery crusts filled with gooey pecan pie filling and they're sprinkled with sugar. If you are a pecan pie lover you will love this fun twist on a classic recipe!
If you're looking for another fall dessert, check out my classic pecan pie, mini apple pies, mini pumpkin pies, apple pie cheesecake, pecan pie cheesecake, Thanksgiving cracker toffee, apple pie bars, pumpkin cheesecake bars, gooey butter pecan cake, lattice top apple pie, or pumpkin cheesecake! All are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table!
Why You'll Love These Mini Pecan Pies
They're easy to make. Store-bought pie crust saves so much time. You can whip these up in about an hour!
They're so cute. These mini pies are shaped like little acorns. There's just something about mini desserts that is so cute!
They're delicious! They're made with flaky pie crust, a delicious, sweet & gooey filling and they're sprinkled with lots of sugar.
Simple Ingredients for Mini Pecan Pies
- Pie Dough- we're using pre-made pie crusts for convenience, but feel free to use a homemade pie crust recipe
- Maple Syrup- used as the base of the pecan pie filling instead of dark or light corn syrup, make sure to use pure maple syrup not pancake syrup
- Brown Sugar- used to sweeten the filling along with the maple syrup
- Granulated White Sugar- used for the topping
- Butter- make sure it's unsalted
- Pecans- we're using chopped pecans, you can use pecan halves if you'd like, but chopped pieces are better for these mini pies
- Salt- used to bring out all the flavors in these mini pies
- Eggs- used for the filling and the egg wash, make sure they're room temperature
- Vanilla Extract- adds a sweet note to the filling
Step by Step Instructions for Pecan Hand Pies
Please see the recipe card below for complete measurements and baking time!
STEP ONE: Add the butter to a medium sauce pan and melt it over low heat. To the melted butter add in the maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs. Whisk to combine. Turn the heat up to medium-low and cook the mixture for 10-12 minutes until thick like caramel sauce. Stir it constantly so that it remains smooth. Then remove it from it from the heat. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, mix in the pecans.
STEP TWO: Using a rolling pin, roll out the 2 pie crusts on a lightly floured surface and cut 20 mini acorns out using a 4" acorn cookie cutter. You can also use another shape cookie cutter or just a biscuit cutter. (You will need to re-roll each pie crust to get all 20.) Transfer 10 of the acorns to parchment paper lined baking sheets (5 per each.) To the remaining 10 acorns, cut a slightly arched line just under the "cap" of the acorn. Using a tip of an icing piping tip, make decorative indents on the top part of the acorn. With the bottom of the icing tip, cut a small circle in the center of the acorns.
STEP THREE: Add 1 heaping tablespoon of pecan pie filling on the center of the 10 acorns on the baking sheets.
STEP FOUR: Use a pastry brush to brush the edges with egg wash and place the decorated acorns over top of each. Press the edges shut with an icing tip or fork. Chill the pies in the fridge for 20 minutes. Brush the top of the pies with egg wash and sprinkle the top of each with sugar.
STEP FIVE: Bake the little pies and then let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool until cool enough to handle, about 15 more minutes. Serve by themselves or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
FAQs
Can I use homemade pie crust? Yes! Baking time may be different though. Start with 17 minutes and add time until they're a light golden brown color.
Can I use puff pastry instead? Yes, absolutely. Baking time may be different though. Bake until golden brown on top and puffy.
How do I store these? Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days
Do I have to cut the dough into acorns? No. You can cut the dough with a round cookie cutter, or really any other shape. To keep baking times the same, I recommend sticking with the same size cookie cutter, 4 inches.
Pro Tips
For best results, be sure to chill the formed little pecan pies before baking. This ensures that the dough stays in tact and the filling doesn't leak out while baking.
If you make these mini pecan pies please leave a star rating! Tag me on Instagram @inbloombakery_ and TikTok @inbloombakery so I can see! Follow me on Pinterest for other dessert ideas!
Other Recipes to Try Next Time
Apple Cider Cheesecake Cookies
📖 Recipe
Mini Pecan Pies
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (56 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 ml) pure maple syrup
- ⅔ cup (146 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (135 g) chopped pecans
- 2 pie crusts, store bought or homemade
- 1 egg, whisked (for the egg wash)
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the butter to a medium sauce pan and melt it over low heat.¼ cup (56 g) unsalted butter
- To the melted butter add in the maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs. Whisk to combine. Turn the heat up to medium-low and cook the mixture for 10-12 minutes until thick like caramel sauce. Stir it constantly so that it remains smooth.½ cup (120 ml) pure maple syrup, ⅔ cup (146 g) brown sugar, packed, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 eggs, at room temperature
- Remove it from it from the heat. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, mix in the pecans.1 cup (135 g) chopped pecans
- Using a rolling pin, roll out the 2 pie crusts on a lightly floured surface and cut 20 mini acorns out using a 4" acorn cookie cutter. You can also use another shape cookie cutter or just a biscuit cutter. (You will need to re-roll each pie crust to get all 20.)2 pie crusts, store bought or homemade
- Transfer 10 of the acorns to the parchment paper lined baking sheets, 5 per each.
- To the remaining 10 acorns, cut a slightly arched line just under the "cap" of the acorn. Using a tip of an icing piping tip, make decorative indents on the top part of the acorn. With the bottom of the icing tip, cut a small circle in the center of the acorns.
- Add 1 heaping tablespoon of pecan pie filling on the center of the 10 acorns on the baking sheets.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the edges with egg wash and place the decorated acorns over top of each. Press the edges shut with an icing tip or fork. Chill the pies in the fridge for 20 minutes.1 egg, whisked (for the egg wash)
- While the mini pies chill, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove one of the cookie sheets of mini pecan pies from the fridge and brush the tops with egg wash. Then sprinkle each with sugar.¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar for sprinkling, 1 egg, whisked (for the egg wash)
- Bake for 16-19 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Then let the mini pecan pies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool until cool enough to handle, about 15 more minutes.
- Repeat the steps with the remaining cookie sheet of mini pecan pies.
The HIT of Thanksgiving dessert!!!
Everyone is requesting more more more. Delicious!