Description
Delectable pecan delight shortbread bites promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience from Southern kitchens. Buttery, nutty morsels deliver pure comfort with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) pecans, chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) flour
- ½ cup (120 ml) margarine
- ½ cup (120 ml) brown sugar
- 4 tbsps margarine
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) full fat coconut milk
- 2 tbsps maple syrup
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Amalgamate flour, salt, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl, then integrate margarine until achieving a uniform, smooth consistency.
- Shortbread Molding: Divide dough into 12 equal portions, pressing each into lined muffin tin cavities, ensuring complete base and side coverage. Delicately puncture surfaces with fork tines to prevent uneven rising.
- Preliminary Chilling: Refrigerate shortbread shells in freezer for 30 minutes to solidify structural integrity.
- Initial Baking: Place muffin tins in preheated 350°F oven, baking for 12-14 minutes until attaining a subtle golden complexion.
- Pecan Roasting: Concurrently toast chopped pecans on a separate baking sheet at 350°F for 4 minutes to amplify their aromatic essence.
- Caramel Crafting: In a saucepan, merge brown sugar, coconut milk, maple syrup, margarine, and salt over medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and develop profound flavor complexity.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove caramel from heat, infusing with vanilla extract. Allow cooling and thickening at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Filling Assembly: Gently fold roasted pecans into cooled caramel, creating a luxurious filling.
- Final Composition: Distribute pecan-caramel mixture generously among pre-baked shortbread shells. Allow bites to rest at room temperature for 2-4 hours, enabling caramel to set and flavors to harmonize.
Notes
- Chill Dough Precisely: Freezing shortbread shells for exactly 30 minutes ensures structural integrity and prevents spreading during baking.
- Roast Pecans Carefully: Toasting pecans for 4 minutes intensifies their nutty flavor and adds depth to the overall dessert profile.
- Control Caramel Consistency: Simmering caramel for 10 minutes allows ingredients to meld, creating a rich, smooth texture without burning.
- Allow Settling Time: Letting assembled bites rest 2-4 hours helps caramel set perfectly and allows flavors to develop and integrate completely.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 134
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg