Mini Pecan Pies are little vegan tarts that are over the top rich and perfect for the holidays. This dessert fits right in at any family gathering or elegant party.
The holidays are so much fun. Not only in my family but I see it everywhere. Families from the immediate family on out to 2nd, 3rd and sometimes 4th cousins all join for a party on their special day.
That’s not hard to do when one of your parents is spread 15 years apart from their oldest sibling and they don’t have kids until they are in their forties (that’s what happened in my family).
Then all the other siblings and cousins have kids in their early years. I am partying with my 4th cousins who are 3, 6 and 10 and they are a blast.
More are coming soon but don’t let their dad hear me say that.
A great sharing of warmth, love, and camaraderie. A couple of other holiday potluck recipes that travel well are these very special Pumpkin Muffins and also Autumn Oreo Brownies.
Of course, there is plenty of laughing and photography. Lots of photos. Even before the digital age, there were lots of photos.
Parties are also abundant this time of the year for you and your friends. Be that person to throw a party and invite everyone.
Maybe a street party but if it’s too cold to go indoors and get it all going. Have appetizers and refreshments and little sweet Mini Vegan Pecan Pie Tarts for all to enjoy.
Even Mini Vegan Pecan Pies! I wish I lived down the street from you so we could all party together.
Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Channuka, Merry Christmas, Joyous Kwanzaa and Happy New Year everyone!
How to Make a Chia Egg for Mini Pecan Pies
The way you make meal/flour is by grinding the chia seed in a processor such as one for your coffee beans or a spice grinder.
I use mine to strictly grind seeds so that I do not mix flavors. Grind until it is a fine meal.
I do about 4 ounces at a time and keep it in a little freezer safe canning jar – in the freezer. When I need a tablespoon or so it is all ready to go.
Lately, I’ve been seeing small packages of ground chia seed which is the same thing. They catch on quick!
Helpful Tools for Mini Vegan Pecan Pie Tarts
Super helpful if you decide to make homemade pastry is a pastry cutter.
A non-stick mini tart pan is perfect for this recipe.
If you start to grind your own chia seed then this coffee grinder is perfect.
This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
What Do You Think?
If you take a photo of your super delicious mini pecan pies I would love to see it. Follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer.
Your opinion means a lot to me and if you’d like to leave a comment and possibly a star rating I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Mini Vegan Pecan Pie Tarts
Ingredients
For the tart crust:
- Here is my recipe but you may use any of your favorite pie crust recipes or a store-bought pre-prepared crust. Just remember to half your recipe.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 6 tablespoons dairy-free butter chilled and cubed
- 3 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
- 1 egg substitute I use a chia egg
- 2 tablespoons dairy free butter
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 5 saltine crackers crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup pecans chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 24 to 30 pecan halves for top garnish
For the topping:
- 1 egg substitute
- 4 tablespoons Non GMO soy milk powder
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup dairy-free butter
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup pecans finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the tart crust:
- Place the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Cut in the butter until it resembles coarse meal. I use a pastry cutter and then close to the end I use my fingertips to make sure all is blended well.
- Add the iced water and mix well.
- Turn out onto a floured surface.
- Knead a few times until all the bits are incorporated well. Add a little flour if it seems very sticky.
- Shape into a ball and flatten into a disc.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Roll out the dough into a round that is the thickness of a pie crust. It will be about 12" in diameter.
- Cut into rounds with a 2 1/2" cookie cutter or biscuit cutter. You will get 24 to 30 rounds. After you cut your first set of circles re-roll the dough scraps and cut more rounds. Continue to do this until all the dough is used.
- Place the rounds into mini muffin pans. You can buy these in a 6-count or 12-count or 24-count. Carefully, press the dough flat on the bottom, into the edges and up the sides. Place the pan/pans in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
For the filling:
- Mix the egg substitute and set aside. I used a chia egg.
- In a saucepan melt butter and then add brown sugar, maple syrup, crackers, cinnamon and chopped pecans.
- Cook over medium high heat until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add the vanilla and egg substitute mixture. Stir well.
- Divide evenly among the pre-made tart shells.
- Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes or until the crust has turned golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
- While the tarts are cooling make the topping.
For the topping:
- Mix the egg substitute and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan add the water, soy milk powder, sugar, non dairy butter and coook over medium high heat until sugar is disolved an mixture starts to slightly boil.
- Add the egg mixture and stir it in. Remove from heat and stir in the coconut, pecans and vanilla extract.
- Let cool and put a hefty dollop on the top of each pecan tart.
- Garnish with pecan half.
Nutrition
You can freeze the dough in disc form for up to 4 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before rolling out and cutting into rounds.
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Hi Gen! Yes, you can. It won’t be as thick as homemade but it works very well.
Hi Ginny,
Can I use pre-made pie dough for this recipe?
I just love mini desserts. I can get my fix without feeling quite as guilty!
I wish I lived down the street too! I love pecan pie but it IS rich, so little pecan pies in tart form sounds perfect!
I always host our holiday parties, It is so fun, all the family and friends! These Pecan Pie Tarts look like the perfect dessert! Sometimes pecan pie can be too rich but these are a great little bite!
Oh man, these remind me of butter tarts back home in Canada. One of my favorite treats!
That would change the consistency and would be very wet. If you would like to try it – omit the soy milk powder and only add 4 tablespoons soy milk and see what the consistency and taste is like. This is a guess and an experiment.
Can I just use soy milk instead of milk powder+water?
Is there something I can substitute for the milk powder? Or, where can I purchase nondairy milk powder? Thank you!
Great! People’s eyes would light up – they are so cute. 🙂
Oh, yes Nikki! Lets! Sorry about your allergy but, yes, they would be good without too! Very rich!
Hahaha, yeah Kim. More and more and more. I mean it is the season 🙂
Thank you so much Rose! Your compliments make me giddy 🙂 P.S. they went way too fast.
Yessssss I want some of these little tarts. They would be perfect for Thanksgiving.
I love your crust recipe. I’m allergic to pecans, but I can still make these tarts, sans nuts. What is that called? Treacle? Let’s be British lol
These look so adorable. I want to eat like 10 of them right now. They’re small so you can eat more, right.
If I wasn’t already giddy with excitement over the upcoming holiday season, I would be now after reading this!! Your Mini Pecan Pie Tarts look adorable!! I can’t wait to try them.
They’re so cute! And crackers in the filling?! Yummy. That must give these tarts a nice salty taste!
Seriously how cute are these?!
These look and sound so delicious! And I’m so glad you didn’t use corn syrup!!
These tarts looks so good! And the perfect size for everyone to snatch before the plate is empty! Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving Ginny!
That is great Stephanie and thanks so much!
I don’t use corn syrup either – this is a great recipe. Love these little pies!
They’re the best!
bite size desserts are my favorite!
Raisins sounds great too Allysia! Yes, I don’t use corn syrup so it helps with the thickening with the maple syrup.
I love pecan tarts! We have a similar variation here called butter tarts, which basically is the same thing except with raisins instead of pecans. I haven’t seen a recipe using saltines – is that for thickening?