We love these bite-sized Bourbon Pecan Pie Cups! They're easy to make and are such a great individual dessert for the holidays. I'm a big fan of mini desserts because I get to try a bunch of sweets without overdoing it. These pecan pie bites use phyllo cups for the base as a shortcut and are a great potluck dessert for the holidays.
Oh, and if you're baking for kids, you can simply skip the bourbon in these mini pecan pie tarts.
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Bourbon pecan pie cups
It's so hard to decide on just one pie for the holidays!! But if I had to pick one pie to skip, it would be pecan pie. I know, I know. Don't come at me. I like pecan pie, but it can sometimes be too much—too sugary, too sticky. I still really enjoy it, and I still want some, just not a whole slice.
That's where these pecan pie cups come in! They're small enough to eat in 2 bites. They have the satisfying sticky-sweet pecan pie goodness, a little crunch, and so much flavor.
More bite-sized desserts: Cheesecake Cookie Cups
I flavor the pecan filling with just a bit of bourbon. Just enough to cut some of the sweetness and make you think "what is in here that is so so good??"
It's only a teaspoon of bourbon for 15 pecan pie bites, and some of the alcohol evaporates as they bake. So in the end you only have a hint of bourbon and not a strong alcoholic flavor. In other words, perfection.
(By the way, if you love recipes with bourbon, check out this bourbon milkshake with bourbon caramel sauce, bourbon blackberry jam, and my most popular recipe on the site: bourbon chicken.)
For alcohol-free pecan pie bites, simply omit the bourbon.
East potluck dessert
These pecan pie cups make a great potluck dessert because they are:
- So easy to make and you can double the recipe if needed
- Bite-sized so everyone can sample as many desserts as they like
- Individual desserts, so there's no need for messy slicing or the risk of a slice of pie falling apart as you try to get it onto your plate
Ingredients
- 15 count package premade phyllo shells (found in the baking aisle or frozen dessert aisle)
- ¾ cup chopped pecans or pecan pieces
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup (use leftover corn syrup for these chewy triple chocolate cookies!)
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon whiskey or bourbon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ¼ - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
More bite-sized desserts: Apple Pie Cups
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Medium bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
More bite-sized desserts: Lemon Cream Puffs
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Remove premade phyllo shells from packaging and place on prepared cookie sheet.
Step 3: In medium mixing bowl, mix together the pecans, sugar, corn syrup, and egg until combined.
Step 4: Add the melted butter, whiskey, and salt. Add cinnamon and vanilla extract, if using. Mix until fully combined.
Step 5: Add about 1 teaspoon pecan filling into each phyllo shell (the amount will depend on the size of your phyllo shells).
Step 6: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until mostly set. Allow to cool fully before serving, the pecan pie filling will set and thicken as it cools.
More mini desserts: Mini Eclairs with Lime Curd
Pecan pie bites recipe tips
→ Before measuring the corn syrup, spray the measuring spoon with vegetable oil to prevent it from sticking to the cup.
→ Try this with dark brown sugar for a more intense flavor.
→ Dairy-free? Use vegan butter or vegetable oil in place of butter.
→ This recipe can be doubled or tripled as needed.
→ Prefer not to use bourbon? Simply skip it!
More Fall desserts to try: Perfect Apple Crisp
What to serve with bourbon pecan pie cups
These mini pie cups pretty great on their own, but if you want to dress them up a bit, you can:
- Drizzle them with melted chocolate (this will harden as it cools) or with bourbon caramel sauce (this will remain sticky-sweet!)
- Add a dollop of whipped cream on top
More Fall desserts: Air Fryer Baked Apples
If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. And don't forget to share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!
Bourbon Pecan Pie Bites
Ingredients
- 15 premade phyllo shell cups - (typically 1 package, found in the frozen dessert aisle or baking aisle)
- ¾ cup chopped pecans - or pecan pieces
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar - or try it with dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup - (hint: spray your measuring spoon with vegetable oil before measuring to prevent sticking)
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons melted unsalted butter - or vegetable oil, but I recommend butter
- 1 teaspoon bourbon - or whiskey, any kind (skip if alcohol-free)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ¼ - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Special equipment
- Medium bowl
- measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove premade phyllo shells from packaging and place on prepared cookie sheet. If they are frozen, let them thaw as you're preparing the pecan filling.
- In medium mixing bowl, mix together the pecans, sugar, corn syrup, and egg until combined.
- Add the melted butter, whiskey, and salt. Add cinnamon and vanilla extract, if using. Mix until fully combined.
- Add about 1 teaspoon pecan filling into each phyllo shell (the amount might depend on the size of your phyllo shells).
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until mostly set. Allow to cool fully before serving, the pecan pie filling will set and thicken as it cools.
Nutrition
The nutritional information displayed is an estimate and not to be used as dietary or nutritional advice. Consult a nutritionist or dietician for nutritional info based on the exact ingredients you use.