Sunday, December 19, 2010

Aunt Ionia's Pecan Cups and Last Day to Enter Apron Giveaway


Today is the last day to enter my giveaway for the Mrs. Christmas Apron.  Click HERE to enter. 

Our Christmas Angel, Aunt Ionia hosted Christmas Eve every year.  After a sumptuous dinner, the men would wash and dry the dishes and silverware by hand!, She would always have fancy Christmas dish towels that they were NOT supposed to use to dry the dishes; each year they would tease her that they were using the fancy towels! 

 After the dish washing, Ionia would bring out a cookie tray.  There would be a least nine kinds of cookies, served with peppermint ice cream.  All of these were made by Ionia; no one was allowed to bring anything to her Christmas Eve feast.  She would store the tins, with Christmas goodness, on the steps leading to her attic.  Pecan Cups were my favorite on the cookie tray. They are buttery, yummy bites of deliciousness.

Recipe for Pecan Tarts

Cup Ingredients

1-1/2 cups of butter
1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese
3 cups flour

Cream butter, cream cheese together and then mix flour with hands.  Chill for about an hour.  Make into balls (about 1 tablespoon) and form into min muffin pans to make a crust.  It is better to use non-stick pans as they tend to stick.  You can also use the handle little tool that my mother-in-law Geniel gave me to make the cups.  I think it is a Pampered Chef item.


Filling:

3 cups brown sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla
2/3 cups pecans - cut in small pieces
4 eggs
4 tablespoons butter, very soft, but not melted.
3/4 teaspoons salt

Mix all filling ingredients together.  This is the recipe that was given me, but I only use about half of the filling; so half it if you like.  Fill the cups with about a little less than 1 teaspoon of filling.  Bake 325 degrees for about 22-25 minutes.  Like many things, these taste better the next day after baking.

The pecan cups with the filling waiting to be baked.



I hope you make some delicious Pecan Cups for those you love at Christmas!



Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes today.

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7 comments:

Pondside said...

Cream cheese - that's a new twist. I love Butter Tarts - nice and runny - on my Christmas tray.

Jacqueline said...

No wonder they are so great - cream cheese! I never knew that. Your presentation is fabulous. I sure would love one right now.These are always such a hit and I love the bite sized pieces. Yum. We will have to make these this year.

Kelly Massman said...

Those look realy yummy!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I call these Pecan Tassies and have them every Christmas Eve. Haven't made mine yet so I had better get cracking :)

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

We call them Pecan Tassies here also and today put dark chocolate on the bottom. You might be seeing them soon ;) Yum!

Merry Christmas, Joni!

Sue said...

Your Aunt Ionia sounds like a gem! What fun Christmas memories:) These pecan cups look really delicious and easy to eat! :)

Laura said...

I made these just last week for the first time. Everyone loved them so I have a feeling that they will become one of my Holiday "staples." Love your blog!

Engageya