Aunty Gloria’s Pecan Tarts

My Aunty Gloria in Hawaii is a great cook, and a genuinely very nice person. Before I get beat up by all my aunts (and I have a lot of them), I have to say all my aunts treated me well while growing up and are like second or third mothers to me. All of them have unique talents, skills, characteristics and traits. Those pecan tarts that I remember eating while growing up in Hawaii are only done by Aunty Gloria. It is an excellent pairing to morning coffee, tea, milk or ice cream desserts. Check out her recipe below!

Aunty Gloria’s Pecan Tarts

Ingredients:

Crust

2 sticks of butter	softened
2	3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
2	Cups all-purpose flour

Filling

2	Eggs (slightly beaten)
1-1/2	Cups brown sugar
48	Pecan halves
2	Tbsp butter, melted
1/2	Tsp vanilla extract
Dash of  salt

Instruction:

• In a large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat butter or margarine and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
• With spoon, stir in flour until blended.
• Divide dough into 4 pieces.
• Wrap each piece in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour or until easy to handle.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cut 1 piece of chilled dough into 12 pieces; press evenly into bottom and sides of twelve
• 1-1/4 inch muffin –pan cups.
• Spoon one fourth of filling into pastry-lined cups until each is ¾ full; top each with a pecan half.
• Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool cookies for 5 minutes in pan or wire rack.

Makes 4 dozen.