Nectarine Pecan Cookie Tarts Food

KATHIE LEE GIFFORD'S PECAN TARTS

Steps:

• FOR THE CRUST:.
• Cream together the softened butter and cream cheese.
• Add the flour and beat well.
• Mold into mini muffin tins, muffin cups, or any little container [these are BEST when they are bite-sized].
• Refrigerate in pans overnight.
• FOR THE FILLING:.
• Beat egg well and add oil, vanilla, brown sugar, salt and pecans.
• To assemble: Put a small ball of crust mixture into each hole of a mini muffin tin and, with a wet spoon, press into the bottom and sides. Repeat.
• Then fill each shell to 2/3 full with pecan mixture.
• Bake at 350º for 25 minutes.
• Let cool.
• Note: when I feel too lazy to make little tarts, I have made this as a pie - pressing the crust into a 9 X 5 loaf pan or a 9 inch square pan -- and poured the filling in -- and it satisfies the craving.

PECAN TARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In medium bowl combine sugar, pecans, eggs, butter and vanilla.
• Spoon 1 teaspoon of mixture into each prepared tart shell.
• Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• On a wire rack, cool 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely.
• Crust:
• In large bowl combine flour, margarine and cream cheese to form soft dough.
• Shape into 3/4 inch balls.
• Press into ungreased mini muffin pans to form tart shells.

NECTARINE TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Peel the nectarines and cut into slices. Toss with the lemon juice and a few pinches of sugar if the fruit is not too sweet. If the fruit is sweet and fresh skip the sugar. Set aside.
• Cream the sugar and butter in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and eggs and beat until combined.
• Spoon batter into a 10 inch pie pan (it will look like there is not enough batter but there is). Place the nectarine slices on top of the batter packing them in tightly. Sprinkle lightly with lemon juice and some sugar, depending on the sweetness of the fruit.
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes until golden brown. Cool. Refrigerate if desired. Sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar on top if desired.