Li'l Pecan Pies

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons shortening, chilled
• 4 teaspoons ice water
• 1/3 cup pecan halves
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• whipped cream (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a bowl, combine flour and salt. cut shortening into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork after each addition, until it forms a ball. cover and refrigerate at least 1/2 hour.
• 2 preheat oven to 375* f.
• 3 divide dough in half. roll each into a 6-inch circle. transfer pastry to each of two 4-inch tart pans. fit pastry into pans, trimming with a sharp knife along top edge if needed.
• 4 arrange pecan halves in pastry shells.
• 5 in a bowl, combine egg, corn syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla. mix together well and carefully pour over the pecans.
• 6 place tarts on a baking sheet and bake at 375* f for 35-40 minutes, or until a knife tip inserted near center comes out clean.
• 7 cool on a wire rack. remove from tins. top with whipped cream, if desired, and serve.