Pecan Bites

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. Next, lightly coat the mini tart pans or mini muffin pans with a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter and cream cheese using an electric mixer until you achieve a smooth consistency. Gradually incorporate flour into the mixture, one cup at a time, until you reach a uniform dough. Shape the dough into small balls and press them firmly into the prepared pans, covering both the bottoms and sides.

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add a pinch of salt to the mixture and stir in chopped pecans. Fill each crust with the sugar mixture, leaving about one-third of the pan empty.

Bake the tarts in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the filling has puffed up. Remove the tarts from the oven and let them cool for a short time in their pans before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.