12 Days of Christmas: Recipe #2 Pecan Tassies

INGREDIENTS
(torte)
· 1 large pkg. cream cheese (room temp.)
· 1/2 lb. butter (2 sticks- room temp.)
· 2 cups flour
(filling)
· 4 eggs
· 1/2 lb. butter (2 sticks)
· 2 cups of chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
· 2 cups raisins
· 1 tsp. vanilla
· 1 1/2 cups sugar

DIRECTIONS
(torte)
· cream together cream cheese & butter
· blend in flour slowly until a dough is created
· flour flat surface and roll out like crust (1/8- 1/4 inch thick)
· cut out circles - (2 inch diameter to fit crusts in mini cupcake tin)
· push each rolled-out dough circle in the mini cupcake tin
(filling)
· cream butter and sugar together
· beat eggs and add to creamed mixture
· add nuts, raisins, and vanilla
· mix well
· fill pastry cups 1/2 full

Bake @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
(makes 7 dozen)

When the pecan tassies come out of the oven they are warm and bubbly and delicious. You can serve them at room temperature, but they are best when warm. I made these little bite size wonders for our Holiday Housewarming Party. I got the recipe from my mom and was excited to make them because they are like little individual mini-pies. The cream cheese torte is nice and crusty. The filling is sweet and crunchy and keeps you coming back for more. This recipe makes a lot of them, so make sure you share!

Enjoy!