Tassies Dessert

Tassies

Tassies are one of THE BEST desserts! They are not one of the easiest desserts to make. I swear it is totally worth your time to make them though!

Ingredients:

Crust

• 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch of salt

Filling

• 4 ounces pitted dried dates (about 3/4 cup)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• Confectioners’ sugar for dusting or whipped cream for garnish

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 
2. To prepare crust: Pulse flour, brown sugar, walnuts, cornstarch, 2 tablespoons butter and salt in a food processor (a mini food processor works well) until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Divide the crust mixture among mini muffin cups (about 1 1/4 teaspoons per cup) and press evenly into the bottoms.
3. To prepare filling: Combine dates, water, brown sugar and 2 1/2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has cooked away, 8 to 12 minutes. Let cool slightly, then process the date mixture in a blender or food processor until processed into a paste. Add cream cheese and vanilla; blend or process to combine. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in pecans. Divide the date-nut filling among muffin cups (1 generous teaspoon each), gently pressing the filling down and smoothing the tops.
4. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is lightly cooked, 15 to 17 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Loosen the edges of the crust with a small spatula or butter knife and transfer the tassies to a wire rack to cool. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

I hope you're brave enough to try making tassies. If so, let me know how they turn out! Check back tomorrow for my last recipe before Thanksgiving. It's a veggie recipe, and it's a good one! For more side dishes, go to my website www.abbyshroka.com 

Wishing you all health, hope, & happiness this Thanksgiving

Abby