Pecan Pie Bites

OK.  Now we have a problem.  I pretty much love everything that the Pioneer Woman puts out there - but I'm just going on record, Mrs. BA's Pecan Bars ROCK.  These might be good - but Mrs. BA's would be better, I just know it.  From a Land O' Lakes recipe via the Pioneer Woman.

Pecan Pie Bites
40 min. prep time 
1:25 total time 
36 cookies 

Cookie

• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 

Filling

• 1 cup finely chopped pecans 
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions 
Heat oven to 350ºF. Spray 36 mini muffin pan cups with no-stick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, butter, egg yolk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add flour, baking powder and salt; beat at low speed until well mixed.

Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls; place each into prepared mini muffin pan cups, pressing dough onto bottom and up one-third sides of each cup, creating a shallow cup.

Combine all filling ingredients in bowl; spoon 1 teaspoon filling into each cookie.

Bake 13-15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 10 minutes in pan on cooling rack.

Remove cookies from pans by running small knife around edge of cookie. Place onto cooling rack; cool completely.

Nutrition Facts (1 cookie) 
Calories: 80 
Fat: 5g 
Cholesterol: 10mg 
Sodium: 25mg 
Carbohydrates: 10g 
Dietary Fiber: 0g 
Protein: 1g