Marlys' Tasty Pecan Toffees (Small Pans)

PASTRY SHELLS:

1/2 cup butter
1 package (3 ounce) cream cheese
1 cup sifted flour
1/8 teaspoon salt

Cream butter and cheese, add flour and salt, shape into 24 small balls and press dough evenly nto bottom and sides of muffing pans (bottom diameter 1 1/4 inches)

FILLING:

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 egg
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Divide the 1/4 cup nuts into pastry shells. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over nuts. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup nuts on top. Bake in preheated oven at 350F for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 250F and bake 10 minutes more.

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen

NOTE: This recipe calls for a gas oven, but since that's not always realistic, I suggest watching to be sure they don't burn in an electric oven.