Caramel Tassies

Name: Caramel Tassies
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 4 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 6 ounces cream cheese, softened; 2 cups all-purpose flour; FILLING:; 1 package (14 ounces) caramels; 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons evaporated milk; FROSTING:; 1/4 cup shortening; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 2 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons evaporated milk; 3 to 4 tablespoons melted dark chocolate, optional

5 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 1 hour + chilling Bake: 15 min./batch + cooling

Makes

4 dozen

These buttery, smooth caramel tassies make a nice addition to a dessert tray. These are ones that my family looks forward to every year. —Jane Bricker, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
1 package (14 ounces) caramels
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons evaporated milk
FROSTING:
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
3 to 4 tablespoons melted dark chocolate, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Gradually add flour and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
Roll dough into 1-in. balls; press onto the bottom and up the sides of ungreased miniature muffin cups. Prick bottoms with a fork. Bake at 375° until golden brown, 15-17 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
In a small heavy saucepan over low heat, melt caramels with milk. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Using 2 spoons, fill pastry cups with caramel mixture. Cool to room temperature.
For frosting, in a small bowl, beat shortening and butter until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and milk until fluffy. Pipe onto filling. If desired, drizzle with melted chocolate. Store in the refrigerator.

Caramel Tassies Tips

Can you make caramel tassies ahead of time?

Many steps in this caramel tassies recipe need to be made ahead already, like creaming the butter and cream cheese, and storing the mixture in the fridge for at least an hour to cool. (Don't forget to soften the cream cheese and butter ahead of time, too!) Plus, the caramel filling has to cool before you pipe the frosting on top. So yes, you should plan to make these caramel tassies ahead of time!

What are some variations of these caramel tassies?

You could try replacing the caramel sauce with chocolate ganache or a salted caramel sauce instead. Or, add a different homemade frosting on top, like this cinnamon buttercream frosting recipe.

How long do caramel tassies last?

Don't expect any leftovers from this caramel tassies recipe (they're just too good!), but we recommend storing them for up to a day in an airtight container in the fridge.

—Christina Herbst, Taste of Home Assistant Digital Editor, and Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 tassie: 112 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 71mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.