Cheese Pastry: Let cheese and 1/2 c butter soften at room temperature; blend. Stir in flour. Chill about one hour. Shape in 2 dozen 1" balls. Place in ungreased 1 3/4" muffin pans. Press dough evenly against bottoms and sides of each.
Pecan Filling: Beat egg, brown sugar, and 1 T butter with vanilla and salt till smooth. Divide half the pecans among pastry lined pans; add egg mixture and top with remaining pecans.
Bake 325° for 25 minutes or till filling is set.
Recipe submitted by Dobie on 12/14/99