Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Stir together butter, eggs and vanilla and add to brown sugar mixture. Stir just until moistened. Coat 2 (12-cup) miniature muffin pans well with cooking spray. Place 1 tsp. finely chopped pecans in each muffin cup; spoon batter over pecans, filling almost to top. Place muffin pans on an aluminum foil-lined jelly-roll pan.
Bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack 2 minutes. Run a knife around edge of each cup to loosen muffins, and remove from pans.
Recipe by Messin' With Perfection at https://www.messinwithperfection.com/323/