Description
A rich, gooey, and buttery tart with a flaky crust, filled with a caramelized brown sugar filling that melts in your mouth. These Traditional Butter Tarts are a nostalgic Canadian treat, perfect for any dessert lover!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pastry:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3–4 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or corn syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins or chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
-
Make the Pastry:
- In a bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Form into a disk, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
-
Prepare the Tarts:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the chilled dough and cut into 12 rounds.
- Press into a muffin tin to form tart shells.
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Make the Filling:
- In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Stir in raisins or pecans if using.
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Fill and Bake:
- Spoon the filling into the tart shells, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden.
-
Cool and Serve:
- Let the tarts cool for 10 minutes before removing from the tin.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra flaky pastry, avoid overworking the dough.
- Maple syrup adds a rich, authentic Canadian flavor—perfect for Canada Day desserts!
- Butter tarts can be made with or without raisins—a long-standing Canadian debate!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
