Short Description
If you’ve never tried a butter tart, you’re in for a treat! These Best Classic Canadian Butter Tarts are everything you want in a dessert—sweet, buttery, with a gooey center, and a hint of vanilla. They’re the perfect little indulgence for any occasion. Whether you’re from Canada or simply looking to try something new, these tarts will quickly become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Butter tarts are one of Canada’s most beloved desserts, and it’s easy to see why. They’re sweet but not overly so, with a melt-in-your-mouth filling that’s perfectly balanced. The flaky pastry shell is the perfect contrast to the rich, buttery, and slightly caramelized filling. Best of all, these tarts are super simple to make, but the results are nothing short of impressive. They’re the kind of treat you’ll be proud to serve at any gathering—and I guarantee everyone will ask for the recipe!
Ingredients
The ingredients for butter tarts are pretty straightforward and you probably already have most of them in your pantry. I won’t list all of them here, but you’ll find the full list below, including the exact measurements:
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Corn syrup
- And some other pantry staples to make the perfect tart filling.
Directions
1. Prepare the Pastry
Start by preparing your pastry. In a bowl, mix together the flour and salt, then cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cold water a little at a time until the dough just comes together. Don’t overwork it! Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough stay nice and flaky when baked.
2. Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/8 inch thick. Using a round cutter (a drinking glass or cookie cutter works well), cut out circles of dough and fit them into a muffin tin or tart pan. Make sure to gently press the dough into the edges of the pans.
3. Make the Butter Tart Filling
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted, whisk in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and a pinch of salt. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat, and whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract. The filling should be smooth and glossy.
4. Fill the Tarts
Spoon the butter tart filling into each pastry shell, filling them almost to the top. You want them to be full but not overflowing, as the filling will bubble up a little as it bakes.
5. Bake the Tarts
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the tarts for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the filling is set and the edges of the pastry are golden brown. The center should still be slightly jiggly, but it will firm up as the tarts cool.
6. Cool and Serve
Let the tarts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. These little beauties are best served at room temperature, and the gooey filling will set perfectly as they cool. Serve them on their own or with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- If you like your butter tarts with a little crunch, you can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling before baking.
- Be careful not to overbake your tarts. The filling should be soft and slightly jiggly when you take them out of the oven—it will firm up as they cool.
- Use cold butter and cold water when making the pastry. This helps create a flaky crust that pairs perfectly with the gooey filling.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Add-ins: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add chocolate chips, pecans, or raisins to the filling before baking. These additions will give your tarts an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Corn syrup substitution: If you don’t have corn syrup, you can substitute with maple syrup for a more Canadian twist or honey for a different flavor profile.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Butter tarts are fantastic on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For something extra special, serve them with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They’re perfect for holiday dinners, gatherings, or just a cozy afternoon snack.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any leftover butter tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to a month. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, pop them in the oven for a few minutes at 300°F (150°C) or microwave them for a few seconds.
4 FAQs
- Can I make butter tarts ahead of time?
Yes! You can make them a day or two ahead of time and store them at room temperature. They also freeze beautifully if you want to make them in advance for a special occasion. - Why do my butter tarts overflow during baking?
Be careful not to overfill your tarts—leave a little room at the top. If the filling spills over, it could be because the tarts were filled too much or the oven temperature was too high. Keep an eye on them while they bake! - Can I make these without corn syrup?
Yes, you can substitute corn syrup with maple syrup or honey, though it will slightly change the flavor and texture. Maple syrup gives it a lovely Canadian twist! - Can I use store-bought pastry dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, using store-bought pastry dough is a great shortcut. Just make sure it’s a good quality dough to get the best results.
Conclusion
These Best Classic Canadian Butter Tarts are a perfect combination of rich, buttery flavor and gooey sweetness. They’re easy to make, and the results are always impressive. Whether you’re Canadian or just love a good dessert, these tarts are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Serve them at your next gathering, or enjoy them as a special treat for yourself—you won’t regret it!
Best Classic Canadian Butter Tarts – A Sweet Taste of Canada
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (for dough chilling)
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
If you’ve never tried a butter tart, you’re in for a treat! These Best Classic Canadian Butter Tarts are everything you want in a dessert—sweet, buttery, with a gooey center, and a hint of vanilla. They’re the perfect little indulgence for any occasion. Whether you’re from Canada or simply looking to try something new, these tarts will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- Butter: 1/2 cup (115g), cold and cubed (for the pastry)
- Brown Sugar: 1 cup (200g)
- Eggs: 2 large eggs
- Vanilla Extract: 1 tsp
- Corn Syrup: 1/2 cup (120ml)
- Flour: 1 1/4 cups (150g) (for the pastry)
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Cold Water: 3-4 tbsp (to bring dough together)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pastry: In a bowl, mix together flour and salt, then cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add cold water until the dough comes together. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Roll Out the Dough: Roll the dough to 1/8 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out circles and fit them into a muffin tin or tart pan.
- Make the Butter Tart Filling: Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and a pinch of salt. Once smooth, remove from heat and whisk in eggs and vanilla extract.
- Fill the Tarts: Spoon the filling into each tart shell, almost to the top.
- Bake the Tarts: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are golden and filling is set.
- Cool and Serve: Cool tarts in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
- You can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra texture.
- Make sure the butter and water are cold when making the pastry to achieve a flaky crust.
- The filling should be soft and slightly jiggly when removing from the oven, but will firm up as it cools.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg