Easy Canadian Butter Tarts Recipe: Sweet Golden Goodness

Canadian butter tarts sparkle as a beloved national dessert with a rich, golden history.

Sweet pastry shells cradle a gooey, caramelized filling that dances between decadence and tradition.

Regional variations add intrigue to this iconic treat, each baker bringing personal flair to the classic recipe.

Generations of families have treasured this delightful confection, passing down techniques through careful kitchen wisdom.

Buttery, sugary notes meld into a complex flavor profile that tantalizes taste buds with every bite.

Crisp pastry edges contrast beautifully with the luscious, molten center, creating a textural symphony that beckons dessert lovers.

True culinary magic happens when simple ingredients enhance into something extraordinary.

What Makes Canadian Butter Tarts a Must-Try Treat

• Indulge in Buttery Bliss: Canadian butter tarts offer a melt-in-your-mouth experience with their rich, creamy filling and flaky, tender crust that captures the essence of classic Canadian dessert traditions.
• Maple-Infused Comfort: The addition of pure maple syrup transforms these tarts into a sweet celebration of Canadian culinary heritage, creating a nostalgic treat that warms both heart and palate.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, even novice bakers can easily create these delectable tarts in just over an hour, making them perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings or last-minute gatherings.

Everything You Need to Bake Canadian Butter Tarts

• Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure and base for the delicate pastry crust.
• Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to balance the crust's texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps control gluten development.
• Butter: Cold butter creates flaky, tender layers in the crust, essential for perfect texture.
• Cold Water: Helps bind the dough and create a smooth, workable pastry.

• Butter: Creamy base that provides rich, smooth texture to the filling.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, caramel-like sweetness characteristic of traditional butter tarts.
• Eggs: Binding agent that gives structure and richness to the filling.
• Maple Syrup: Authentic Canadian touch that adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic notes to complement the sweet filling.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the tart.

• Muffin Pan: Helps shape and support the delicate tart crusts during baking.
• Plastic Wrap: Used for resting and chilling the pastry dough.
• Round Cutter: Ensures uniform size and shape for the tart crusts.

How to Make Classic Butter Tarts from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Crust Ingredients

Gather flour, sugar, salt, cold butter, and cold water in your workspace.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

Use a food processor to pulse flour, sugar, and salt until well combined.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter

• Add cold butter chunks
• Pulse 5-8 times until butter breaks into small pieces
• Mixture should look crumbly

Step 4: Form Dough

Gradually add cold water and pulse until dough starts to come together.

Step 5: Chill Dough

• Transfer dough onto plastic wrap
• Shape into two flat discs
• Refrigerate for at least 1 hour

Step 6: Roll Out Dough

• Sprinkle flour on work surface
• Roll one dough portion to 1/8 inch thickness
• Cut 15 circles using a 4-inch round cutter

Step 7: Prepare Muffin Pans

• Grease 12-cup muffin pan plus 3 additional cups
• Gently press dough circles into muffin cups
• Refrigerate prepared crusts

Step 8: Create Filling

• Cream butter and brown sugar until smooth
• Add eggs one at a time
• Mix in maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract

Step 9: Fill Tart Shells

Pour filling into prepared crusts, filling each about 2/3 full.

Step 10: Bake Tarts

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Bake for 25 minutes
• Filling should be set but slightly soft

Step 11: Cool and Serve

• Let tarts cool in pan for 5 minutes
• Transfer to cooling rack
• Serve and enjoy!

Easy Tips for Baking Rich, Gooey Tarts

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the pastry dough for at least 1 hour to ensure a flaky, tender crust that won't shrink during baking.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Press the dough circles gently into muffin cups, avoiding stretching, which can cause uneven baking and thick crusts.
• Master the Filling Texture: Remove tarts from the oven when the filling is just set but still slightly jiggly for that classic Canadian butter tart wobble.
• Control Sweetness Levels: Adjust the amount of maple syrup to create a runnier or firmer filling based on personal preference.
• Keep Edges Trim: Carefully trim any excess dough hanging over the muffin cup edges to create a neat, professional-looking tart.

How to Store and Serve Butter Tarts Later

• Refrigeration: Seal cooled butter tarts in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Wrap individual tarts tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for 2-3 months.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated tarts in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or thaw frozen tarts at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

What to Enjoy with Canadian Butter Tarts

• Pair with Sweet Canadian Ice Wine: Complement the rich, buttery tarts with a chilled glass of Ontario's famous ice wine, enhancing the maple and caramel notes.
• Serve Alongside Robust Coffee: Brew a strong Canadian dark roast coffee to cut through the sweetness and provide a delightful contrast to the tart's creamy filling.
• Match with Cinnamon-Spiced Whipped Cream: Whip fresh cream with a touch of cinnamon to add a warming, spicy dimension that elevates the traditional butter tart flavor profile.
• Enjoy with Vanilla Bean Chai Tea: The fragrant spices of chai will beautifully complement the sweet, caramelized filling of these classic Canadian treats.

Butter Tart Variations to Explore

• Maple Pecan Crunch: Add chopped pecans to the filling and sprinkle extra nuts on top before baking for a nutty, textural enhancement.
• Chocolate Swirl Butter Tarts: Incorporate melted dark chocolate into the filling, creating a rich marbled effect that complements the classic buttery base.
• Fruit-Infused Classic: Mix in finely chopped dried cranberries or raisins to the filling, bringing a subtle fruity sweetness and additional depth to the traditional Canadian treat.
• Salted Caramel Edition: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the tarts after baking, adding a sophisticated layer of flavor that balances the sweet filling.

Canadian Butter Tarts Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet Canadian butter tarts blend rich pastry with a gooey, caramel-like filling that whispers maple country charm. Flaky crusts cradle a luscious center, inviting you to savor a classic Canadian dessert that celebrates simple, delightful baking traditions.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (cold)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup maple syrup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ¾ cup water (cold)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Dry and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pastry base by combining flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor, creating a fine, even mixture.
2. Introduce cold butter chunks and pulse briefly until the butter breaks down into small, pea-sized fragments.
3. Slowly incorporate cold water, pulsing gently until the dough begins to form a cohesive mass.
4. Divide the dough into two portions, shape into flat discs using plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to enhance texture and flavor.
5. On a lightly dusted surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thin, uniform thickness, approximately 1/8 inch.
6. Use a 4-inch round cutter to create 15 precise dough circles for the tart shells.
7. Carefully line a 12-cup muffin pan and 3 additional muffin cups with the dough circles, gently pressing to form smooth shells.
8. Refrigerate the prepared crusts while preparing the filling to maintain their structure.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an optimal baking environment.
10. Whip butter and brown sugar together until achieving a creamy, smooth consistency.
11. Incorporate eggs individually, then blend in maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract until fully integrated.
12. Fill each prepared crust approximately two-thirds full with the luxurious filling mixture.
13. Bake for 25 minutes, watching for a set yet slightly soft filling texture.
14. Allow the tarts to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to complete the setting process.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that’s easy to handle and prevents shrinking during baking.
• Customize the filling by adding chopped nuts, raisins, or a splash of rum for extra depth and personal flair.
• Line the muffin cups carefully, ensuring the dough is pressed evenly to create a perfect shell for the sweet filling.
• Watch the baking time closely – these tarts can quickly go from perfectly golden to overdone, so keep an eye on them after 20 minutes.
• Let the tarts cool slightly in the pan to help them set, preventing them from falling apart when removing.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg