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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry base by combining flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor, creating a fine, even mixture.
- Introduce cold butter chunks and pulse briefly until the butter breaks down into small, pea-sized fragments.
- Slowly incorporate cold water, pulsing gently until the dough begins to form a cohesive mass.
- 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.
- On a lightly dusted surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thin, uniform thickness, approximately 1/8 inch.
- Use a 4-inch round cutter to create 15 precise dough circles for the tart shells.
- Carefully line a 12-cup muffin pan and 3 additional muffin cups with the dough circles, gently pressing to form smooth shells.
- Refrigerate the prepared crusts while preparing the filling to maintain their structure.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an optimal baking environment.
- Whip butter and brown sugar together until achieving a creamy, smooth consistency.
- Incorporate eggs individually, then blend in maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract until fully integrated.
- Fill each prepared crust approximately two-thirds full with the luxurious filling mixture.
- Bake for 25 minutes, watching for a set yet slightly soft filling texture.
- 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