Scrumptious Canadian Butter Tarts Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet, gooey, and utterly irresistible, these classic Canadian butter tarts burst with nostalgic charm from the moment you take a bite.

Generations of home bakers have perfected this beloved dessert that captures the heart of Canadian culinary tradition.

The rich, caramelized filling nestled in a flaky pastry shell creates a mouthwatering experience that beckons you closer.

Each tart tells a story of comfort and warmth, passed down through decades of kitchen memories.

Regional variations add depth to this iconic treat, making every bite a delightful exploration of flavor.

You’ll fall in love with the simplicity and decadence of these traditional tarts that showcase the best of Canadian baking.

Dive into this recipe and savor a sweet piece of Canadian heritage.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 9

Canadian Butter Tarts: What You’ll Need

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the flaky, tender base that cradles the sweet filling, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a delicate crust with a golden touch.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the tart.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates layers of flakiness, select high-quality, cold butter for the best results.
• Ice Water: Binds the dough together without developing too much gluten, ensuring a tender crust.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for the filling, room temperature works best.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, caramel-like sweetness that's quintessential to Canadian butter tarts.
• Large Eggs: Bind the filling and create a smooth, custard-like texture.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Authentic Canadian touch that adds complex, woodsy sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Elevates the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic essence.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet flavors in the filling.

• Raisins: Traditional mix-in that adds chewy texture and extra sweetness.
• Chopped Pecans: Provides crunch and nutty depth to the classic butter tart.

Must-Have Tools for Baking Butter Tarts

• Food Processor: Essential for quickly mixing and cutting butter into the dough.
• 4-Inch Round Cutter: Perfect for cutting precise dough circles for tart shells.
• Muffin Pan: 12-cup pan plus extra 3 cups for creating tart shells.
• Plastic Wrap: Used for chilling and shaping dough into discs.
• Mixing Bowl: For combining filling ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk or Electric Mixer: To cream butter and sugar, and mix filling ingredients.
• Rolling Pin: For rolling out dough to even 1/8-inch thickness.
• Cooling Rack: Helps tarts cool evenly after baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Make Classic Canadian Butter Tarts

Sweet Canadian Pastry Delights

• Dough Preparation

Create a tender, flaky crust by blending flour mixture in a food processor. Add chilled butter pieces and pulse gently until crumbly. Introduce cold water slowly, allowing dough to form naturally.

• Crust Shaping

Wrap dough discs in plastic and chill for one hour. Roll out on lightly powdered surface until thin. Cut delicate circles and nestle into buttered muffin tins, ensuring gentle placement.

• Flavor Creation

Whip softened butter with rich brown sugar until creamy. Gently incorporate eggs, followed by maple syrup, salt, and vanilla essence. Blend until smooth and silky.

• Baking Magic

Warm oven to a cozy 350°F. Fill each pastry shell approximately two-thirds full with luxurious mixture. Bake until edges turn golden and center remains slightly jiggly, around 25 minutes.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow tarts to rest briefly in pan, then transfer to cooling rack. These delectable treats will develop a gorgeous caramelized texture as they cool, promising a melt-in-your-mouth experience that captures the heart of Canadian baking tradition.

Butter Tart Upgrades to Try

• Replace maple syrup with corn syrup or golden syrup for a different flavor profile, giving your tarts a unique twist.
• Fold in chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins into the filling to create delightful crunch and extra depth of flavor.
• Experiment with dark or light brown sugar to adjust the richness, or add a splash of rum or bourbon for sophisticated adult-friendly tarts.
• Ensure ultra-flaky pastry by using frozen butter and handling the dough minimally to prevent tough crusts, keeping everything cold during preparation.

Serve Canadian Butter Tarts with Style

• Maple Syrup Drizzle: Enhance the classic Canadian flavor by adding a glossy drizzle of pure maple syrup over each butter tart just before serving.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Companion: Pair these warm, gooey butter tarts with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a delightful temperature and texture contrast.
• Spiced Whipped Cream Topping: Whip heavy cream with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg and dollop a small amount on top of each tart for an extra layer of indulgence.
• Afternoon Tea Partner: Serve these butter tarts alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea for an authentic Canadian-inspired afternoon treat that celebrates traditional flavors.

Save Your Butter Tarts

• Tasty Tart Storage Solutions: Quick Tips for Enjoying Canadian Butter Tarts
• Chilled Delight Containers: Store cooled butter tarts in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between each tart to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain maximum freshness and flavor.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual tarts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen butter tarts can last up to 3 months, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings or last-minute dessert needs.
• Room Temperature Magic: Keep tarts at cool room temperature for 1-2 days if serving within a short time frame. Place on a decorative plate, covered loosely with a clean kitchen towel to prevent drying out.
• Make-Ahead Mastermind: Prepare the pastry dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. Filling can be mixed and refrigerated overnight, making your baking process smooth and stress-free.

Heavenly Canadian Butter Tarts Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Sweet Canadian butter tarts offer a delightful pastry experience with rich, caramelized filling nestled in flaky crust. Canadians cherish this classic dessert that promises pure comfort and nostalgic charm for anyone craving a delectable treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 cups (315 g) flour
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter (cold)
• 1 cup (250 ml) maple syrup
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) water (cold)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp fine sea salt

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Instructions

1. Pastry Preparation: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor, then add cold butter chunks, processing until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Dough Formation: Gradually introduce cold water, pulsing until dough coheres, then divide into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for one hour to firm up.
3. Crust Shaping: Roll chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness, cut 15 circles using a 4-inch round cutter, and carefully line muffin pan, pressing to create smooth shells.
4. Filling Creation: Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then blend in eggs, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-incorporated.
5. Assembly and Baking: Fill chilled crusts two-thirds full with filling, then bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 25 minutes until filling sets but remains slightly soft.
6. Cooling and Finishing: Let tarts rest in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to complete setting, allowing the Canadian butter tarts to develop their signature texture and flavor.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate pastry dough for at least one hour to develop robust flavor and prevent shrinkage during baking.
• Master Butter Integration: Pulse butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse pea-sized crumbs for the most tender, flaky crust.
• Fill Precisely: Do not overfill tart shells; aim for two-thirds full to prevent messy overflow and ensure consistent baking.
• Temperature Watch: Keep oven at exact 350°F and monitor baking time closely, as tarts can quickly transition from perfectly golden to overdone.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg