Butter Tarts

Classic Canadian butter tarts with a gooey brown sugar filling in a flaky pastry shell — simple to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for impressing guests.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Canadian

Keyword: Butter Tarts, butter tarts canadian, butter tarts recipe, butter tarts recipe easy, canadian butter tarts, canadian butter tarts recipe, pecan butter tarts

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 20

Chilling Time: 30

Total Time: 1 20

Servings: tarts

Calories: 280kcal

Cost: $7

Equipment

1 Standard Muffin Tin (For baking tarts)
1 Large mixing bowl (For pastry and filling)
1 Pastry Cutter or Food Processor (To cut butter into flour)
1 Rolling pin (For rolling pastry)
1 Round cookie cutter (Sized to muffin tin wells)
Measuring cups & spoons (Standard set)

Ingredients

Pastry Shells

2 cups all-purpose flour - or gluten-free blend
1 cup cold butter - cubed
¼ cup ice water - add gradually
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar - optional, for slight sweetness

Filling

1 cup brown sugar - packed
½ cup butter - melted (or browned for extra flavor)
2 large - eggs
½ cup white corn syrup - or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar - optional, for balance

Optional Add-ins

½ cup raisins - or dried cranberries
½ cup chopped pecans - or walnuts, almonds
½ cup mini chocolate chips - kid-friendly

Instructions

Cut cold butter into flour, salt, and sugar until crumbly. Add ice water gradually until dough forms. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Roll dough to ⅛-inch thick, cut circles, and press into muffin tin cups. Trim edges, prick bottoms with fork, and chill 15 minutes.
Whisk brown sugar and melted/browned butter. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in corn syrup (or maple), vanilla, salt, and vinegar if using.
Add raisins or nuts to shells if desired. Fill each shell about ¾ full with filling.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until filling is set but still slightly jiggly.
Cool completely in the pan before removing. Store as desired.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

Nutrition