You may not know it, but Canadian butter tarts are a national obsession: that perfectly flaky shell, that sweet, buttery, caramel filling, all that melt-in-your-mouth goodness, and the great raisin debate…who could resist!
You don’t have to be Canadian to enjoy the perfect Canadian Butter Tart. For those of you that haven’t yet been able to experience this delicious dessert, it’s similar to a Pecan Pie. However, the filling in Butter Tarts is typically a little runnier. (Oh, and you know, pecans aren’t a necessary component in a butter tart recipe!)
The Entirely-True-Not-At-All-Exaggerated-Story of How I was Cursed
I’m going to let you in on a dark secret of mine. It’s something that might change the way you think of me. But I gotta be honest with you, bestie. I am terrible at working with dough.
And I don’t mean, ‘terrible’ like a modest food blogger says “Oh, I’m not great at making cake.” I mean, terrible. Like, “Run away! Riz is trying to work with dough again!”
Seriously, it’s like a warzone when I work with dough. It’s something I’ve been actively working on improving, but there is a decent possibility that I have been cursed.
You see, once upon a time…back when I was writing my master’s thesis, I borrowed a library book that someone else wanted. I got there first, she arrived just as I was checking out the book, and pleaded with me. She told me about her low grades, about how *that* book had the power to change everything, and how grateful she would be if I gave it to her first.
I didn’t.
Don’t judge me too harshly. Grad school is vicious, bestie!
I could faintly hear the rumble of thunder outside the library. She snarled at me and said, “I CURSE YOU! I CURSE YOU AND YOUR SECOND-RATE THESIS. From this day forward, dough will crumble in your fingers…but not in that nice way…in that not-nice way that nobody likes. So there!” And then the power went out. And a wolf howled.
And it was true. That weekend, when I tried to make pie, I made dough rain from the kitchen ceiling after using an electric mixer (…at an embarrassingly high speed). I also over-baked the pie shell to the point where the only discernible flavour in it was “smoky”. It was the perfect storm.
(Okay, fine…I may have very slightly embellished the above story.)
(Also, my thesis was really rather interesting. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read 50,000 words on the various geopolitical risks associated with nuclear missile strategies painstakingly analysed, juxtaposed with discussion of the history and technical evolution of missile defence programs? My point exactly. It was riveting stuff!)
What I’m trying to say (in a very roundabout way) is that despite what is clearly an unusually specific curse that makes me terrible at working with dough. I’ve been trying to get better. And if you suffer from a similar magical affliction, don’t worry. Because for every crazy storm you create in the kitchen, you have a new opportunity to remind yourself that nothing would grow if it didn’t rain first.
The Best Butter Tart Recipe?
So, as you may have guessed for the last section, I may not be the ideal person to come up with a recipe for Canadian butter tarts. So, I didn’t. Instead, I attended a cooking class with Chef Shai Mandel who taught me her wonderful butter tart recipe. It’s reproduced here in its entirety with her permission. (Because something as delicious as this, should never be kept a secret!)
As for what constitutes, the best butter tarts…well, that’s going to depend quite a bit on you. This recipe results in a crisp but flaky shell, and a slightly runny filling with a rich caramel flavour to it. Some people prefer their filling to be as runny as a river, and others prefer firmer fillings. As far as I’m concerned, this recipe produces perfect butter tarts.
Canadian Butter Tarts & The Great Raisin Debate
I would be amiss writing a post about butter tarts while not addressing The Great Raisin Debate that has plagued taste buds for decades. Here’s the gist, one group of people feel that butter tarts taste great with raisins in them; the other group does not agree.
Where do I stand on it? Honestly, I don’t think people need to worry about it as much as they do. Everyone is entitled to enjoy whatever flavour combination tickles their taste buds, and no one should ever be made to feel bad for enjoying (or not enjoying) the addition of raisins to a butter tart recipe.
Personally, I don’t really like raisins in my butter tarts. But it’s not as bad as when you discover an impostor raisin disguised as chocolate inside a chocolate chip cookie!
Pecans are a wonderful addition to this recipe though.
Helpful Tools (Affiliate Links)
Heads up! The following are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission. You won’t need to pay a penny more, but it’ll help keep my lights on! Thank you, bestie. You’re the best!
- Nonstick Muffin Pan – you’ll need this (or something similar) to bake in!
- Bake with Anna Olson – if you’re afflicted with any basic baking issues like I was, this book probably has a recipe to help you work through it!
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Let’s Reminisce
One Year Ago: Raspberry Cheesecake-Stuffed Pound Cake
Two Years Ago: Shakshuka – Eggs in a Spicy Tomato Sauce
Three Years Ago: Orange-Blueberry Smoothie
📖 Recipe
Canadian Butter Tarts
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 Tarts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A recipe for the perfect Canadian butter tart recipe with a crisp-but-flaky pastry shell, a slightly runny filling, with a rich caramel flavour.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 375g all-purpose flour
- 160g cold unsalted butter, cut into ½” pieces
- 125g vegetable shortening or pure lard
- 100g COLD water
- 7.5g salt
- 15g brown sugar
Filling:
- ⅓ cup lightly packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup corn syrup
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup pecans (optional)
Instructions
To Make the Pastry:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the salt, sugar, flour, and shortening mix together.
- Rub shortening into flour until reduced to pea sized crumbs. Once pea-sized crumbs, grate cold butter into flour. Toss butter lightly using the salad tossing method.
- Add cold water little bits at a time, mixing in between additions. Mix just enough to incorporate, do not over mix!
- Transfer dough to floured table. Shape into a thick disc. Tightly cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
- On a lightly-floured surface, roll out dough and cut 12 4-inch circles. Press dough circles into muffin cups.
- Chill in the fridge while you prepare the filling (Cold pastry going into a hot oven will be flakier).
To Make the Filling:
- Combine all filling ingredients (except pecans, if you chose to add).
- Mix well.
- Sprinkle pecans on bottom of pastry if included. (Optional)
- Fill tart shells ⅔s full with syrup mixture.
- Bake on bottom shelf of oven at 425 degrees F for 12 – 15 minutes.
- Remove tarts from pans, and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
If you want a firmer, less runny filling simply add an additional egg, increase the brown sugar to ¾ cup and decrease the corn syrup to ¼ cup.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
Keywords: Butter Tarts, Canadian Butter Tarts. Butter Tart recipe with pecans, butter tart recipe,
candy
I loved reading your curse store and that thesis sorry I haven’t read. Now those tarts now there is something I can get my hand and teeth into. Looks delicious.
Riz
Hey Candy, thanks for commenting! I’m glad you enjoyed the story…and I hope you do get your teeth into the tarts soon!
Shawn
Laughed at this! I’m sure you’re not cursed… are you?! 😁 I’ve never tried baking butter tarts myself, but I’ve loved trying all kinds of various adaptations of them across Canada. From chic little bakeries to truck stops… I am also not a huge fan of raisins, but pecans add that something special to them. Tried some tarts once that had spicy pecans in the tarts… was a unique taste! Also, dark chocolate drizzled over finished tarts is quite scrumptious. I’d love to travel across the country and find people’s best spots for butter tarts. A TV show perhaps? 😁
Riz
I’m not sure Shawn, I think I may still be a little cursed – dough is still more of a challenge than I’d like it to be. But I’ll keep working at it whenever I get a chance, and I’ll hopefully beat the curse one of these days!
Spicy pecan butter tarts??! That DOES sound pretty interesting! Oooh…yes, dark chocolate drizzle over a pecan butter tart is yummy experience. Do you think you have a favourite variation?
You should totally get a TV Show! Got any contacts at The Food Network that could hook you up? “Shawn’s Canadian Butter Tart Adventure”, maybe?
Shawn
With all the variations, I enjoy going back to the classic butter tart. If I secure a TV spot, I’ll let you know! 😆
Riz
I’ll look forward to it!
Charlotte
That crust looks so flakey!! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Riz
I hope you enjoy it Charlotte! The crust on this one is great!
[email protected]
A cursed grad student. Raining dough. Peace-making in the Great Raisin Debate. You’ve got it all here Riz, and I’m loving it. Oh and a killer recipe to boot (glad you were allowed to share it with us all). Thanks for the great read. Cheers!
Riz
Thanks Sean, I’m glad you enjoyed the read! Hopefully you enjoy the recipe too!
Denise from Urb’n’Spice
You have done an exemplary job describing the most famous of our Canadian butter tarts, Riz. They look wonderful .. it’s time to make more ! 😊❤️👍
★★★★★
Riz
Aww thanks, Denise! I agree…it’s definitely time to make more butter tarts!
Kristen
Riz , these look delicious – cursed or not!
My boyfriend loves butter tarts and I have my own recipe, but I love checking out new ones.
I keep reworking mine to get the perfect combination of everything, Thanks for sharing your recipe and your story!
Riz
Hi Kristen! I know what you mean, I’m constantly tweaking recipes looking for the moment of perfection too! Happy baking!
MDIVADOMESTICA
Great story about the thesis, but have you ever considered that the addition of raisins to the butter tarts my just fully lift that curse? Just saying as I a Pro-Raisin in butter tarts and have a hidden agenda to convert as many over to Team Raisin as possible. Think about it. You know where to reach me. Meetings held monthly.
Riz
…..No. You’re trying to trick me. I won’t fall for your dastardly raisin plot!
….are there swag bags at these meetings?
Lily {Gastro Senses}
Oh, my glorious butter tarts! I’m so in love with them! That caramel filling, the buttery shell and pecans for the win!
Riz
That’s so nice of you to say Lily! And I agree, pecans in butter tarts for the win!
Lindsay Smith
it turns otu that I’m not that good with dough either! I had my mom help! LOL! BUT IT TASTED DELICIOUS! AND WE OBOTH laughed that I must be cursed too!
★★★★★
Riz
Hahaha! I feel your pain! But I’m glad you had mum around to lend a helping hand! (Isn’t it magical how mum’s are curse-proof?)
Dol
It just looks so good! I want to eat all of them myself!
★★★★★
Riz
Thanks Dol! If you make them, you totally can! 😀
Mrs. Currie
I sure are brave taking on the Great Canadian Butter Tart Debate. I too, love butter tarts. However, I find that your butter tarts look different than any I have ever seen. Usually butter tarts have much more filling than pastry. After all, It is the filling that is the point! You have awakened the longing for butter tarts, in me. I guess it is time to break out the currents (yes, I am a currents-in-my-butter-tarts girl).
Riz
Hi Mrs Currie! Ahhh…I hope you’ve had some butter tarts recently. I actually just had one last night. So I fill my butter tarts by hand without any measuring so the filling varies a teensy bit from tart to tart…for more filling, simply use a little less dough for the tart (leaving more room for filling). This recipe actually has a delicious flaky crust, and I don’t mind having a little less filling in some of them 🙂