The Best Gooey Butter Tarts Recipe for Sweet Treat Lovers

Sweet, gooey butter tarts have been a cherished Canadian delicacy for generations.

Maple-loving bakers across the country treasure this nostalgic treat.

Crisp pastry shells cradle a rich, caramelized filling that melts in your mouth.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dessert with love and patience.

Provincial variations add unique twists to the basic recipe, making each batch special.

Crisp edges and a gooey center create a magical contrast you won’t be able to resist.

Follow along to create these irresistible tarts that will make your taste buds dance with delight.

Butter Tarts That Melt in Your Mouth

• Craft Quick Canadian Comfort: Easy homemade butter tarts deliver authentic Canadian dessert experience with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Stress-Free Baking: Simple step-by-step instructions allow bakers of all levels to create professional-looking pastries without complicated techniques or specialized equipment.
• Versatile Make-Ahead Treat: Prepare dough in advance and refrigerate up to a week, allowing flexible scheduling and spontaneous dessert preparation for unexpected guests or sudden sweet cravings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Classic recipe appeals to multiple generations, perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and holiday celebrations where traditional flavors bring people together.

Ingredients for Classic Butter Tarts

• Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture for the tart crust.
• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the pastry dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pastry.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers in the crust and adds rich flavor.
• Cold Water: Helps bind the pastry ingredients together.

• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, caramel-like sweetness to the tart filling.
• Corn Syrup: Gives a smooth, glossy texture and additional sweetness.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and depth to the filling.
• Eggs: Bind the filling and create a smooth, custard-like consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, aromatic flavor to the tart.

• Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang and helps tenderize the pastry crust.

How to Bake Butter Tarts

Step 1: Craft the Pastry Dough

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in flour, sugar, and salt. Crumble cold butter into the mixture using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until it looks like tiny pebbles.

For a quicker method, pulse ingredients in a food processor until crumbly.

Step 2: Bind the Dough

Slowly add cold water to the mixture, gently kneading until the dough comes together in a smooth ball.

If the dough feels dry, sprinkle in a bit more ice water.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Shape the dough into a thick disk and wrap it snugly in plastic wrap.

Tuck it into the refrigerator for at least an hour – or up to a week if you’re planning ahead.

Step 4: Roll Out the Pastry

Spread a piece of wax paper and roll out the chilled dough to an even thickness.

Step 5: Cut Pastry Rounds

Use a cookie cutter or a wide-rimmed cup to cut perfect circles about 3.5-4 inches wide.

Step 6: Prepare Tart Shells

Gently press the pastry rounds into a muffin pan, making sure they cover the bottom and sides completely.

Patch any holes by pinching the pastry together. Pop the pan in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up.

Step 7: Preheat the Oven

Warm up the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 8: Mix the Filling

• Brown sugar
• Corn syrup
• Melted butter
• Eggs
• Vinegar (optional)
• Vanilla extract

Step 9: Fill the Tart Shells

Pour the filling evenly into the prepared pastry shells.

Step 10: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the muffin pan into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for a golden-brown crust and slightly puffed filling.

Step 11: Cool and Set

Let the tarts rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 12: Store and Enjoy

Keep your butter tarts in the refrigerator for several days or freeze for up to 3 months – if they last that long!

Tips to Perfect Butter Tart Texture

• Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that melts in your mouth. Avoid overworking the pastry to prevent tough, dense results that compromise the delicate texture.
• Prevent soggy bottoms by prebaking the tart shells for 5-10 minutes before adding the filling, which helps create a crisp base that holds up to the sweet, gooey center.
• Try fillings by adding chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to customize your butter tarts and create unique flavor combinations that surprise and delight.
• Use room temperature eggs to help the filling blend smoothly and create a consistent texture that sets perfectly during baking. Room temperature ingredients always produce more even results.
• For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend, ensuring you maintain the same measurements and mixing technique for best results.

Variations on Butter Tarts to Explore

• Gluten-Free Butter Tarts: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains a similar flaky texture.
• Vegan Butter Tart Alternative: Swap butter with coconut oil, use maple syrup instead of corn syrup, and replace eggs with a mixture of ground flaxseed and water to create a plant-based rendition of the classic Canadian treat.
• Nutty Caramel Butter Tarts: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling and add a splash of bourbon for a rich, sophisticated flavor profile that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Maple Pecan Butter Tarts: Use pure maple syrup as the primary sweetener and top each tart with a sprinkle of toasted pecans before baking for a quintessential Canadian-inspired dessert.

Pairing Suggestions for Butter Tarts

• Complement the rich, buttery sweetness of butter tarts with a late harvest Riesling or Icewine from Canada, which matches the tart's sugary profile and cuts through its creamy texture.
• Serve alongside a smooth cappuccino or latte, allowing the warm, rich coffee to balance the tart's sweetness and provide a delightful contrasting temperature experience.
• Top butter tarts with a scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream, creating a decadent dessert combination where the cold, creamy vanilla softens the tart's intense sweetness.

Storage Tips for Butter Tarts

• Refrigerate: Seal butter tarts in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual tarts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Thaw: Remove frozen tarts from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Avoid microwave thawing to preserve pastry crispness.
• Reheat: Warm tarts gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This method helps restore the crispy crust and warm, gooey filling without drying out the pastry.

FAQs

• What are butter tarts traditionally associated with?

Butter tarts are a classic Canadian dessert originating from Ontario, deeply rooted in Canadian culinary heritage and beloved across the country as a quintessential sweet treat.

• Why is vinegar used in the recipe?

Vinegar helps prevent the sugar from crystallizing and adds a subtle tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the tart filling, creating a more complex taste profile.

• Can I make the pastry dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pastry dough up to a week in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator, which actually helps the gluten relax and makes the crust more tender.

Butter Tarts Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Iconic Canadian butter tarts showcase rich, flaky pastry filled with sweet, gooey caramel-like filling. Maple-loving bakers delight in this classic dessert that embodies Canadian culinary heritage. You’ll savor each delectable bite of pure comfort.

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Ingredients

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• 2 eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar (190 grams)
• 1/2 cup golden corn syrup
• 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins or pecans (optional)
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (227 grams)
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (112 grams)
• 1/3 cup cold water
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Craft the pastry base by blending flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Integrate cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, using a pastry cutter or food processor.
2. Introduce cold water gradually, working the dough until it forms a compact ball. Add additional ice water if the dough appears dry or crumbly.
3. Transform the dough into a thick disk, encase in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour to enhance texture and flavor.
4. On a floured surface, roll the pastry to an even thickness, approximately 1/8 inch thin.
5. Cut circular dough rounds using a cookie cutter or small bowl, creating 3.5-4 inch diameter shapes.
6. Gently press dough rounds into a 12-cup muffin pan, ensuring complete coverage of bottom and sides. Repair any tears by pinching pastry together.
7. Freeze the prepared tart shells for 10-15 minutes to maintain structural integrity.
8. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing for baking.
9. Whisk brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, vinegar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until thoroughly combined.
10. Pour the filling evenly into each unbaked tart shell, leaving a small margin at the top.
11. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry turns golden and filling slightly puffs and sets.
12. Remove from oven and let tarts rest in the pan for 10 minutes to stabilize.
13. Transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling before serving or storing.
14. Refrigerate for several days or freeze up to 3 months for extended preservation.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that melts in your mouth.
• Use ice-cold butter and water to create the perfect pastry texture that’s light and crisp.
• Blind bake the tart shells briefly to prevent a soggy bottom and maintain a crisp crust.
• Experiment with different fillings like raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips to customize your butter tarts and add extra flavor and texture.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 140 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg