Classic Canadian Butter Tarts with a Gooey Filling
Classic Canadian Butter Tarts are more than just a dessert—they’re a sweet, flaky bite of tradition. Whether you love yours with raisins, pecans, or plain, these tarts are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and warm your soul.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans or raisins (optional)
Instructions
-
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and granulated sugar. Cut in the cold butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk, then add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time until a firm dough forms.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles large enough to line the muffin cups, then gently press each circle into the tin.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, vanilla, and salt until the mixture is smooth. Fold in raisins or pecans if using.
- Pour the filling into each pastry shell, filling them about ¾ of the way full. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until the filling is bubbling and the pastry edges are golden.
- Allow the butter tarts to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Let cool completely—or enjoy them slightly warm for the ultimate gooey experience.