Butter Tarts
AI-generated image
Vegetarian Canadian

Butter Tarts

Classic Canadian butter tarts with flaky pastry shells, a glossy brown-sugar filling, and tender raisins suspended in every slice. The centers bake to a softly set, caramel-like consistency while the edges remain crisp.

60 min 12 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Whisk the flour and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Cut in 115 g of the cold butter with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few pea-sized pieces remaining.
2
Drizzle in the ice water and mix with a fork just until the dough holds together when pressed. Turn it onto the counter, shape it into a disk, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3
Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 3 mm thick. Cut twelve rounds slightly larger than the wells of a standard 12-cup muffin tin, press them gently into the wells, and refrigerate the lined tin for 15 minutes.
4
Heat the oven to 190°C. Place the raisins evenly in the chilled pastry shells.
5
Melt the remaining 35 g butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the brown sugar, corn syrup, egg, vanilla, and cream until smooth; do not boil the mixture.
6
Pour the filling into the shells, stopping about 5 mm below the rim. Bake on the center rack for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden and the filling is puffed at the edges with a gentle wobble in the center.
Freshly baked butter tarts with golden pastry and glossy centers AI-generated image
7
Cool the tarts in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a rack and cool completely. The filling will firm as it cools while remaining tender in the middle.
8
Serve the butter tarts at room temperature, either plain or with whipped cream or ice cream.
Butter tarts served at room temperature with a tender center AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

A cold, lightly handled pastry creates crisp shells, while brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup form a rich filling that sets around the edges but stays pleasantly soft in the center.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Store cooled butter tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring refrigerated tarts to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

How to reheat it

Warm individual tarts in a 160°C oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or serve them at room temperature. Do not microwave for long periods, as the filling can become overly runny and the pastry soft.

Nutrition / serving

302kcal
3.00 gprotein
48.12 gcarbs
11.67 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 15 Aug 2026 · updated 16 Aug 2026