Butter Tarts – Easy Canadian Dessert Recipe

Few desserts are as iconic and comforting as Butter Tarts, a beloved Canadian treat with a rich, gooey filling and flaky pastry shell. Sweet, buttery, and slightly chewy, these tarts are the perfect blend of simple ingredients and irresistible flavor. Whether you enjoy them plain, filled with pecans, or studded with plump raisins, Butter Tarts are a nostalgic dessert that never goes out of style.

This easy recipe delivers everything you love about the traditional version—rich caramel notes, soft centers, and that signature slightly runny filling. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy weekends, they take only minutes to prepare yet taste like something from a classic bakery.

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The Essence of Butter Tarts

A Sweet Slice of Canadian Tradition

Butter Tarts are a cornerstone of Canadian baking. Dating back to the early 1900s, they were first featured in pioneer cookbooks and quickly became a staple across the country. Their charm lies in their simplicity—just a handful of pantry ingredients creates a decadent dessert that feels both homey and special. The filling is made from butter, brown sugar, eggs, and syrup, all baked inside tender tart shells until bubbling and golden.

The Perfect Filling: Gooey, Buttery, and Golden

The hallmark of a perfect Butter Tart is its texture. Some prefer the filling runny, others firm, but the key is balance—a glossy, buttery center that holds its shape while still melting in your mouth. The combination of brown sugar and dark corn syrup gives a deep caramel flavor, while a touch of lemon juice brightens the sweetness. Pecans and raisins add contrast and a satisfying chewiness.

Why This Recipe Works

This version simplifies the classic without compromising flavor. Using store-bought tart shells makes the process foolproof, while a stand mixer helps combine the ingredients quickly and evenly. In under 30 minutes, you can have bakery-style butter tarts cooling on your counter, ready to steal the show at any gathering.

A Dessert for Every Occasion

While Butter Tarts are a must-have during Christmas and holiday baking season, they’re also perfect year-round. Serve them at Easter brunches, summer picnics, or cozy winter dinners. They’re portable, freeze beautifully, and look stunning on dessert trays.

Ingredients for Classic Butter Tarts

The beauty of Butter Tarts lies in their simplicity. You only need a few pantry staples to create a rich, golden filling inside a flaky crust.

Ingredient	Quantity	Purpose
Dark corn syrup	⅓ cup	Adds deep caramel sweetness and glossy texture
Melted butter	⅓ cup	Gives the filling a rich, buttery flavor
Brown sugar	1 cup	Adds sweetness with hints of molasses
Eggs, lightly beaten	2 large	Helps bind the filling and gives structure
Lemon juice	1 teaspoon	Adds brightness and balances the sweetness
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon	Enhances the flavor with warm notes
Pecans, chopped	½ cup	Adds crunch and nutty richness
Raisins	½ cup	Adds chewiness and natural sweetness
Frozen tart shells, defrosted	24 mini shells	Creates a flaky, golden crust without hassle

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Butter Tarts

These Easy Butter Tarts come together quickly and bake up beautifully golden every time. Follow these steps to get that classic runny or firm texture—whichever you prefer.

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the tart shells on a rimmed baking sheet for easy handling and even baking.

2. Prepare the Filling

In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), combine the dark corn syrup, melted butter, and brown sugar. Mix until smooth.
Add the eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla, and whisk until fully blended and slightly frothy.

3. Add the Mix-ins

Gently fold in the pecans and raisins. If you prefer plump, juicy raisins, soak them in hot water for 5 minutes, then drain before mixing them in.

4. Fill the Tart Shells

Spoon the filling evenly into each tart shell, leaving about ¼ inch from the top to prevent overflow during baking.

5. Bake to Perfection

Bake the tarts for 12–15 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
They will puff up slightly in the oven and then settle as they cool — that’s how you know they’re perfect!

6. Cool and Serve

Let the tarts cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm for a gooey center or at room temperature for a firmer texture.

Baking Tips and Tricks

• For runny centers: Bake for only 12 minutes and cool slightly before serving.
• For firmer filling: Bake for 15 minutes or until the tops are deeply golden.
• Use dark corn syrup: It gives a richer flavor and a darker color than light corn syrup.
• Make-ahead option: Prepare the filling up to two days ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container.
• Homemade crust option: While store-bought shells are convenient, a homemade pastry adds extra flakiness and flavor.

Storage and Freezing Tips

Refrigerator: Store cooled tarts in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Layer tarts in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between them. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Warm frozen tarts in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes to restore their soft texture and buttery aroma.

Delicious Variations and Serving Ideas for Butter Tarts

While the classic version is unbeatable, Butter Tarts can easily be customized for different tastes and occasions. Try one of these variations to make them your own.

1. Classic Butter Tarts (No Add-Ins)

If you love simplicity, skip the nuts and raisins entirely. This results in a silky-smooth filling with pure buttery caramel flavor — the original and most traditional style.

2. Maple Butter Tarts

Replace dark corn syrup with pure maple syrup for a distinctly Canadian twist. The flavor becomes richer and more aromatic, especially when paired with toasted pecans.

3. Pecan Butter Tarts

For a crunchy, nutty variation, increase the chopped pecans to ¾ cup and omit raisins. The texture is similar to mini pecan pies but lighter and less sugary.

4. Chocolate Butter Tarts

Stir in ¼ cup mini chocolate chips for a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth surprise. The combination of chocolate and buttery filling is heavenly.

5. Salted Caramel Butter Tarts

Sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt over the filling before baking. The contrast between sweet and salty flavors takes this classic dessert to gourmet status.

Serving Suggestions

Butter Tarts are incredibly versatile — perfect for parties, holidays, or afternoon tea. Here are some ideas to serve them in style:

• Warm with Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve slightly warm with a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
• With Coffee or Tea: Their buttery sweetness pairs beautifully with black coffee or herbal tea.
• On Dessert Platters: Arrange mini tarts on trays for family gatherings or potlucks.
• Holiday Treat Boxes: Butter Tarts make wonderful edible gifts wrapped in parchment and tied with ribbon.

FAQ About Butter Tarts

Conclusion: Sweet, Simple, and Unmistakably Canadian

Butter Tarts are more than just a dessert — they’re a piece of Canadian culinary history. Their golden, flaky crust and buttery, caramelized filling create a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.

Whether you enjoy them with raisins, pecans, or just plain, each bite delivers nostalgia, comfort, and a touch of indulgence. Easy to make, easy to freeze, and impossible to resist — Butter Tarts are the dessert you’ll find yourself making again and again.

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