Description
Sweet Canadian tradition shines through these butter tarts, blending rich buttery pastry with a caramel-like filling that dances between crisp and gooey. Maple-kissed and irresistibly delicious, you’ll savor each bite of this beloved national dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup corn syrup (or maple syrup)
Pastry Components:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins or chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Craft a tender, flaky pastry by combining flour and salt, then methodically incorporate cold butter until the texture mimics coarse, crumbly terrain. Gradually introduce ice water, gently binding the mixture into a cohesive dough.
- Shape the dough into a compact disk, envelop in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for half an hour to allow the gluten to relax and butter to solidify.
- On a generously floured surface, roll the chilled dough to an even thickness. Use a circular cutter to create precise pastry shells that perfectly nestle into muffin tin cavities.
- Delicately press the pastry circles into each cup, ensuring smooth, even coverage. Return the prepared tin to the refrigerator while constructing the filling.
- Create a luxurious filling by whisking melted butter with brown sugar, creating a rich, caramel-like base. Introduce corn syrup or maple syrup for depth of sweetness.
- Integrate eggs, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into the mixture, stirring until completely homogeneous. Fold in raisins or pecans for added texture and complexity.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), establishing the ideal environment for transforming raw ingredients into golden, bubbling tarts.
- Fill each pastry shell approximately two-thirds full, allowing room for the filling to expand and caramelize during baking.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and slightly wobbling centers – the hallmark of perfectly executed butter tarts.
- Allow the tarts to rest in the pan momentarily, then carefully transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm to showcase their gooey, decadent interior, or enjoy at room temperature for a classic Canadian treat.
Notes
- Achieve flaky pastry by keeping ingredients ice-cold and handling dough minimally to prevent gluten development.
- Prevent soggy bottoms by preheating the muffin tin and using a light dusting of flour before placing pastry shells.
- Customize filling texture by adjusting corn syrup amount: more for gooier center, less for firmer consistency.
- Accommodate dietary needs with gluten-free flour blend or substitute maple syrup for corn syrup in filling for natural sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 289
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg