Easy Butter Tarts Recipe

I have seen a lot of fairly elaborate recipes for making these super rich ooey gooey butter tarts but I use this one partly because of its simplicity (and mostly for its amazing flavor). If you’ve never had this Canadian classic before, the best way I can describe it is that it’s similar to a pecan pie, minus the pecans.

Some people make these as full pies instead of tarts, but I find this an especially messy and sticky way of serving them. Individual tarts are simply more practical and I personally prefer the pastry to filling ratio of them.

Butter Tarts Recipe

I have made this butter tarts recipe many many times and it has worked out beautifully every time. It’s now a family favorite. Add walnuts or pecans to it for a yummy variation.

Ingredients:

Pastry (I prefer to use Martha Stewart’s pate brisee recipe which can be found here.  You need enough dough to make a dozen tarts.) You can also purchase tart shells for a quicker recipe.

The filling:

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup raisins (optional but I think that a butter tart without raisins ain’t a butter tart, or can be replaced with chopped pecans or walnuts BUT traditional butter tarts always have raisins in them)

Instructions:

Prepare your pie dough according to Martha’s instructions. (Thank you Martha!)  For quicker results, use frozen tart shells.

Use a round cookie cutter (or find something around the house to use as a substitute like a drinking glass or tin can).  Press these circles of dough into muffin pans. 

Now for preparing the filling: combine together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and egg.  Blend well. 

Add the vanilla and stir in the raisins.  Spoon the filling into the tart shells and fill to just below the rim.
Bake at 400 degrees F for about 10 mins until golden brown.

Print

Butter Tarts Recipe

I have seen a lot of fairly elaborate recipes for making these super rich ooey gooey butter tarts but I use this one partly because of its simplicity (and mostly for its amazing flavor). If you've. never had this Canadian classic before, the best way I can describe it is that it's similar to a pecan pie, minus the pecans.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Canadian

Keyword meat pie, pastry, tarts

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 12

Calories 238 kcal

Ingredients

• 12 tart shells
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup raisins optional but I think that a butter tart without raisins ain’t a butter tart, or can be replaced with chopped pecans or walnuts BUT traditional butter tarts always have raisins in them

Instructions

1. Prepare your pie dough if needed according to Martha’s instructions. (Thank you Martha!)
2. Use a round cookie cutter (or find something around the house to use as a substitute like a drinking glass or tin can).  Press these circles of dough into muffin pans.
3. Now for preparing the filling: combine together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and egg.  Blend well.
4. Add the vanilla and stir in the raisins.
5. Spoon the filling into the tart shells and fill to just below the rim.
6. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 10 mins until golden brown.

Recipe Notes

I have made this butter tarts recipe many many times and it has worked out beautifully every time. It’s now a family favorite. Add walnuts or pecans to it for a yummy variation.

Nutrition Facts

Butter Tarts Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 238 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 0.04g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.4g

Cholesterol 22mg7%

Sodium 95mg4%

Potassium 118mg3%

Carbohydrates 40g13%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 21g23%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 49IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 15mg2%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.