Butter Tarts

Butter tarts are a classic Canadian treat and a personal favorite!

Flaky tart shells are filled with a gooey butterscotch flavored filling and baked until golden! These little tarts are ready in less than 30 minutes.

Butter Tarts in a pile and a bite taken out of one

What is a Butter Tart?

Canadian butter tarts are simple, rustic, and unforgettable! These little pastries are made by baking a buttery brown sugar filling in a light and flaky tart shell. The filling is somewhat similar to pecan pie filling but often with raisins or currants (you can make it with pecans too).

This easy butter tart recipe makes melt-in-your-mouth tartlets in less than 30 minutes from start to finish!
Use homemade or prepared pie dough or purchased tart shells if you’d like.

raisins , pie crust , egg , brown sugar , vanilla , butter and vinegar to make Butter Tarts with labels

Ingredients for Butter Tarts

TART SHELLS: Use pre-made pastry shells or cut pie crust pastry and place it in muffin tins. No need to pre-bake – easy peasy!

BUTTER: To create the richest, sweetest flavor, use real butter (it’s in the name, after all). If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.

SUGAR: Dark brown sugar has more flavor, but light brown sugar can be used in place. You can replace half of the brown sugar with corn syrup or maple syrup if desired; however, the filling will be slightly thicker with brown sugar.

ADD-INS: We use raisins, although currants are another traditional ingredient for butter tarts. You can replace the raisins/currants with pecans, walnuts, coconut, or mini chocolate chips.

EXTRAS: Be careful not to over-stuff butter tarts with too many extras since the thick, sweet filling is where all the flavor is.

adding brown sugar to egg mixture to make Butter Tarts

mixing brown sugar mixture to make Butter Tarts

How to Make Butter Tarts

Line a muffin tin with pie pastry and add raisins or pecans if using.
Mix the filling ingredients in a bowl (as per the recipe below).
Pour filling into the tart shells and bake until set and the crusts are golden brown.

Storing Butter Tarts

Butter tarts can be stored at room temperature in a covered container for up to 3 days. Wrap butter tarts in plastic wrap in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

More Mini Desserts

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Flaky mini pie shells are stuffed with a gooey rich filling and baked until perfectly golden!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place the tart shells on a rimmed baking sheet or use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut the pie crust into 12 circles. Gently place each into a muffin pan.
In a medium bowl, beat the egg. Whisk in brown sugar, vinegar, and vanilla.
Add the melted butter and stir well to combine.
Divide the raisins over the tart shells and pour the filling mixture overtop.
Bake for 19-22 minutes or until set.
Cool to room temperature before serving.

Replace raisins with chopped pecans if desired.
Butter tarts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. Wrap butter tarts in plastic wrap in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert, Pie

Cuisine Canadian

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