A true Canadian butter tart is a sweet and decadent pastry that has been a beloved dessert in Canada for generations. With its flaky pastry shell and gooey filling made with butter, brown sugar, and eggs, this dessert is a quintessential Canadian treat that has stood the test of time. Whether enjoyed at a family gathering, a local bakery, or a special occasion, the butter tart has become an iconic symbol of Canadian cuisine and culture. This recipe for Canadian butter tarts comes from my mother who always made butter tarts for every family gathering since I can remember.
It is unbelievably simple to make and the taste is simply delightful. There is no need to make the pastry as you can buy the pre-made Tenderflake tart pastry shells for easy baking. All you need to do is make the filling and bake! If you wish to make your own homemade pastry I love using this recipe from the French Cooking Academy: How to make shortcrust pastry in a food processor. It is easy, straight-forward and tastes delicious.
What Makes the Canadian Butter tart, Canadian?
What makes a Canadian butter tart Canadian is definitely Maple Syrup! The unique combination of ingredients, regional variations, and cultural significance. While similar pastries may exist in other parts of the world, the Canadian butter tart has become an iconic symbol of Canadian cuisine and culture.
Some of the key factors that contribute to the Canadian identity of the butter tart include:
The use of Canadian ingredients: Many recipes for Canadian butter tarts include locally sourced ingredients like Maple Syrup, which is a quintessentially Canadian product.
Regional variations: Different regions of Canada have their own unique take on the butter tart, with variations in the filling ingredients, the size and shape of the tarts, and the crust recipe.
Cultural significance: The butter tart has become a beloved dessert in Canada, with a rich history and cultural significance that has made it a staple of Canadian cuisine. It is often served at special occasions like weddings and holidays and is celebrated at annual festivals across the country.
Overall, it is the combination of these factors that make the Canadian butter tart a truly Canadian dessert, and a symbol of the country’s rich culinary heritage.
where does maple syrup come from?
Maple syrup is a sweet, sticky liquid that is derived from the sap of maple trees. Specifically, it is made from the sap of sugar maple, black maple, or red maple trees, which are all native to North America.
To produce maple syrup, a hole is drilled into the trunk of the tree in late winter or early spring, and a spout is inserted to collect the sap that flows out. The sap is then collected in buckets or tubing systems, and boiled down to evaporate the water and concentrate the sugars, resulting in the thick, amber-colored syrup that we know and love.
Maple syrup is primarily produced in Canada and the northeastern United States, particularly in the province of Quebec, which produces the majority of the world’s supply. Other Canadian provinces, as well as some northern states like Vermont and Maine, also have significant maple syrup industries.
Have you ever visited Quebec before? If not, you should consider adding Quebec on your bucket list. I have a wonderful itinerary for Quebec city to Tadoussac. Here is the link to my article on the Ultimate Quebec Getaway: Where Luxury and Adventure Meet. I include the full itinerary, and mention restaurants, activities and more.
Ingredients for the Canadian Butter tart Recipe
Ingredients:
Makes approximately 22-24 tarts
- 2 packages of small Tenderflake tart shells
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Canadian Maple Syrup
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- Optional: golden raisins, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips
Directions:
Directions:
- Place the Tenderflake tart shells out of the freezer and place them on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, vinegar, until smooth. Stir in any optional ingredients, if desired. I love to use golden raisins.
- Spoon the filling mixture into each pastry shell, filling each one about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the filling is set.
- Allow the tarts to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve the butter tarts at room temperature, and enjoy!
- The tarts also freeze well. Store them into a Ziploc bag for space saving. They also taste great when eating them frozen!
Time to indulge in the butter tarts
Making Canadian butter tarts is a delicious and enjoyable way to celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Canada. Whether you prefer them with raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips, these sweet and gooey tarts are a beloved dessert that can be enjoyed any time of year. With a flaky pastry shell and a rich, buttery filling, each bite of a butter tart is a taste of Canadian history and culture. So why not try making your own batch of butter tarts at home, and savor the sweet flavors and traditions of Canada?
Let's Make Them Together!
The Best Easy Canadian Butter Tart Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 packages of small Tenderflake tart shells
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Canadian Maple Syrup
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- Optional: golden raisins chopped nuts, or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the Tenderflake tart shells out of the freezer and place them on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, vinegar, until smooth. Stir in any optional ingredients, if desired. I love to use golden raisins.
- Spoon the filling mixture into each pastry shell, filling each one about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the filling is set.
- Allow the tarts to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve the butter tarts at room temperature, and enjoy!
- The tarts also freeze well. Store them in a Ziploc bag for space saving. They also taste great when eating them frozen!
More recipe inspiration
indulge and enjoy!
I hope that you enjoy this recipe for Homemade Buttertarts. I would love to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment or any feedback. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope that you enjoy this recipe from my family to yours! Happy Baking.
Wow!! Does this ever look so good. Thank you for sharing. I tried the recipe and my family loved it!! Perfect for the holiday season.
Awesome it looks so good
What are delicious and so easy to make. Jodi did an incredible job with her video as well. Keep it going girl.Are delicious and so easy to make. JODY did an incredible job with her video as well. Keep it going girl.