Classic Canadian Butter Tarts

These are the butter tarts many of us grew up with — flaky pastry, rich caramel-like filling, and raisins and nuts stirred right into the batter so every bite gets a little bit of everything. No sprinkling, no choosing sides — just classic, cozy, evenly distributed goodness in every tart.

DID YOU KNOW?

Traditional butter tarts were often mixed all in one bowl, with raisins and nuts folded directly into the filling before baking. This method ensured even texture and flavor, especially when baking for family gatherings where every tart needed to be just as good as the last.

YIELD

12 butter tarts

INGREDIENTS

Pastry Shells
12 unbaked tart shells (homemade or high-quality store-bought)

Butter Tart Filling
½ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup pure maple syrup (or corn syrup for extra gooey centers)
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place tart shells on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, egg, vanilla, and salt until smooth and glossy.
Stir in the raisins and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the filling.
Spoon the filling mixture into each tart shell, filling no more than ⅔ full.
Bake for 15–18 minutes, until pastry is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
Remove from oven and allow tarts to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

KITCHEN TIPS

• For gooey centers, remove tarts while the middle still has a gentle wobble.
• For firmer centers, bake an additional 2–3 minutes.
• Maple syrup gives a deeper, more traditional flavor; corn syrup creates a silkier texture.
• Chop nuts finely for even distribution and cleaner slices.
• Butter tarts freeze well — thaw at room temperature.

SERVING IDEAS

• Serve slightly warm with coffee or tea
• Add a dollop of softly whipped cream
• Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (approx. per tart)

Calories 270, Protein 3g, Fat 15g, Carbs 30g, Fiber 1g, Sugars 18g, Sodium 120mg