Mini desserts like these small pies are so fun to eat and are great for bringing to potlucks and other gatherings. If you love sweet treats like this, you should try these mini cheesecakes, these perfect mini pumpkin pies, or these mini cherry pies!
What are Butter Tarts?
Butter tarts are a popular Canadian dessert, that are sweet, sticky and incredibly delicious! These melt-in-your-mouth mini pies are baked in a muffin pan, have a gooey filling made with butter, sugar, syrup, egg, vanilla and sometimes raisins or nuts in a flaky pastry shell. They are a bit similar to the American pecan pie, but the filling is not quite as solid. Even though they make a great treat anytime, I especially love to enjoy them during the holidays. If you’ve never heard of or enjoyed butter tarts, you’re in for a real treat. You will love how the sweet, gooey filling is complemented by the flaky crust. Plus, these are easier to make than most pie recipes and only take about 25 minutes to prepare and then it’s off to the oven! Bring these to your next potluck or holiday gathering and wait for the rave reviews to come pouring in!
Ingredients in Butter Tarts
One of my favorite things about this recipe is the simple list of ingredients! You probably already have everything in your kitchen. Some of the simplest desserts become the best! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
Crust
Flour: Regular all-purpose flour will work great to make the crust. Salt: A small amount of salt will enhance the overall flavor. Shortening: For fat content to make the crust perfectly tender and flaky. Ice Water: Will help to moisten the dough. We want this to be super cold for a nice and flaky pie crust.
Filling
Butter: These are called butter tarts for a reason! You’ll need 1/4 cup of unsalted butter. Dark Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar has more molasses than regular brown sugar. You will definitely want to use it! Your butter tarts will not be as richly flavored if you use light brown sugar. Light Corn Syrup: For a sticky, sweet filling that’s so tasty! Egg: The egg will give the filling a delicious rich taste. Vanilla Extract: For an extra boost of flavor. Try making your own blend at home using my recipe here!
How to Make This Tart Recipe
Make your crust and filling mixture, add both to a muffin pan, and then it’s off to the oven! Waiting for your butter tarts to bake is the hardest part here. Here’s the simple process:
Crust
Filling
Premade Dough: You may use premade pie dough for this! This is a time saver and will make making these tarts even easier. Making Thicker Tarts: If you make this recipe with 9 tarts instead of 12, there will be a thicker amount of filling in them. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Add-ins: Add in some bonus ingredients! Chopped pecans or golden raisins are excellent in these tarts. Place a scant tablespoon of nuts, raisins, or a combination in the bottom of your tart shells before pouring in the filling. Filling Consistency: If you prefer your butter tarts on the runnier side, bake them for 12-13 minutes, so the filling isn’t completely set and appears a bit liquid still.
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