Butter tarts are a classic Canadian dessert known for their sweet, gooey filling encased in a flaky pastry shell. Here’s how you can prepare delicious butter tarts at home:
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 2-4 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 cup raisins, chopped nuts, or both (if desired)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pastry:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Add the cold cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork after each addition. Stop adding water when the dough begins to come together.
- Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
- Make the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in the optional raisins and nuts if using.
- Roll Out and Shape the Pastry:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Use a round cookie cutter or a glass that is slightly larger than the muffin tin cavities to cut out circles of dough.
- Gently press each circle of dough into the prepared muffin tin cavities, shaping them into small tart shells.
- Fill the Tart Shells:
- Spoon the prepared filling into each tart shell, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake the Butter Tarts:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and set. If the crust edges brown too quickly, you can cover them loosely with foil halfway through baking.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the butter tarts to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy:
- Serve the butter tarts at room temperature. They can be enjoyed plain or with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top.
Tips:
- Variations: You can customize your butter tarts by adding raisins, chopped nuts, or a combination of both to the filling. Some recipes also include a sprinkle of flaked sea salt on top for a sweet-salty contrast.
- Storage: Store leftover butter tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for longer storage; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Now you’re ready to enjoy these delicious homemade butter tarts!
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