HOW TO PREPARE BUTTER TARTS.

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:

1. 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.

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Fill the Tart Shells:

• Spoon the prepared filling into each tart shell, filling each about 3/4 full.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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!