Description
Sweet Canadian nostalgia melts into these classic butter tarts, where buttery pastry cradles a gooey filling of caramelized sugar and rich cream. Rich maple undertones and flaky crust invite you to savor a cherished Canadian culinary tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
Pastry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
Optional/Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins or chopped pecans
Instructions
- Create a loose, sandy texture by blending flour and salt, then incorporate cold butter through gentle cutting motions until the mixture resembles grainy breadcrumbs.
- Combine ice water and vinegar, then slowly integrate the liquid into the flour mixture, gently stirring until the dough just begins to form a cohesive mass, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, compressing each into a flat disc shape, then encase completely in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow gluten to relax and butter to firm.
- After chilling, remove dough from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier rolling.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each disc into a thin, even circular sheet approximately 1/8 inch thick, rotating the dough periodically to ensure uniform thickness.
- Carefully transfer the rolled dough into tart pans, gently pressing the pastry into corners and edges, trimming excess dough from the rim with a sharp knife.
- Crimp the edges of the pastry using your fingers or a fork to create a decorative border and prevent shrinkage during baking.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter for better control of salt content and to prevent the tart from becoming too salty.
- Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn’t shrink during baking.
- Work quickly and keep ingredients cold to maintain the pastry’s delicate texture and prevent gluten development.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for binding.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 96 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg