The Best Butter Tart, eh!
73A great treat and dessert.
For B.T. Evilpants!
Let's Celebrate Canada Day July 1 With A Uniquely Canadian Treat!
Only available in Canada--Pity--you say!
Not a myth, all the Canadian border towns are being flooded yearly (not just in the summer season either) by our favorite neighbors from the south. (US citizens) They are searching for these scrumptious uniquely Canadian small-to-die-for-melt-in-your-mouth-one-is-never-enough-finger-lickin-tarts.
Many variations exist none better then the following recipe perfected by yours truly many years ago. It has become a tradition at our house to have a large batch of them around for our Canada Day celebration.
* * * * * * * * * * * YUM * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *Ingredients* * * * * * * *
Crust:
- 2cups/500ml all-purpose flour (add a little extra flour if dough feels too sticky)
- 11/2cups/375g unsalted butter
- 1/2tbsp/10ml ice water(make sure water is ICY cold just so dough will be easier to handle, especially in warm humid weather)
- 1tsp/5ml white vinegar
- 1/2tsp/2ml salt
Filling:
- 3cups/750ml golden corn syrup
- 8tbsps/120ml light brown sugar
- 2tbsps/30ml real maple syrup or 1tsp maple extract
- 1cup/250g sultana raisins
- 11/4cups/300g walnut chunks
- 1/2cup/125g unsalted butter
* * * * * * * *Methogology* * * * * * * *
Pam spray two 24-hole mini muffin tins.
Spread nuts on a cookie sheet and bake for 2-3 minutes or until just golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
Soak raisins in hot water and set aside.
Sift flour into large bowl. Add salt and using pastry cutter combine with butter until 'riced'. Add vinegar and ice water.
Turn onto lightly floured table and work until together (don't over work dough, it should be flaky) divide dough into 4 balls.(keep them covered so they don't dry out and in the fridge)
Roll out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4"/5mm thickness(the thinner the daintier the tarts)
Using a fluted 2"/5cm cutter cut out rounds. Gently lift them with a spatula or knife and line each muffin hole. (the dough is easier to handle if its really cold)
Preheat oven to 350F/180C/gas4.
Drain raisins.
Divide the nuts amongst the tarts evenly & set aside.
Combine all the filling ingredients, mix together at low speed for two minutes, add drained raisins and gently pour over nuts.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden.
Cool in the tins for 10 minutes then gently lift them onto a wire rack till totally cooled.
Enjoy
(Once a year on July 1. which is Canada day these butter tart are absolutely calorie free)
* * * * * * * * * Variations * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * Delicious * * * * * * * *
Can also be made as pies in shallow pie dishes. Especially the pecan and cranberry combinations is awesome with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Try them with other combinations, instead of raisins and walnuts use:
- shredded unsweetened coconut, really well drained crushed pineapple (mix a tablespoon of flour into pineapple)
- shredded unsweetened coconut, dried blueberries
- shredded unsweetened coconut, dried elderberries
- crushed filberts (hazelnuts), dried red currents
- crushed pecans, dried cranberries coarsely chopped in food processor
- crushed almonds, dried cherries coarsely chopped in food processor
- crushed peanuts, dried apricots coarsely chopped in food processor
Soak and drain all the dried fruit same as raisins.
Fun and games planned for Canada Day July 1
One of my friends lives in MountForest and sent me this info...check it out
http://www.wellington-north.com/
2008 BUTTER TART TRAIL LAUNCH JULY 1ST HOLIDAY WEEKEND [pdf file | 176kb]
2008 BUTTER TART TRAIL LAUNCH JULY 1ST HOLIDAY WEEKEND
2008 BUTTER TART TRAIL BROCHURE & MAP [pdf file | 1.06mb]
2008 BUTTER TART TRAIL BROCHURE & MAP
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Comments
John! Why not, I'll be making my usual batch this weekend for Tuesday.
Thanks for coming by, regards Zsuzsy
ZsuZsy, I think someone recently did a hub about butter tarts... but can't remember who. But, I still haven't made any...
I missed that one! I'll check it out. Thanks. Mine are better (you know why? because they will be here for us to have here...You want to try some? This coming weekend there'll be a major production going on at my house. Getting them ready for Tuesday. Thanks for coming by and commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
Calorie free for Canada day, cool.
Bob! Absolutely, totally, not-a-one. My girlfriend who is also a diabetic is going to try to make the tarts with her diabetic maple syrup. I'll let you know if they turn out.
regards Zsuzsy
Maybe we can trade some American apple pie for truckload of butter tarts. Deal?
William! How nice that you came for a visit. I'd like a truckload of apple pie. So let's shake on it and call it a deal.
have a great evening regards Zsuzsy
Must...resist...butter tarts! Oh, Zsuzsy! How ever will you sleep at night, knowing that you have given this evil jackalope such a powerful weapon!? I shall be unstoppable!
B.T. I just couldn't resist since the 'Butter Tart Holiday' is coming up. I thought you might want to celebrate in style too. regards Zsuzsy
I have never had butter tarts before in my life. I may have to come for a visit also. I will bring my shotgun incase that evil jackalope shows his face.
Ahh hate that jackalope!!!
Zsuzsy, Happy Canada Day in advance. How very nice of you to do this for dear B.T. Evilpants! It may interfere with his rehabilitation, but at least it will keep him from harm trying to cross the border and breaking into people's homes and pantries.
Nice hub, and yummy too.
You may have unwittingly put yourself in jeopardy, Zsuzsy. BT can't cook, and I think you live closer to the border than Shirley! Be on your guard!!
SirDent! I only make homemade Butter Tarts once a year usually the weekend before Canada day. It's become a bit of a tradition that we have a big BBQ party then. This is a good time to try them.
Thanks for taking a look regards Zsuzsy
Shirley! Happy Canada day to you too.
B.T. will just have to come to terms with his afflictions. This will make him a stronger, better jackalope.
Talk to you soon. regards Zsuzsy
rmr! I'm not afraid of a little jackalope...(just in case I'll bake an extra big batch)zs
I'm forwarding this to my wife. If she does not make them, you will have to publish a follow up hub on how to make women do stuff they don't want to do. (Preferably not including anything that requires effort or money on my part)
Shadesbreath! Here is what you do:
You just tell her she can have the new kitchen appliances under one condition that, she bakes you these goodies. It will take no effort on your part, she will call and order them, set up deliveries etc. without bothering you. As for the money...well just put it on the credit card and you won't see the money at all...
If you need more helpful how-to's from me just let me know...I'm only too happy to help a fellow hubber out...let me know how you like the butter tarts regards Zsuzsy
Ooh!! These look yummy! We need some pics of you eating them, so we can all be jealous. ;)
Hi Isabella! The funny thing is that all year round my gang will maybe buy the ready made ones once every month or so...but heaven forbid I decide not to make any for Canada day...I would never hear the end of it. Lucky I enjoy our little traditions.
So glad when you come a visit. Greetings from gorgeous Canada Zsuzsy
Making us see you eat them would be wrong. PEOPLE HUB HUNGRY SOMETIMES YOU KNOW! And what of poor Evilpants, teetering precariously over the edge of the wagon?
Shadesbreath! You're trying to change the subject here...What about those new appliances? Have you seen my ebay capsule? I'm sure any of those would please your wife.
PEOPLE HUB HUNGRY SOMETIMES YOU KNOW! I'm restringing my violin as we speak. As for B.T. his fate is written in the stars, I'm afraid...teetering wagon and all. zs
Ok, I ordered one of each off your list up there. These damn butter tarts better be as good as they sound now that I'm the hole for 14 grand.
I have heard so much about this Butter Tart recipe of yours that truely sounds Delicious! unfortuently this recipe will have to be put on hold until i can persuade a willing cook to cook 4me!
ps, nice to see you! (profile pic:)
Shadesbreath! these tarts are worth every dime of that 14 grand.zs
Compu-smart! How hard can it be for you to find a willing cook...a smart guy like you? Thanks for coming by. regards Zsuzsy
I'm just learning the digital camera bit. I was told to get with the times and supposedly the 35mm minolta just doesn't cut it anymore.zs
yum my whole family, 3 hungry grown big ol' strappin young men, will adore these. Happy Canada Day to our neighbors!!
Oh Canada-- oh butter tarts--OH zsusy I love your recipes almost as much as I love the personal stories that go with them. Happy Canada Day:-)
Marisue! Thanks for commenting. I'm sure your gang will love the butter tarts.
Happy fourth of July to you and your family on Friday.
regards Zsuzsy
Robie! Glad you came by. Thank for you kind comment too.
Hope you have a great Independence day on Friday.
regards Zsuzsy
Zounds! That is a lot of butter and corn syprup. I will drink black coffee before I eat one. No wonder BT Evilpants is teetering on the wagon - withdrawal is killing him.
:)
These sound yummy! One stupid questions though--are the Sultan Raisins a brand name of raisins or are they a special kind of raisin?
Patty! You'll make about 48 tarts out of the recipe. The dough is similar to pie dough...very flakey. thanks for stopping by. regards Zsuzsy
Lady Guinevere! Sultana raisins are a kind of raisin. They're a medium sized light brown raisin. You should be able to use most kinds of raisins I would think.
thanks for taking a look regards Zsuzsy
Testing a fraction of a batch, I find the pie crust most flakey and delicious - I love the raisins and walnuts and like it all better than pecan pie. Thank you for the Canadian recipe! I shall trie a larger batch this week. :)
Thank you Patty for trying out the recipe. I'm glad you liked it. I mainly use walnuts but a friend brought me a big sac full of pecans from South Carolina. Those things were huge...I crumbled some up for the filling but one half of a nut was all I could fit onto the top of the tart. You should try the cranberry version around thanksgiving...it fits really well with the Turkey dinners.
Just in case I don't get a chance later in the week....Happy Independence day to you on Friday, my friend with kindest regards Zsuzsy
Those butter tarts sure do look delicious, Zsuzsy. I had no idea that they were calorie free only on Canada Day either. I wonder how the cranberry version tastes...? Thanks for sharing your recipes!
Your fan.
Mon.
Monitor! You see how useful all this info can be here on hubpages... calorie-free butter-tarts on July first. The cranberry with almonds are my favorite. They're sinfully good.
Thanks for visiting regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy, I went to a variety store yesterday and they had little 2 packs of butter tarts. Don't tell B.T., but I couldn't help myself, I bought them and ate them both post haste. They tasted as good as they looked - chemically treated and preserved in hard shells. I didn't break a tooth, but it certainly cured my hankering for them.
Wish I still baked - I could have some good ones made from your recipes.
Shirley! I cheat too at times and buy them already made. I make a giant batch up for Canada day...then if I can get good cranberries I'll make up another batch at thanksgiving. Mind you B.T. has changed my opinion of them too. Every-time I go past them at the grocery store I have to chuckle (once people notice they'll probably think I'm weird) weeeeeeell maybe weirder then usual...
have a great day Zsuzsy
This looks like a great recipe. Did not realize B.T. Evilpants was so famous :).
SweetiePie! Glad you came by. Thanks for commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
YUM! Mr. Evilpants gave me your link, and I'm so glad he did! Thanks for the recipe Zsuzsy! This is bookmarked for sure. :)
Pam! You're more then welcome. Hope you enjoy them as much as the evil panted one.
regards Zsuzsy
what a great looking decadent dessert Zsuzsy Bee. Thanks for writing this hub. -Journey*
Journey* You're quite welcome. Hope you get a chance to try them sometime. Thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
Found your recipe here compliments of Google- tried it tonight! I'm a Canadian stuck in the middle of Kansas.
Thanks for posting this to share with the butter tart deprived. :) One question, if you ever check this thread:
the crust was SO light/flaky- is it from too much butter?
I'm new at baking. Thanks...
Sarah, so glad you found the recipe as no Canadian should be butter tart deprived.
As far as the crust goes--was it hard to work with? If you made this crust recipe when it was really warm and humid most likely your water wasn't cold enough...next time throw a couple of ice cubes into your water that should help make the dough easier to handle.
My family usually eats out the filling and maybe just half of the hard crust of the boughten buttertarts. Soooo I make my crust flaky instead.
Well happy belated Canada day
regards Zsuzsy
The dough handled okay, it was a little warm though. But when I baked the tarts, the cups turned into little puddles! Then I began to think I had rolled it too thin. So I tried a few more with thicker crusts and worked in more flour, and that did the trick. I know what you mean about store-bought, just NOT comparable! Thanks for the tips Zsuzsy! Happy Canada back at ya ;)
I have been making this same recipe for years and have had to add extra flour into the dough once or twice. Always depending on the flour too...gluten content and temperature play a big part in the consistency of many doughs.
I will add this into the above recipe.
Talk to you again soon
zs
I'm thinking your recipe plus mine - yum~
akirchner, these butter tarts are pretty good even if I say so myself. So yum is definitely right.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
Hello...Just trying this out now. I have found that the crust, when complete, is much to flaky. It's falling apart. Not coming out of cups nicely. Granted, I did make them in the bigger muffin tins.
Thanks!
Natasha I'm sad to hear that, I have never had a problem with my pastry, but you can try to add a bit of sour cream into the pastry if you need to that will probably hold things together or add a bit more flour. I just made a batch over our Thanksgiving in October and every thing went hunky dory...
regards Zsuzsy
Thanks Zsuzsy! Will try out the suggestions and let you know the outcome.
John Chancellor says:
17 months ago
I live way too far South to make it to a border town. Is it possible to mail them?