These butter tarts are a Christmas tradition around here! They are sweet, buttery, caramel-y and absolutely amazing. If you haven’t tried them, you need to!
Exciting day today on the blog! There’s a great giveaway (more on that later!), plus I have my favourite butter tarts recipe for you. Like my nanaimo bar recipe that I shared last year, this is a Canadian treat that we make every single Christmas. I don’t know if it’s a Christmas thing for everyone, or if some people make them all year long, but at my house it’s a Christmas thing. One of those treats that I really can’t skip making.
I said that my list keeps getting longer every year? Well, it’s because I find new and wonderful things to make every single Christmas, but can’t give up the traditional treats that I’ve enjoyed since I was a kid either. Must have ALL the Christmas treats evidently. Don’t worry, I’ll have some healthier recipes in January. I promise.
Until then, bring on the butter and sugar!
And these butter tarts are pretty much the epitome of buttery, sugary, Christmas-y treats. I mean, pastry filled with a mixture that is literally butter and sugar and not much else? Doesn’t get much more decadent than that! It may sound a little weird, I know I thought they were when I was a kid. Why would anyone want to eat a butter tart?! Well, the first time I actually tried one I found out why. Because they are absolutely fantastic. And once you try one, I can pretty much guarantee that you will add them to your annual Christmas baking list too, and will be unable to omit them.
They’re that awesome.
Unless you don’t like sugary things. Then you probably won’t like them. But if you’ve read this far then I’m guessing you are all for it.
I used homemade pastry this time, but I’m usually lazy with tarts and buy the shells. It’s just so much easier. The homemade stuff does taste better, but I definitely need a tutorial in shaping them! So my tart shells aren’t the prettiest, but that’s okay, they tasted fantastic.
As will yours. Homemade, store-bought. Doesn’t matter. Just fill them with this incredible buttery, sweet, caramel-y filling and you will be happy. I promise.
Also, use currants. Not raisins. It’s just better.
Oh, and the giveaway I mentioned? It’s a fancy new Blendtec Designer 725 blender! It’s worth over $750 and would be a fantastic prize to win! Just scroll down to below the recipe for the giveaway form. Unfortunately for my Canadian friends, this one is only open to U.S. residents 18 years of age and older. Winner will have 48 hours from being notified to respond with their shipping address in order to claim the prize. Otherwise a new winner will be selected. Contest is open now until December 19, 2015. {contest closed} Good luck!
These butter tarts are a Christmas tradition around here! They are sweet, buttery, caramel-y and absolutely amazing. If you haven't tried them, you need to! I use a combination of honey and corn syrup in these tarts. The original recipe called for all corn syrup, but I ran out one year so subbed honey and liked it better. I've tried it with just honey and no corn syrup and I prefer this recipe with half of each, although it can be made with only one if you prefer. Also, you can used raisins or pecans instead of the currants if you like - but currants are the best! Source: Adapted from The New Purity Cookbook. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases.Butter Tarts
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24
Serving Size:
1 tart
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 178 Total Fat: 5g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 31mg Sodium: 87mg Carbohydrates: 32g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 25g Protein: 2g
I added 1 cup chopped walnuts and 1/4 cup shredded coconut to grate and it was superb. It’s a fact that Way to heart is through stomach . I have tried so many different recipes online and yours is the closest taste to the restaurant. I have also tried your Lemon Rasperry Rolls recipe and my hubby loved it very much .and also your apple pie recipe. It was also a lipsmacking one.
I will share my new trial :http://www.nestle-family.com/kids/recipes/english/mini-fruit-tarts_16837.aspx
Thanks Veika – I’m so happy to hear that you loved the recipes! I’ve never tried coconut in butter tarts, but that sounds pretty fantastic!
Hi Stacey – like the others, I had never heard of butter tarts. But reading the ingredients, would these be similar (almost) to the American pecan pie filling? These tarts really look delicious and would be fun to make. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Cynthia – you know, I’ve only ever had pecan pie once or twice, but I think it would be fairly similar to that. It’s a sweet, gooey, almost caramel-like filling (although thinner then caramel). I don’t know if that helps or not! We really love them, and they are very easy to make. I hope you like them – let me know if you try them out!
I have always wanted to try butter tarts. I think I might make these for Christmas! I’m so intrigued by them!
If you’ve never had them, you definitely need to try them Dorothy! They are my favourite Christmas treat (well, one of – I have a lot of favourites to be honest!), and the filling is so fast and easy to make too! Let me know if you try them! 🙂
I would make some smoothies!
Smoothies!
I would try my hand at making some home made peanut butter
There is nothing like a good butter tart. Can’t wait to try your recipe. Sad to see that the BlendTec contest is only open to US citizens. Ah well. The butter tarts will take away the sting. Merry Christmas Stacey.
I know, it’s unfortunate, but it was the US company that provided the giveaway, so that’s how this one had to go. I agree, there is nothing like a good butter tart! Merry Christmas!
I would make almond butter
I would make healthy smoothies for my kids!
I’d love to try a mixed nut butter!
Bring on the butter for sure! Or I’ll just settle with a big plateful of these butter tarts. Seriously, they are stunning, Stacey! Loving that currant filling!
I’ve never had a butter tart, but I have to say these look pretty incredible! Traditional family recipes like this one are the best!
Ok, anything with butter in the title has to be good!! And who DOESN’T like sugary things? That’s just wrong!! 😉 These look amazing!!
I have never had a butter tart before, but it sounds delicious!
I’ve never had a butter tart before, but they sound delicious! Butter and sugar definitely go well together! 🙂 This sounds like such a fun Christmas treat to make every year. And I can only imagine how good your house smelled when these were baking!
With all these sweets, I’d have to say a healthy green smoothie is in order!
Normally I shy away from too much butter, but not when it comes to pastry! haha These tarts look amazing, Stacey — these would get me into some serious trouble! 🙂
That’s why they only get made once a year! 🙂 Thanks Marcie!
The perfect Canadian tradition!! With all these sweets, I really need to make a healthy recipe in that blender (smoothies!)
Haha, yeah, always a ridiculous amount of sweets at this time of year! 🙂
Oh my goodness, these butter tarts look beyond delicious! They’re so gooey….I want!
Butter and sugar epitomize my ideal Christmas treat! So yum 🙂
There can never bee enough butter and sugar around the holidays! It’s the one time of year those calories don’t count! I wouldn’t mind indulging in these butter tarts. I’ve never had one, but it sounds so tasty. And they looks wonderful.
Right?! That’s what I tell myself every year. At least in January I’m usually sugared out for a while so that makes up for it! If you’ve never had butter tarts, you need to try them – they’re amazing! 🙂
I would make some marshmallow creme!!
I would want to make almond butter!
That is something I have always wanted to make and never have! Need to try it!
These look delicious! I’ve never heard of a butter tart before but it sounds fantastic to me! Your tarts look lovely, by the way, homemade crust for the win 😉
Thanks Stephanie! They’re a Canadian treat, and are fantastic – you should definitely try them if you never have! 🙂