Butter Tarts

4.7
(282)

These butter tarts have a rich, caramel-like filling and crunchy walnuts. This is a delicious old family recipe.

mid angle looking at a few butter tarts cooling on a cooling rack
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
2 dozen

These Canadian butter tarts are rich, buttery, and oh-so-easy to make at home. 

What Is a Butter Tart? 

A butter tart (a.k.a. tarte au beurre) is a Canadian pastry that features a buttery, egg-based filling. It often has mix-ins, such as nuts and/or raisins. 

Butter Tart Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this butter tart recipe: 

  • Tart shells: You’ll need 30 (2-inch) unbaked tart shells.
  • Brown sugar: The sweet filling starts with brown sugar. 
  • Butter: A stick of butter lends richness and flavor. 
  • Eggs: Eggs add moisture and help bind the filling together. 
  • Mix-ins: Raisins and chopped walnuts add texture and flavor. 
  • Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds even more richness. 

Cook’s Note

  • Liquid coffee creamer can be used for cream. 
  • Use any good pie pastry for the shells or buy the frozen variety.

How to Make Butter Tarts

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade butter tarts: 

  1. Arrange the tart shells on a baking sheet. 
  2. Beat the sugar, butter, and eggs together. Stir in the remaining ingredients. 
  3. Pour the filling into the tart shells.
  4. Bake the tarts in the preheated oven until the pastry is golden and the filling is set.

How to Store Butter Tarts

Store the butter tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for two days or in the refrigerator for five days. 

Can You Freeze Butter Tarts? 

Yes! You can freeze the butter tarts for up to three months. Reheat in the oven.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“Best tasting tarts,” raves Maggie Gray. “Love the crispy top — they didn’t bubble over. Put pecans and golden raisins in and that made them extra yummy!”

“I used Butter Pecan coffee creamer instead of cream,” says Mason Miles Dixon. “I also pre-baked my tart shells for 5 minutes before adding the filling. These tarts are hands down my favorite.”

“I use Eagle Brand condensed milk instead of cream and I add a little vanilla and almond extracts,” according to Big Mac. “Awesome!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 30 (2-inch) unbaked tart shells

  • 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar

  • ½ cup butter

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 cups raisins

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (170 degrees C). Arrange tart shells on a baking sheet.

    empty tart shells arranged on a baking sheet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Beat sugar, butter, and eggs together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy.

    sugar, butter and eggs together in a large bowl beaten until creamy

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Stir in raisins, walnuts, and cream until thoroughly combined. Spoon batter into tart shells, no more than half full.

    Raisins, walnuts, and cream being mixed into creamed butter and sugar

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

    butter tarts filled on a baking sheet

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Bake tarts in the preheated oven until pastry is golden and filling is set, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow tarts to cool on a wire rack.

    perfectly golden-brown butter tarts cooling on a wire rack

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

576 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

641 Calories
32g Fat
86g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 641
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32g 40%
Saturated Fat 10g 48%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 256mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 86g 31%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Total Sugars 50g
Protein 8g 16%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 53mg 4%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 321mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.