Butter tarts are a classic Canadian dessert that are simple to make and irresistibly delicious. Here’s how to bake butter tarts along with some tips and tricks to get them just right.
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Dish name: Classic Canadian Butter Tarts
Cuisine: Canadian
Preparation time: 30 minutes (includes dough resting)
Baking time: 20 minutes
Yield: 12 tarts
Ingredients:
1 recipe pastry dough (enough for 12 tarts)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup maple syrup or corn syrup
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins or chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare your pastry dough and roll it out. Cut rounds to fit into a 12-cup muffin tin and gently press them in.
If using raisins or pecans, place a small amount at the bottom of each tart shell.
In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
Fill each tart shell with the mixture, being careful not to overfill as the filling will bubble and expand in the oven.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden and the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
Allow the tarts to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and Tricks:
Pastry Dough: For the flakiest crust, use cold butter and ice water when making your dough. Also, handle the dough as little as possible to prevent overworking.
Chill the Dough: After rolling out your pastry, let it chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes; this will help prevent the crust from shrinking while baking.
Filling Consistency: To prevent the filling from over-spilling, fill the tart shells no more than two-thirds full.
Baking Evenness: Rotate the muffin tin halfway through baking to ensure even cooking and coloring.
Customize Your Filling: Feel free to add raisins, pecans, walnuts, or even chocolate chips to the filling to suit your taste.
Avoid Soggy Bottoms: Pre-baking (or blind baking) the tart shells for a few minutes can help ensure a crispy base, especially if you like extra saucy fillings.
Runny Filling: If your filling is too runny, add a little more brown sugar or bake for a few additional minutes.
Serving: Butter tarts can be served warm or at room temperature. If reheating, do so gently to avoid melting the filling too much.
Storage: Butter tarts will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. For extended storage, they can be refrigerated or frozen.
Now, you're all set to enjoy this classic, sweet Canadian treat that's sure to be a hit every time!
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