The delicious flavours of Canadian butter tarts are transformed into a quick and simple recipe. With a crumbly shortbread crust and gooey filling, they are much quicker to make, than butter tarts!
Life has slowly been getting back to normal for us here at Mom, the Lunch Lady. We are now all fully vaccinated and have been enjoying the slow return to normalcy. Since it was a long weekend here in Ontario, this past weekend, we took advantage to have a family get together with some of my SO's extended family. It was a wonderful day of fun, food, laughter, adventure and memories. Even despite the cold temperatures and the rain. We finished the weekend off at the cottage with more extended family, and one heck of a bonfire!
I'm the type of person that hates showing up to an event empty handed, so I decided to make dessert, to bring to our get together. I had been wanting to make my Mom's Butter Tart Squares for some time now, so decided this would be the perfect way for me to make them for the blog, and not eat half the pan 😆 Mom use to make these a lot when we were little and they are her go to, when she has to make dessert for events. Super simple to make and so addictively delicious, these didn't last long over the weekend celebrations.
What are Butter Tart Squares?
Butter Tarts are a classic Canadian dessert, consisting of a filling made with butter, sugar, syrup and egg, baked in a pastry tart shell. The earliest published recipe for butter tarts, is from Barrie Ontario and was found in The Woman's Auxiliary of the Royal Victoria Hospital Cookbook in 1900.
Butter tart squares take all the delicious flavours and ingredients from butter tarts, but makes them into delicious bite size squares. Making a shortbread crust and topping it with the filling is so much simpler than making tart dough and individual tarts. While I still love making and eating butter tarts, butter tart squares are a great way to cure a craving when you are short on time.
Can I add nuts or raisins to my Butter Tart Squares?
The original recipe calls for walnuts, but they can be substituted for pecans, or raisins. My mom always subbed coconut for the oatmeal in the original recipe, so I do the same. You can also omit the nuts if you aren't a fan.
How do I store Butter Tart Squares?
The trick to these bars are to let them cool completely before cutting them. That way the filling has time to set properly. I usually leave the bars in the baking dish on the counter, covered in plastic wrap, cutting them as needed.
If I bring them somewhere, I cut them into squares and place them on a platter, covered with plastic wrap. Depending on the temperature in your house, you may want to keep them in the fridge, so they stay set.
You can also freeze these bars, but cutting them and placing them in an air tight container, with layers of parchment between the bars. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
PIN IT!!!
Equipment needed for this recipe
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- mixing bowls (2)
- pastry cutter
- measuring cups for liquid and solid measures
- measuring spoons
- whisk
I would eat these for sure and can totally see them being devoured at family gatherings! Great recipe!
ReplyDeleteThese look SO good! My husband loves decadent desserts like this. I will have to make them for him now. Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe!
ReplyDeleteThis look so good. I don't think I have ever had tart squares before. This looks like a great snack to have.
ReplyDeleteThis simple bar recipe is the perfect dessert!
ReplyDeleteYum! These butter squares were so delicious! I loved how rich they were!
ReplyDeleteThese sound amazing and I love the coconut swap!! Delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI also like to make and take something to get togethers. I don't like to show up empty handed. The walnuts are a nice change to pecans that I usually use in desserts. Simple and perfect for a dessert for your family or guest.
ReplyDeleteSuper excited to try these butter tart squares! They look amazing and sound so sweet and decadent. What an awesome dessert idea to bring to a gathering!
ReplyDeleteI love learning new recipes and desserts from other places. This recipe looks easy to follow and delicious.
ReplyDeleteI love homemade butter tarts (fellow Canadian here :), so I am super excited to try these butter tart squares; they look delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this delicious recipe from your family collection.
ReplyDeleteI do so love trying different regional desserts and am honored you shared.
Can I omit the nuts ? Maybe add a little of the oat meal with coconut, or
Will it make a difference? Have a blessed day.
Coconut would work without affecting the consistency of the filling. I'm not sure about oats, as they will absorb some of the moisture.
DeleteInteresting history for this yummy cookie! I need to try making it now, you made me curious!
ReplyDelete