Canadian Butter Tarts

Recipe View Craft the Crust (Prep time: 20 minutes): In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to relax the gluten.

Recipe View Prepare for Baking (Prep time: 10 minutes): Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin or tart pan. Spread the chopped walnuts and flaked coconut evenly on a rimmed baking sheet.

Recipe View Assemble the Tarts (Prep time: 15 minutes): Unwrap the chilled dough and roll it out thinly between two sheets of waxed paper. Using a round cutter, cut out 12 circles of dough. Gently press each circle into the prepared muffin cups. Distribute the raisins evenly among the tart shells.

Recipe View Toast the Nuts and Coconut (Bake time: 5-10 minutes): Place the baking sheet with the walnuts and coconut in the preheated oven. Bake until they are lightly browned and fragrant, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Recipe View Create the Filling (Prep time: 5 minutes): In a separate bowl, whisk together the packed brown sugar, egg, hot water, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. Stir in the toasted walnuts and coconut.

Recipe View Fill and Bake (Bake time: 10-12 minutes): Carefully pour the filling into the tart shells, filling them no more than 2/3 full to prevent overflow during baking.

Recipe View Bake to Golden Perfection (Bake time: 10-12 minutes): Place the filled tart pan in the preheated oven at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set but still slightly jiggly, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Recipe View Cool and Enjoy (Cool time: 30 minutes): Remove the tarts from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before carefully removing them. The filling will set further as they cool. Serve and savor the delightful taste of homemade Canadian Butter Tarts!