This Butter Tart Squares Recipe is one that I make every holiday season. Butter tarts, themselves are a very classic Canadian treat, (maybe even an iconic one), and if you have never tried one, you are missing out. You don't need to be Canadian. This sweet, gooey, delectably sugary treat should be enjoyed by everyone.
What is a Butter Tart?
These delicious treats are a little bit similar to a pecan pie. But not the same. If you are Canadian, then you know exactly what I mean. One thing for sure, butter tarts are delectable, sweet, gooey treats, and they are an especially popular indulgence during the holiday season here in Canada. Butter Tarts are a really a very simple recipe. There's a pastry tart shell, and the sweet and simple filling, which is made with eggs, brown sugar, (or sometimes maple syrup) and, of course, butter. There is, almost always, an addition of either, raisins, walnuts, currants, or pecans. Canadians tend to feel strongly about their butter tarts, and people can have very strong preferences about the add ins. Usually leaning to how their grandmothers and mothers did the recipe.
Butter Tart Squares vs Butter Tarts
It's a very adaptable recipe, and many variations and twists on the classic butter tart have been tried. Check out The Great Canadian Cookbook for some of them. In our house, we do, of course, adore the classic version. I have, however adapted my own twist with this recipe where the pastry tart shell has been replaced with a brown sugar shortbread.
One Big Pan Vs Individual Tarts
Making one big pan of butter tart squares is much easier than individual tarts, and there is no pastry to roll out. The shortbread base is easy to make and much less fiddly than individual pastry tarts. The filling here is a bit firmer than some tarts, so that the squares will hold their shape. So there is no maple syrup involved. Just brown sugar, eggs and butter combine to make their magic, and pecans add a delicious, nutty crunch. As they bake, the squares form a light caramelized crust on top, while the filling stays gooey.
Freezer Friendly Make Ahead Treats
The squares will keep, covered, at room temperature for a couple of days, otherwise, put in fridge for up to a week. These can be frozen, but be warned, it won't stop anyone from eating them up. They are even delicious when frozen, as we have discovered at my house.
Looking for more shortbread treats? Try Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Cookies, or Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
How to Make Butter Tart Squares
Butter Tart Squares Recipe – Butter Tart Shortbread
Ingredients
Shortbread Base
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
Filling
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
For the Base
- Pre heat oven to 350°
- Prepare a 9 x 13" baking pan by lining with parchment paper
- Use a mixer to beat the butter, brown sugar, salt and vanilla until combined
- Add the flour and continue mixing until incorporated. The dough will be crumbly, but will press evenly together.
- With your hands, press the dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake in centre of oven 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool while you make the filling
For the Filling
- Using a mixer, beat eggs. Add sugar and beat, then butter, vanilla, flour, and salt.
- Beat for a couple of minutes, then stir in pecans.
- Spread filling evenly over crust
- Return to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until filling is set. The top should be brown and the filling should still jiggle a little when you move the pan.
- Allow to cool completely on a rack before removing from pan. Cut into squares
Notes
Nutrition
Butter Tart Squares
This is a family favourite in our house and I highly recommend it to everyone! I use Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste instead of regular vanilla extract and I find it makes the butter tart incredibly buttery and more flavourful. I love the shortbread like brown sugar crust! I have made this recipe many, many times and it always comes out beautifully!
Thank you,
Beth
Hi Beth! I'm so happy that your family loves this recipe as much as mine does. And thank you for the great tip! I am on the hunt for that vanilla bean paste! I so appreciate your feedback. It is super helpful to others, and it makes my heart happy, too.
After 25 years of baking butter tarts for Christmas, this was my first year of trying a pan of them instead..WOW, so much easier and the shortbread crust was excellent. I made 2 pans, one by following the recipe and the other with 'my slant' on it. Mine had the typical Canadian version of adding raisins soaked first to plump up in a little warm water and Maple syrup. I also added a 1/4 of maple syrup to the recipe and tossed another teaspoon of flour in. I was also out of vanilla so I used vanilla paste. They were EXCELLENT, in fact I may never fool with tart shells again lol. Thank you so much, this may be my go to for the next 25 years 🙂 Merry Christmas from Alberta!
Hi AlbertaGirl! I am so thrilled to hear that you loved this recipe! I love it too and make it every Christmas. I LOVE your additions of raisins (and I wish my family did, haha) and maple syrup. Thank you very much for coming back to share, and Merry Christmas from BC!
BUTTER. TART. SQUARES. Oh my gosh. I am the biggest butter tart fiend out there, and my only gripe with them if that they're messy. This fixes it! What an amazing recipe—so buttery, flaky and gooey! Yum. 🙂
Thanks Cassie! I am so with you on being a butter tart fiend!
These look so good! A nice way to update a classic.
Thanks Teresa!
Awesome! Butter tarts are one of my new found favorite Canadian desserts! The fact that these don't incorporate the usual shell is wonderful...great to take on a walk and enjoy with a thermos of hot tea!
Marcus, that sounds like a wonderful way to enjoy these delicious butter tart squares. Thanks so much for sharing!
It would be the holidays without butter tarts. Making one of my favourite desserts into a square is even better!
Thanks so much! Yes, for me, at least the square works much better than the tart, ha ha
These look delicious! My mom loves butter tarts - I bet she would love these!
Thanks Laura! They really are delicious 🙂
I love this <3 It looks so festive but without the work of having to make little pie shells!
Thanks Amanda, that's what I love about them too.