Gooey Butter Tart Squares Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Sweet butter tart squares have been a Canadian dessert legend for generations.

Maple-loving bakers across ontario adore this classic treat.

Each bite delivers a perfectly balanced combination of sugary richness and buttery crunch.

Flaky pastry cradles a gooey, caramel-like filling that melts delightfully on your tongue.

Provincial bakeries and home kitchens share this beloved recipe with pride.

Crisp edges and silky centers make these squares irresistible to anyone who tries them.

You’ll want to bookmark this crowd-pleasing dessert for every potluck and family gathering.

What Makes Butter Tart Squares Irresistible

• Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings, these butter tart squares deliver classic Canadian dessert flavors in an easy-to-serve bar format.
• Whip up this dessert in under an hour with simple pantry ingredients, requiring just basic mixing and baking skills for impressive results.
• Swap raisins for walnuts or add chocolate chips to personalize the recipe, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• These squares remain fresh for days at room temperature or in the refrigerator, ideal for make-ahead dessert planning and easy snacking.

Ingredients That Go Into Butter Tart Squares

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure for the buttery crust.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with crust browning.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky texture and rich flavor for the crust.

• Eggs: Bind the filling and create a smooth, custardy texture.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel-like sweetness to the filling.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps smooth out the filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the filling.
• White Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang and helps balance the sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, comforting flavor to the filling.

• Raisins, Walnuts: Add texture and extra flavor to the butter tart squares. Choose plump raisins or fresh, crisp walnuts for best results.

Baking Your Way to Classic Butter Tart Squares

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F (175C). Grab an 8×8-inch baking pan and give it a quick spray with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper, making sure some paper hangs over the edges for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Create the Crumbly Crust

• Flour
• Granulated sugar

Slice in cold butter and mash it up using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture looks like chunky sand.

Step 3: Press and Bake the Crust

Firmly press the crumbly mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Slide it into the oven and bake until it turns a delicate golden color, about 10-12 minutes.

Step 4: Whip Up the Gooey Filling

• Eggs
• Brown sugar
• Melted butter
• Flour
• Vinegar
• Vanilla extract

Mix until silky smooth. Want some extra texture? Fold in raisins or chopped walnuts.

Step 5: Pour and Finish Baking

Drizzle the filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly. Return to the oven and bake until the top turns golden and the center has a slight wobble, around 25-30 minutes.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the squares cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire batch out. Slice into neat squares.

Step 7: Serve and Store

Serve these delectable treats to eager friends and family. Leftovers can hang out in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or chill in the fridge for up to a week.

Tips for That Signature Gooey Center

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, sugar, and butter to ensure the perfect crust texture and flavor balance.
• Chill Butter Trick: Keep butter cold when making the crust to create flaky, tender layers that melt in your mouth.
• Raisin Swap Strategy: Replace raisins with chocolate chips, pecans, or coconut for personalized flavor variations that suit your taste.
• Control Golden Browning: Watch the squares closely during baking to achieve a rich golden color without burning the delicate edges.
• Cutting Clean Technique: Let the butter tart squares cool completely before slicing to get neat, crisp edges that look professionally made.

How to Keep Butter Tart Squares Fresh

• Store butter tart squares in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep fresh for up to 5 days.
• Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Remove frozen squares from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Microwave briefly for a warm treat if desired.
• Warm squares in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in preheated oven at 300F for 5 minutes to restore original texture and flavor.

Serving Ideas for Butter Tart Squares

• Complement the buttery tart squares with a chilled glass of Ontario ice wine, which matches the dessert's rich sweetness and enhances its caramel-like flavor profile.
• Top each butter tart square with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean gelato, creating a delightful contrast between the warm, gooey tart and the cold, smooth ice cream.
• Brew a robust dark roast coffee to cut through the dessert's sweetness, providing a perfect balance and highlighting the tart's deep caramel undertones.
• Dollop freshly whipped cream infused with pure Canadian maple syrup on top of the squares, adding an extra layer of luxurious regional flavor.

Fun Twists on Butter Tart Squares

Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend for the crust and filling to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.

Nut-Free Alternative: Omit walnuts and substitute with dried cranberries or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor without nut allergens.

Vegan Option: Swap eggs with flax eggs (ground flaxseed mixed with water), use coconut oil instead of butter, and choose plant-based sweeteners like maple syrup for a completely dairy-free and egg-free dessert.

Low-Sugar Adaptation: Reduce brown sugar quantity and incorporate natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit sweetener to create a diabetic-friendly version with lower sugar content.

Butter Tart Squares Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Buttery Canadian butter tart squares deliver classic Prairie comfort in one delectable dessert. Sweet pastry layers merge with rich caramel-like filling, promising pure deliciousness you can savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins:

• ½ cup raisins or chopped walnuts

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by positioning the rack in the center and heating to 350F (175C), ensuring an even baking temperature.
2. Create the foundational crust by combining flour and granulated sugar in a medium mixing bowl, then incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture transforms into coarse, crumbly texture.
3. Transfer the crust mixture into a prepared 8×8-inch baking pan, pressing firmly and uniformly across the bottom to create a compact base layer.
4. Partially bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until it achieves a delicate golden hue, establishing a sturdy foundation for the filling.
5. Simultaneously craft the rich filling by whisking eggs, brown sugar, melted butter, flour, vinegar, and vanilla extract into a silky, harmonious blend.
6. Optionally enhance the filling’s depth by gently folding in raisins or chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
7. Carefully pour the filling over the pre-baked crust, using a spatula to spread it into a consistent layer that covers the entire surface.
8. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a slightly quivering center that indicates perfect custard-like consistency.
9. Allow the baked squares to cool completely within the pan, which helps the filling set and makes cutting easier.
10. Utilize the parchment paper overhang to gracefully lift the entire dessert from the pan, then slice into neat squares.
11. Serve at room temperature and store any remaining squares in an airtight container, consuming within 3 days for optimal freshness.

Notes

• Achieve a buttery, crumbly crust by using cold butter and working quickly to prevent melting.
• Ensure even baking by pressing the crust mixture firmly and uniformly into the pan, creating a consistent base.
• Prevent raisins or nuts from sinking by lightly coating them in flour before folding into the filling.
• Customize the recipe by swapping raisins with chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or dried cranberries for varied flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg