These Butter Tart Squares are so sweet and gooey — a shortbread crust makes these so easy and SO good! So much quicker than butter tarts.
Please tell me you’ve had a butter tart.
If you haven’t, American friends, I am truly, truly sympathetic. Luckily, I’m sharing this recipe with you today. And Butter Tart Squares are so much easier than butter tarts.
When I cook, and create new recipes for the blog, I really try to think outside the box. I try to come up with some things that I (and maybe you) have never seen before.
But every once in a while I think maybe the best place to start is with what I already know and love. Maybe those are the recipes you really want. Maybe those are even recipes that you’ve never seen before.
So I know the butter tart is a Canadian thing, but tell me some American bakeries have caught on. If not, now is your chance to experience something totally unreal.
It’s butter. And brown sugar.
And essentially, not much more. You need some eggs in there to hold everything together. And you need something to put it on.
I’ve been meaning to make actual butter tarts for the blog for a long time now, but the thought of making homemade pastry and forming tart shells is just overwhelming right now. So I texted my sister and asked her for a butter tart square recipe.
I was right in assuming she would have one. She texted me right back with a picture of her recipe card. And all of her notes on it. I think I even managed to interpret it correctly.
But some of her notes just didn’t work out for me, so I knew I definitely needed a place to document the version that worked for me. The funny thing is, I have this blog here.
So, please, if you’ve never had a butter tart, start with these squares. You won’t believe how easy they are.
Updates to this Butter Tart Squares recipe:
This post, recipe and the images have been updated from November 2014 — five years later it was time!
I wanted to clarify which things I’ve adjusted from the original recipe to make it work even better, just in case you’ve been here and you’ve made them before:
- I added a tablespoon or two of water to the base — just enough so that it holds together when you squeeze it.
- I no longer recommend baking in a small cookie sheet — a 9×13″ baking pan will give you the best results and nice thick gooey layers!
- I no longer recommend lining the pan with tin foil (as I did often 5 years ago) — instead I recommend using parchment paper or nothing at all but a good layer of non stick spray. The problem with parchment is that the crust won’t hug the sides of the pan as tightly, which means a bit of the filling will drip down the edges. This is a not a real problem — but you will have some caramelized sugar along the sides. Don’t worry, it won’t leak all over the bottom under the crust.
- The vinegar, because some people have commented, is to cut through some of the sweetness and is a traditional ingredient in butter tart squares. If you prefer, or you’re worried about it, you can reduce to 1 tablespoon or omit, but I recommend enjoying with a strong cup of coffee.
How to store Butter Tart Squares:
- These Butter Tart Squares can be refrigerated for one week in an airtight container
- To store for a longer period, place in an airtight container or freezer bag, with wax paper or parchment in between the layers, and freeze for up to 3 months. They are delicious straight out of the freezer, or thaw at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
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Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 4 tbsp powdered icing sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
- 1-2 tablespoons cold water optional
Filling
- 1/2 cup butter unsalted
- 3 cups brown sugar lightly packed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- optional: ¾ cup raisins
Instructions
- Line a 9×13" pan and line with parchment paper and spray with non stick spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and powdered sugar.
- Cut butter into icing sugar and flour with a pastry cutter or your hands until pea-sized lumps of butter remain. When you grab a handful and squeeze, you want it to hold together. If it doesn't hold together, add 1-2 tablespoons of water.
- Dump flour mixture into pan and press down evenly to form a crust. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare your filling. In a medium bowl, melt butter in the microwave.
- Whisk in brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, then add the vinegar and vanilla. Stir in raisins if using.
- Pour over crust and bake another 25-30 minutes until filling is set or almost set — a slight jiggle is fine but you don't want a lot of movement. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate several hours before slicing.
Nutrition Information
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annie@ciaochowbambina says
I wish I could tell you I’ve had a butter square…I will be soon!! Can’t wait to try this!
Ashley says
I’m so glad to hear that! 🙂
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Oh my holy heck. These look incredible. I’m so mad that I’m not Canadian right now. MUST MAKE THESE!!
Ashley says
You must! You won’t regret it 😉
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
Butter + brown sugar can be a dessert on its own I’m convinced 🙂 Except these bars look so much better and they have both – YUM!! Pinned 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Chelsea! The two can make anything pretty awesome 🙂
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Isn’t that funny, I had no idea butter tarts were a Canadian thing. I love these bars, I also can’t be bothered with pastry most of the time, so this is a perfect solution! And really. Butter and brown sugar, can’t possibly go wrong, with that combo 🙂
Ashley says
Right?! And yes the shortbread crust definitely makes things easier!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Butter tarts are a Canadian thing? I had no idea. I love butter tarts, and will most definitely be posting my fave recipe this Christmas! I haven’t made butter tart squares in eons though, I kind of forgot about them! Thanks for reminding me, now I need to make those again, so good!
Ashley says
Butter tarts are 100% Canadian! Can’t wait to see your recipe 🙂
Amanda says
Love this!!!
Ashley says
Thanks Amanda!
Mallory @ Chocolate with Grace says
I’ve never had a butter tart! But I’m sold. You can’t go wrong with something named like that!
Ashley says
I am still totally surprised how many people haven’t had one! They are SO good, especially at Christmas time 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I have never had (or heard of) a butter tart! But holy moly… butter! Brown sugar! What’s not to love?? These sound AMAZING!!! I will definitely have to try these babies!
Ashley says
You definitely will Jess! They’re unreal! (But I mean, you cant really go wrong with those 2 things, right?)
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
These are fantastic. I’ve never had a butter tart, but I bet they’re amazing. And in bar form, even better! Pinned!
Ashley says
Thanks Dorothy! They are pretty legendary!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never had a butter tart. I mean, can you say SAD?! I think I’m gonna have to start with these bars though, because they look absolutely FAB, Ashley! Pinned.
Ashley says
Thanks Sarah! I’m pretty sad for you right now, but luckily there’s still time! Lol. Butter tarts are kind of necessary here around the holidays 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I LOVE these butter tarts! I am drooling at how amazing yours look! I would have no self control around these guys and could easily polish off too many in one sitting! Pinning 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Kelly! It is pretty hard to control oneself around butter tart anything!
Tonia says
I’ve never had butter tarts but anything with butter…especially brown butter…has to be good!
Ashley says
Thanks Tonia! Butter and brown sugar are a pretty irresistible combo!
Isadora @ she likes food says
I have never heard of butter tarts before, but now they are all I can think about! My mouth is watering just looking at them! I’m so glad you decided to make these 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Isadora! They’re pretty unforgettable. Once you’ve had one, it’s hard to go back!
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
I’ve never had a butter tart… But now I desperately want one! Amazing!!!
Ashley says
You totally should!
Melanie @ Garnish & Glaze says
Oh my gosh! My husband LOVES butter tarts! I had never heard of them either until I met him. His dad is from Canada so that’s how they know about and love them. My mother-in-law makes them but in muffin tins and adds raisins. Making them into bars sounds way easier.
Ashley says
I’m SO glad you know what I’m talking about! The traditional way is as a tart, and we make them that way often but bars are so much easier! Plus, I’m lazy 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
A butter tart seriously sounds like something I need in my life… but you’re right these bars look better and easier! Yum 🙂
Ashley says
You totally do need them in your life. I think that goes for everyone!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
I can’t believe I’ve never had one! Now I am jealous and grumpy and must make these fantastic butter tart squares ASAP! They look like they’d be a perfect dessert this holiday season too! 😀
Ashley says
Oh Jess, you’ve been missing out! Butter tarts are #1 up here — in fact, MacDonald’s in Canada just started selling a Butter Tart pie! I was totally delighted. You should definitely try them!
Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze says
I have never heard of butter tarts before. 🙁 I am going to have to try these asap! They look delicious. And I love bars more than anything too. Pinned!
Ashley says
I’m surprised how many people have been living without butter tarts! You definitely need to try them 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
How have I never had, or even heard of, a butter tart?! It sounds amazing! Is it normally in pie form? I feel like I like the idea of a bar even more, These pictures are just amazing too. Can’t wait to make these!
Ashley says
I honestly don’t know how you’ve lived for so long without. They are normally in tart form, but I was WAY too lazy for that! Bars are one pan and done 🙂
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
Everything with butter is better in my book! These look delicious!
Ashley says
Definitely! Butter AND sugar — both totally necessary 😀
Kathy Woods says
I was born in Canada 64 years ago but we moved to the US when I was just 7. Since then I have not had a butter tart but over the years I have dreamed of them! 🙂 These bars sound so easy and I plan to make them for my daughter’s baby shower….attended by Americans who have never had a butter tart, I know they will be gone in a flash! Thank you so much Ashley, for this wonderful and easy recipe!
Ashley says
It’s one of my favorite kinds of bars! Glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂