Butter Tart Bars

Enjoy all of the flavor of classic butter tarts but with less effort by making them in bar form. A buttery shortbread crust takes the place of homemade pastry and is topped with the sweet and gooey filling that is every bit as delicious as the original recipe and is sure to satisfy your tart cravings.

Jump to:

• The Ingredients
• The Method
• Leftovers and Storage
• Make it Your Own
• Multiplying the Butter Tart Bars Recipe
• Serving Ideas
• Dietary Notes
• And if you liked these Butter Tart Squares...
• Butter Tart Bars
• Comments

A few years ago, when I was trying to nail down what I wanted to bake for the holiday season, I asked Brendan if he had any requests. Among his ideas (including gingersnaps and snickerdoodles) were butter tarts.

I wasn't really in the mood to fuss with pie crust and so I was delighted when I turned to my grandma's family cookbook to find her recipe for butter tart bars.

However, lucky as I am to have my grandma's old cookbook, the recipes are not exactly the easiest to follow. A lot of them are vague with ingredient amounts, bake times and even oven temperatures missing and up for imagination.

But I am happy to report that after making and playing around with it for the past few years, I now have it down to the perfect recipe.

The tart filling comes out gooey in the centre and caramelized on the top and edges. If you thought the edge pieces in brownies were the best part- wait until you try one of these!

If you've never had classic Canadian butter tarts, think pecan pie- a thick and buttery vanilla brown sugar filling is baked until it forms a crackly caramelized crust on top and a soft and sticky centre.

Unlike pecan pie, they are typically baked in small individual tart shells and raisins are the most popular add in. Though if you're not on team raisin, they can (and often are) made without!

If you love these, be sure to give these Eatmore Bars a try- another Canadian classic treat!

The Ingredients

• Butter- I typically make these with salted butter but unsalted butter will work as well- just add ⅛ teaspoon of salt to the base and increase the salt in the filled to ¼ tsp. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature.
• Brown Sugar- For best flavor, I recommend using dark brown sugar but golden brown works too.
• Whole Wheat Flour- Regular all purpose flour also works. Or, if you would like to make gluten free butter tart bars, see my notes on using oat flour in the "Make it your own" section.
• Egg
• Vanilla Extract
• Sea Salt
• Optional Add Ins- Up to 1 cup of raisins, chopped dates, chopped walnuts, chopped pecans or a mixture.

The Method

1. Make the shortbread cookie crust. In a microwave safe bowl, combine butter (the first portion, softened), the brown sugar and the flour with a hand mixer or fork. Prepare a 9x4 inch (8x4 or 9x5 also work) loaf and press into the bottom of the pan and bake at 350 F for 15 minutes.

2. Make the filling. Meanwhile, in the same mixing bowl, melt butter in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Cream the melted butter together with the sugar and then add the remaining ingredients. Mix until well combined and pour mixture over the shortbread base once it has finished baking.

3. Bake. Return the pan to the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until the filling ingredients are set.

4. Cool and cut. Remove the pan to a wire rack and allow to cool completely at room temperature for 1 hour and then in the refrigerator for 30 additional minutes to set. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares.

5. Serve.

Leftovers and Storage

To Store: Store leftover butter tart squares in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

To Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months.

Make it Your Own

• A Gluten Free Crust Option (using oat flour)- I have made these bars several times with oat flour (use certified gluten free if needed) by applying what I learned from adapting cookie recipes to use oat flour.
  • Increase the oat flour to 90 g (¾ cup lightly packed) to replace the whole wheat flour.
  • I recommend using store bought for the most consistent results though I have gotten decent results with homemade oat flour as well.

• Customize the Add Ins- While raisins are the most traditional add in for these, you could totally get creative and use any of the following or a combination instead!
  • Pecans halves
  • Walnut halves
  • Almond slices
  • Chopped Dates
  • Chocolate Chips
• Make a Large Butter Tart- Use the 2x recipe card function and press the crust into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch round tart pan. Bake as directed with 2x the filling. Cool and cut into slices

Multiplying the Butter Tart Bars Recipe

To make a larger batch:

• For 16 bars- double the recipe (use the 2x function on the recipe card) and bake in a 8x8 or 9x9 inch square baking pan. Or you can make them in a 9 inch cake pan, pie dish or tart pan. Bake time for the filling may need to increase by 2-3 minutes.
• For 24 bars- triple the recipe (use the 3x function on the recipe card) and bake in a 9x13 inch pan. Bake time for the filling may need to increase by 3-5 minutes.

Serving Ideas

Add these delicious bars to your holiday baking platter, eat them with some vanilla ice cream or just enjoy them on their own anytime!

Dietary Notes

If you have dietary restrictions, check the packaging of specific ingredients that you use to ensure they are compliant. This recipe is:

• Gluten Free- If you use oat flour.
• Vegetarian

And if you liked these Butter Tart Squares...

...you might also like these other sweet treats!

• Cranberry Crisp
• Coconut Flour Brownies
• Fruit Pizza
• Homemade Oreos
• Flourless Oatmeal Cookie Bars

More Sweet Treat Recipes!