THE BEST CLASSIC CANADIAN BUTTER TARTS

Butter tarts are one of my all time favorite sweet treats and have been for many years. I don’t often make them because, to be absolutely frank, I would not rest until I had eaten all of them!

Canadians love their butter tarts and I have had some fine examples in other parts of the country. I think the nod goes to Quebec for the best I’ve had though.

I can’t tell you the numbers of these I’ve eaten over the years, driving along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and stopping into little bakeries along the way to sample the local versions of this perfect little pastry. Here is my favorite version.

Ingredients

For the Pastry

• 2 ¼ cups flour pastry flour is best to use but all-purpose will do
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1/2 cup shortening Very cold and cut in cubes
• 1/2 cup butter Very cold and cut in cubes
• 6 tbsp ice water approximately, enough to bring the dough together

For the Filling

• 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• ½ cup raisins substituting, pecans, walnuts or chocolate chips also make good variations

Instructions

To prepare the pastry

• Pulse the cold butter and shortening into the flour sugar and salt using a food processor until the shortening or butter is reduced to pea sized pieces.
• Sprinkle the water over the surface and toss with a fork until the water is just incorporated into the dough. Do not over work the dough; handle it only enough so that the dough stays together.
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full tutorial : http://www.rockrecipes.com/

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