Canadian Butter Tarts

Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15 min
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 servings

Description

This recipe makes a dozen butter tarts with a homemade crust and a gooey, sweet filling made with brown sugar, raisins, toasted coconut, and walnuts.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shortening
5 tablespoons ice water
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon hot water
1/2 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1 Make the crust: Sift flour and salt into a bowl. Cut in shortening until pieces are pea-sized. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix until dough comes together. Form dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
2 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin or tart pan. Place walnuts and flaked coconut onto a rimmed baking sheet.
3 Unwrap dough and roll between two sheets of waxed paper. Cut 12 circles using a round cutter; press one circle into each prepared muffin cup. Divide raisins evenly among crusts.
4 Bake walnuts and coconut in the preheated oven until browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
5 Meanwhile, whisk brown sugar, egg, hot water, butter, and vanilla together in a bowl. Stir in walnuts and coconut. Pour mixture into tart shells, filling no more than 2/3 full.
6 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
7 Remove from the oven and let cool completely before removing from the pan.