Description
Butter Tart Squares are a rich, gooey dessert bar with a buttery shortbread-style base and a deep brown sugar filling that tastes like classic butter tarts in an easier, sliceable form. Perfect for holiday baking, dessert trays, sweet snack cravings, and easy recipe planning, these bars fit right into your favorite dessert ideas, food ideas, and make-ahead treats for gatherings.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix the softened butter, 2 cups flour, granulated sugar, and salt until a soft dough forms.
3. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan to create the crust.
4. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, until lightly set and just starting to turn golden at the edges.
5. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth and glossy.
6. Stir in the raisins and chopped pecans.
7. Pour the filling evenly over the hot crust.
8. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is deep golden and the center is mostly set.
9. Cool the bars completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Notes
Do not slice the bars while warm or the filling may seem too loose.
For a more classic texture, use raisins, but you can leave them out if preferred.
Chill the bars briefly before cutting if you want especially neat, clean edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 48mg
Keywords: butter tart squares, dessert bars, easy dessert recipe, holiday baking, gooey bars, brown sugar bars, sweet treats, make-ahead dessert