Canadian Butter Tarts

Ingredients and Weight:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5g) baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (1g) salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups (750g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (50g) chopped walnuts (optional)

Preparation Time:

• 20 minutes

Cooking Time:

• 15-20 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• 2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the cold butter to the bowl and use your fingers to work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add the granulated sugar to the bowl and stir until combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla extract.
6. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
7. Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
8. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the dough to a 12-inch (30cm) circle.
9. Use a 2-inch (5cm) round cookie cutter to cut out circles from the dough.
10. Place the dough circles in a muffin tin lined with parchment paper.
11. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, heavy cream, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
12. Stir in the chopped walnuts, if desired.
13. Fill each dough circle with the brown sugar mixture.
14. Repeat steps 8-13 with the remaining dough and filling.
15. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown.
16. Let cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information (per tart):

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 20g
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Sugar: 25g

Dish Characteristics:

• Deliciously sweet and indulgent
• Perfectly flaky crust
• Rich and creamy filling
• Reminiscent of American pecan pie

User Comments:

• "These butter tarts were an instant hit with my family!"
• "The perfect balance of sweetness and richness."
• "The flaky crust was a delight."
• "Easy to prepare and a crowd-pleaser."
• "A taste of Canada that's sure to become a favorite."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use cold butter for a flakier crust.
• Do not overmix the dough, as this will result in a tough crust.
• Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out to prevent the dough from becoming too sticky.
• If you don't have a muffin tin, you can bake the butter tarts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.