Description
Butter Tart Squares are the kind of old-fashioned dessert bars that instantly make any table feel special. With a buttery shortbread-style crust and a rich, gooey brown sugar filling, these easy dessert bars deliver all the cozy flavor of a classic butter tart in a simple slice-and-serve form. They are perfect for holiday baking, potlucks, sweet snack cravings, dessert trays, and easy recipe ideas when you want homemade food ideas that feel comforting, crowd-pleasing, and absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
2. In a medium bowl, cream 1 cup softened butter with 1/4 cup brown sugar until smooth.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then mix until a soft dough forms.
4. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Bake the crust for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly set and just beginning to turn golden at the edges.
6. While the crust bakes, whisk the eggs, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a separate bowl until smooth.
7. Pour the filling over the warm crust.
8. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is set and the center has only a slight jiggle.
9. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 squares.
Notes
Do not overbake the filling, or the squares can lose their signature gooey center and become too firm after cooling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 48mg