Military Wives – Canadian Butter Tarts

We really loved seeing the Military Wives perform at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert on Monday – and they still found time to bake tarts too! Big thanks to Becki Fleming for submitting her recipe for Canadian butter tarts.

Think your tart’s got what it takes? Submit a photo of your tarts and a recipe and they could be tomorrow’s Tart of the Day! 

Ingredients

• 375g ready made shortcrust pastry (375g or 12oz homemade)
• 2 large eggs
• 175g light muscovado sugar
• 100g raisins
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• 50g room temperature butter
• 4tbsp single cream
• 50g chopped walnuts

Method

1. Preheat the oven to fan 170C/ conventional 190C/gas 5. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface so it’s slightly thinner than straight from the pack. Then cut out 18-20 rounds with a 7.5cm fluted cutter, re-rolling the trimmings. Use the rounds to line two deep 12-hole tart tins (not muffin tins). If you only have a regular-sized, 12-hole tart tin you will be able to make a few more slightly shallower tarts.
2. Beat the eggs in a large bowl and combine with the rest of the ingredients except the walnuts. Tip this mixture into a pan and stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until the butter melts, and the mixture bubbles and starts to thicken. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Don’t overcook, and be sure to stir all the time as the mixture can easily burn. Remove from the heat and stir in the nuts.
3. Spoon the filling into the unbaked tart shells so it’s level with the pastry. Bake for 15-18 minutes until set and pale golden. Leave in the tin to cool for a few minutes before lifting out on to a wire rack. Serve warm or cold.

Why not use your tarts to help blind veterans? Find out how…