A quintessential Canadian dessert, butter tarts started showing up in recipe books in Canada in the early 18th Century. Common among pioneers in Canada, the earliest known recipe was published in Barrie, and is found in The Women's Auxiliary of the Royal Victoria Hospital Cookbook, in 1915. These rich tarts have proven to stand the test of time, and can still be found at many local bakeries throughout Toronto.
1. Wanda's Pie in the Sky
If you're looking for pies and tarts Wanda's Pie in the Sky is the place. The butter tart is made the classic Canadian way, with butter, corn syrup, raisins and walnuts. With rich butter filling and Wanda's signature tart crust, this butter tart is a definite must try!
2. OMG Baked Goodness
A new take on the classic butter tart, OMG Baked Goodness uses natural maple syrup to sweeten its butter tarts. OMG uses maple syrup from Manitoulin Island. The combination of maple syrup and butter gives OMG Baked Goodness' butter tart an extra smooth texture. A treat for any sweet tooth, the substitute of maple syrup for corn syrup makes for a deliciously sweet butter tart.
3. Andrea's Gerrard Street Bakery
Located in the East end, Andrea's Gerrard St. Bakery is always stocked with delicious baked treats, but the standout is its deep-dish butter tart. Made with the usual suspects, like butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, eggs and flour, the thick-crusted butter tarts are filled to the top. Sweet, and delicious, owner Andrea uses her grandmother's butter tart recipe in her bakery. With just one bite, you'll be hooked on these buttery treats.
4. Bunner's
Known around the city for its delectable vegan and gluten free desserts, it's no wonder the butter tarts landed on our best of list. Vegan friendly, the butter tart is made with vegan butter, a mixture of agave oil and palm oil, corn syrup and raisins, that all sit in the dark and and flaky crust. They are so good, you won't believe these tarts aren't actually made with real butter!
5. Phipps Bakery
This eclectic bakery in the Yonge & Eglinton offers four types of butter tarts. Choose from the classic butter tart, chocolate butter tart, caramel and pecan butter tart or caramel butter tart, and if you can't choose, just grab a pack of six from the prepackaged counter. All of the butter tarts are made fresh daily, with all-natural ingredients. Their fillings are the highlight, each tart is filled with a sticky and rich buttery concoction that isn't easy to resist.