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Canadian Butter Tarts

Servings: 24
Comments:
Celebrate Canada Day with a traditional favorite – Butter Tarts. Whether you’re watching a parade or spending time in the backyard, these gooey treats are a yummy hit with young and old alike. For pastry, use the Canola Oil Pastry recipe – the Double Crust version will make enough pastry for the Butter Tarts.

Canada Day

Before 1982 Canada Day had been known as Dominion Day, First of July, Confederation Day, and July the First.

Canada Day celebrates the events that occurred on July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government. The BNA Act proclaimed "one Dominion under the name of Canada," hence the original title of the holiday, "Dominion Day." Dominion Day was officially renamed "Canada Day" by an Act of Parliament on October 27, 1982. This change reflected the policy of successive governments to down play Canada's colonial origins.

Canada's national celebration is always observed on July 1st, unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case it is observed the following day. Canada Day is considered a Family Day with outings, picnics and celebrations of the birth of our nation. Canadians wave flags, sing songs and enjoy the day!


Ingredients:
1 Canola Oil Pastry recipe* (see recipe below), or use 24 (3-inch/8cm)) unbaked tart shells
1 cup (250 mL) raisins
2 eggs
1 cup (250 mL) brown sugar, packed
1 cup (250 mL) light corn syrup
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. (7 mL) vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. (1 mL) salt


Instructions:
Prepare Double-crust version of Canola Oil Pastry Recipe* (See pastry recipe below). Roll 1/8 inches (3mm) thick to yield 24 tart shells. Line muffin tins with tart shells; divide raisins evenly among shells. In a bowl, lightly beat together eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, vanilla and salt. Pour over raisins, filling shells about 3/4 full. Bake in a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven just until set, about 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack, then carefully remove from pan.

Note: If you wish, you may use 24 (3-inch/8 cm) unbaked tart shells. Fill with raisins, filling, and bake per instructions above.

Makes 24 tarts.

Canola Oil Pastry Recipe

This tender, melt-in-your mouth pastry is easy to make and great in any pie or tart recipe.

Ingredients
For Double Crust:
2 1/4 cups (550 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tsp. (5mL) salt
3/4 cup (175 mL) canola oil
1/4 cup (50 mL) water, cold

Instructions:
To Make a Basic Pie Crust

Stirt together flour and salt in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, combine oil and water. Add to flour all at once. Stir lightly with a fork until dough comes together.

Gather pastry into a ball. Divide into 2 portions for double-crust pie. Flatten balls slightly. Place 1 ball of dough between 2 large squares of waxed paper. Place on moistened surface to keep paper from moving.

Roll out dough between waxed paper to desired size for recipe. Peel off top paper.

Flip dough over with remainaing paper onto pie plate. Gently peel off top paper. Ease dough into pan.

For a top crust, roll remaining ball from double-crust recipe the same way and flip over filling.

Cut slits for steam to escape. Bake as directed in recipe.

To Bake Blind (without filling)

Cut out a 12-inch (30 cm) circle of aluminum foil or parchment paper. Fit into pastry shell. Fill with pie weights or dried beans (lima, kidney, etc.).

Bake on lower rack of a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven 10 minutes.

Cool 5 minutes, then remove beans. Lower heat to 350°F (180°C) and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until golden.

Photograph taken by Diana Baker Woodall© 2003


Source: Robin Hood Flour
Date: June 22, 2003