Crisp shortbread is layered with a gooey, sweet mixture of nuts and fruit topped with a crisp caramelized layer of brown sugar crust to make these irresistible Butter Tart Squares.

This recipe transforms classic butter tarts into a simple bar dessert recipe that you can make in a fraction of the time. To make this recipe, you’ll press the crust into a baking pan, with no need to form individual tart shells.
Butter Tart Squares
Butter Tart Squares were described by Beth as The Ultimate Canadian Food. You know that I could not resist baking something described that way!
I’m super happy to say that this dessert lived up to its reputation. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made these Butter Tart Squares over the past ten years.
Butter Tart Filling Ingredients
The filling for butter tarts is a base of butter, sugar, and egg. Some recipes create a sweet, syrupy, runny filling, others make them gooey, but firm enough to slice and hold.
We like our butter tarts made into bars and very generously filled with chewy raisins and nuts.
- melted butter
- light brown sugar
- eggs
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- vanilla extract
- kosher salt
- raisins
- chopped pecans or walnuts

Butter Tart Crust
You’ll need only three ingredients to make the crust for this recipe: butter, flour, and sugar.
This is a simple shortbread crust that is crisp and buttery. It’s lightly sweetened and almost melts in your mouth.

I’m a big fan of a simple shortbread crust – and shortbread-style cookies and bar desserts too! Nothing beats the ease of combining just a handful of ingredients for these simple treats.
Baking Tip: Here’s a tip for pressing shortbread crusts into baking pans. I tear an extra section of parchment paper and lay it on top of the dough. Use that paper to press the pan into the crust. Your hands will stay clean and the dough will spread smoothly across the pan.

Butter Tart Recipe
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9″ square pan with parchment paper or grease it very well with butter.
- To make the crust, beat the butter and the sugar together until smooth. Add the flour and stir just until combined. Press into the prepared pan and then bake for 15 minutes. Let the crust cool completely.
- When the crust has cooled, mix together the filling ingredients. Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter and then add the remaining ingredients. Pour the filling over the crust.
- Bake until the top springs back when lightly touched, approximately 22-25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.


Butter Tart Squares
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 cup all-purpose flour*
- ½ cup sugar
*Gluten-Free Alternative for the Crust
- ⅔ cup brown rice flour
- ⅓ cup potato starch
Filling Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour**
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
**Gluten-Free Alternative for the Filling
- 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9" square pan with parchment paper or grease it very well with butter.
- To make the crust, beat the butter and the sugar together until smooth. Add the flour and stir just until combined. Press into the prepared pan and then bake for 15 minutes. Let cool completely.
- When the crust has cooled, mix together the filling ingredients. Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter and then add the remaining ingredients. Pour the filling over the crust.
- Bake until top springs back when lightly touched, approximately 25-28 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Enjoy!
Notes
{originally published 6/21/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 7/13/21}
Check out all of the Gluten Free Dessert Recipes on this website!

Linda says
Oh yum!! Can these be frozen?? (Just so I can have a ‘stash’)?!
Lee Robins says
Hi there. I made these for christmas and the taste is wonderful! I did, however, have a problem with the crust. I made as written the first time, and the crust was no where near cooked when I was supposed to add the filling. It was a mess. The second time, I baked the crust much longer and they worked out great. Did I do something wrong.? Thank you for the recipe. My daugter-in-law is gluten intolerant and these helped here indulge in the “butter tarts” along with everyone else.
Mary Younkin says
It’s hard to guess without being in your kitchen with you, Lee. The crust should be very close to baked through though before you top it with the filling though. I’d adjust as needed to make sure it is. I’m glad your daughter in law enjoyed the tarts!
Sue says
Would substituting dates for the raisins be moist enough to achieve the desired consistency?
Mary Younkin says
I’m guessing that if they’re chopped well, they’ll work nicely, Sue.
Terry Peterson says
The pastry at the bottom was soupy. I measured everything perfectly. Very disappointing.
Mary Younkin says
Did you bake the pastry crust as directed in the recipe? It should’ve been baked through prior to adding the next layer.
Julia says
incredible and folks at work really liked, even if they said they did not like raisins.