Toronto’s Best Butter Tarts Aren’t in Toronto

[Pantz]

I’ve been obsessing over this lately and I have come to the conclusion that in Toronto, you can’t get a decent butter tart. The options seem to be between supermarket, mass produced monstrosities (with tasteless, bland pastry and gelatinous, corn syrup interiors) and high-end four-dollar works of art.

A butter tart is a homey, simple thing. It should be a little clunky and not too sophisticated. It should offer thick, flaky and buttery pastry, ideally with a consistency close to shortbread. Its interior should be rich, syrupy and in keeping with the name of the tart, buttery! When you bite into the tart, the filling should immediately start to ooze. Acceptable inclusions to the tart’s filling? Pecans or walnuts. Raisins are completely unacceptable. Frankly, if done correctly, than the tart does not need any add-ons.

I’ve looked at some of the old posts about butter tarts in Toronto, and I’ve pretty much been disappointed by most places, though I’ve yet to get to the Hot Oven in Etobicoke. They all seem to lack something. Which brings me to my point. During the summer, I happily visited the Farmers Market at Nathan Phillips Square and bought the tarts made by one of the farmers. These tarts sold 6 for 8 bucks, and hit all my requirements.

Now we’re into November, I can’t rely on this source any more. My sister in law’s recent trip to cottage country brought back the amazing butter tarts made by a small bakery in Haliburton – the Ingoldsby Junction Buttertarts Café. These tarts are, as the kids say, off the hook! Super flaky pastry barely holding back the impending ooze, these fragile babies need to be handled with care or they erupt. They obviously use brown sugar for the filling, and occasionally, a clump of sugar may caramelize with the pastry to form a startlingly delicious new form of candy.

So with the long winter coming, I’m hoping someone can give me a recommendation. Hopefully, some place reachable by TTC?

[Shari_Toronto]

Have you seen this?

http://flavourfestival.net/the-kawart...

[Wiley1]

Another vote for Kate's Town Talk in Streetsville-exactly my kind of butter tart! Crispy edges and not too much crust.

[hadra]

Thanks for the tip, Wiley, I'll definitely check them out!

Cheers,
buttertartbliss

[slickpoodle]

You must try Wanda's Pie in the Sky, in Kensington. Awesome butter tarts, speaking as a "Baker" myself. She also does chocolate pecan ones. MMMM.

[kwass]

I'm going to be in Kensington next week, so I'll definitely check them out.

[kwass]

I just went to her website and it says that the butter tarts have raisins and nuts in them. I can tolerate raisins, although I prefer not to have them in my butter tarts, but I have to draw the line @ nuts. Not a fan of nuts in my baked goods....especially in my butter tarts.

[hadra]

Agreed! I think with nuts in the filling, they cease to be butter tarts and become something else. Maybe I'm a purist? :)

Cheers,
buttertartbliss

[kwass]

Nothing wrong with being a purist, especially when it comes to butter tarts :)

[hadra]

My thinking exactly :)

[hadra]

Did anyone check out the First Annual Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Taste-Off in Peterborough yesterday? It was a great chance to taste the wares of a number of the bakeries mentioned in this thread, all gathered in one place. Great savings on time & gas! However, we were surprised by some of the winners, like Doo Doo's, which didn't even make my visual cut. One of our top picks, Betty's, did win overall best. My favourite, The Pie Shack (Fenelon Falls), didn't receive any nods at all. I was also disappointed by the offerings of some bakeries that many others have praised, like Dooher's (Campbellford) and Country Mart (Buckhorn). But it was a fun day and we got some great photos of the people behind the tarts!

Cheers,
buttertartbliss

[principessa del pisello]

I went to the One of A Kind Show this weekend and picked up 6 pecan butter tarts from a booth in the food section. They were delicious. The pastry was not too thick and the filling was runny. They were called Beverley's.

[fryerlover]

Tried a regular butter tart from Tartistry on Queensway. I rarely eat these, however a co-worker wanted to check the place out.
This place is interesting. There are antiques for sale that are really cool to look at and a set of drums in the corner for a jam night.
They sell tarts, cookies and other sweets. As I eat tarts once a year maybe and don't know what makes a great tart, I can only say I thought it was yummy. Parts of the crust had carmalized filling on top and I loved that.
If anyone else does try it, please report back as I'd love to know where on the tart scale these ones are.

[hadra]

I thought Tartistry was an interesting venue, with the antiques and live jazz on Saturdays, but I was really unimpressed by the buttertarts. They weren't runny at all, when I broke them open, the filling stayed solid. The pastry left a greasy feel on the fingers. Disappointing, because the tea china and atmosphere was great. I think I gave them a 6-7/10, and at $3.05 each, they were not cheap.

[kwass]

Ok...so i just got back from MC, where I purchased a dozen butter tarts. I know I said I was going on Tuesday, but it was easier for me to go today. I called and placed the order in advance (which I highly recommend), and they baked them special for me. So, when I got them, they were warm. OMG...these butter tarts are good any way you're going to eat them, but warm, just out of the oven...well let's just say they're incomparable!!

justsayn, I also got a pecan tart, and it was good, but I'm still partial to the plain.

Lastly, I got one of their apple tarts, which comes with a streusel topping. I can't eat it today, because I'm just too full, but I will have it tomorrow and report back.

And if hot butter tarts isn't heaven enough...my whole kitchen smells like butter tarts now, as I'm letting them cool. If I didn't know the truth, I would think they just came out of my oven...lol!

[justsayn]

Glad it worked out so well. I will try the plain in the next couple weeks.

[kwass]

:)

[kwass]

justsayn, as excited as I am for you to try the plain butter tarts, I've been thinking about it and I hope they're not too sweet for you. The reason I say that is that the pecan tart I tried wasn't sweet @ all, and if that's your preference, you might be a little overwhelmed by the plain, which are super-sweet...but in a good way of course :)

[justsayn]

Probably a good warning for me! The less sweeter version always wins for me. But I will try the plain to see the flavour profile.

To further express my distaste for blatant sugar...I had the Le Gourmand chocolate chip cookies for the first time yesterday. I bought two. They warned me they were hot, that's how fresh they were. The warm cookie was like eating Pillsbury to me. The chocolate was chalky and SUGARY and the dough was just more sugar. Good crisp to the edges and good texture though. I left the other one to completely cool off. That helped with the sugar shock a lot but I never need to have that cookie again. : ( It was just too sugary.

[kwass]

People say that their chocolate chip cookies are hit and miss, and I think that's probably true. I'm partial to their peanut butter cookies, as I've mentioned before. You have to give them a try.

[kwass]

I said I would report back on the apple tart...so here goes. What can I say? I don't think MC does anything wrong. It was by far, one of the best apple desserts I've ever had. The streusal topping was perfect...not too sweet; nor were the apples sweet, but flavoured just right. And the crust...well that goes without saying...delicious!

[cheesymama]

So I have found an excuse to go to New market and pick some of these up while I'm there. I'll be going on Wednesday during the day. Anything else worthwhile either at MC or in the area?

[sumashi]

Smoked salmon from Milbree-Viking! I haven't made a trip up to Newmarket in a while but I miss their smoked salmon from when they were on Laird. Have they made their own smokehouse or are they still getting their supply from somebody else?

[kwass]

Yes. You have to get MC's apple tarts! They are off the hook!! An 11+ in deliciousness :) And make sure you eat a butter tart while it's still warm. It will be like nothing else you've ever had!!

[cheesymama]

I'm figuring a dozen for the freezer plus a few for consumption that day. And after reading your review of the apple tarts I will definitely get some of those too!

[kwass]

You must!! Did you place your order in advance? Because if you did, they'll bake the butter tarts especially for you, and then you can try one hot :)

[cheesymama]

I must agree, these are indeed the best buttertarts in the GTA! Thanks so much to everyone who recommended the Maid's Cottage.
I placed an order ahead of time (6 plain and 6 pecan), they weren't hot from the oven when I picked them up, maybe you just got lucky with your timing Kwass? While I was there I picked up 6 more assorted - 2 apple (they were fresh and warm from the oven), 1 raspberry, 1 blueberry and 2 raisin buttertarts.
I ate one of the apple tarts in the car before heading home, it was warm and would have cooled off by the time I got home! It was great and my favourite of the fruit tarts, the blueberry was nice but I would have preferred it a little sweeter, and the raspberry is in my freezer, some had to go in there or I would have spent the last half of the week finding excuses to eat tarts morning, noon and night!
But the buttertarts blew the fruit tarts out of the water. The pastry is perfect, the filing is sweet and gooey and just starts to ooze, but you don't have to worry about it running all over the place when you take a bite. My favourite were the plain, nothing interfering with the perfection, but I wouldn't turn any of them down!

[kwass]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed them!! They are without a doubt the best butter tarts in the gta. And, I also couldn't get over how good the apple tarts were. Next time I might have to get a dozen of those, in addition to the dozen butter tarts :)

[BlueTeam]

i know its not an option for purchase but the butter tarts at Maple Downs Country Club are quite fabulous. Even as part of a full dessert spread, they are all I go for.

[kwass]

Just ordered a dozen b tarts from MC. Going to make the trek on Tuesday :)

[justsayn]

It's a loooong ride back. You may want to order an extra few ; )

Did you stick with plain?

[kwass]

Funny!

I did stick with the plain, but I might get a pecan just to try, even though I'm not a big fan of nuts in my baked goods.

Since I'm going to be there, I wish I could pick up some for everybody.

[justsayn]

There isn't much pecan really, but the filling tastes different. The addition of nuts (crunch) may not stand out too much.

[kwass]

Ok. That's good to know.

[justsayn]

Worth a shot! : )

[kwass]

I'm definitely going to get one. Their fruit tarts look really good too, so I ordered an apple one to go with my b tarts :)

[pakmode]

I tried the butter tart at Detour Coffee in Dundas a few weeks ago. It was really good.

Very rich filling and a good shell able to hold in all the gooey goodness.

[Chester Eleganté]

Pics:

Maid's Cottage (optimal): https://www.foodspotting.com/reviews/... . The best quality ones will be actually from the shop.

below - Maid's (superb scones from Prince of Wales Hotel in NOTL in background), Hansen's Danish Pastries (they usually look better, actually)

[kwass]

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward taking a trip down to MC's and picking up a dozen, which I could keep in the freezer. I forget who wrote that it's $18.75/dozen vs $3/butter tart @ Pusateri's. And since I buy 2/week...lol...it makes sense. I wonder if I have to call in advance for that?

[sweetie]

I don't think you need to call ahead if you go on the weekend. I walked in and bought almost 2 dozen one day. the gentleman in front of me bought 1 dz,the lady after me got 6 and there were still plenty left.
I think they almost expect people to come stock up on the weekend. lol

[kwass]

Good to know! Thank you!!

[jl_1978]

I was the one that wrote that... I picked up 2 dozen on a Friday afternoon and there were tons left. It was $18.75/dozen all in vs $3.50+tax (~$4) at Pusateris... Like 60% cheaper.

[kwass]

That's quite a savings...definitely worth the trip out there!

[justsayn]

I was at Max's on Bloor West last night and discovered the full MC selection. They are 2.75 each. I picked the pecan and have to say I much prefer it over the sweetness of the raisin. It also doesn't have any flavour reminiscent of maple.

[kwass]

I don't remember, have you tried the plain jussayn?

[justsayn]

Not yet....gives me something to look forward to : )

[kwass]

You have to try the plain! They are so good!! Hopefully you won't find them to be too sweet!

[Ediblethoughts]

Just realized Phipps' aren't here. If you aren't stuck on them being liquidy, Phipps is worth tasting. The filling is soft and lovely--almost custard-like. And the crust of any of those types of pie are short-bread-like.

[kwass]

Hmmm...didn't know Phipps even made butter tarts.

[Ediblethoughts]

They have the black bottom pecan tarts, normal pecan and butter tarts without raisin. Probably others as well but those are the ones I've been interested in trying. The black bottom tarts are always disappointing (somehow never live up to their promising appearance for me) but the other two are delish.

[kwass]

I'm going to have to try them :) Thank you!

[Ediblethoughts]

Tell me what you think! Just talking about his has made me want to go get more... hmm..

[kwass]

Will do :)

[kwass]

I just went on Phipps' website and it doesn't mention "plain butter tarts". Before I go, I just wanted to make sure that they have them. Do they sell plain ones or only the "fancier" types?

[Ediblethoughts]

Well, technically they are "caramel butter tarts". So if caramel puts you off (such a thing never occurred to me which I guess shows my biases here..), then it's not technically "plain". (Phipps caramel sauce is verrrry tasty...)

[kwass]

Ok. You've convinced me. I'm going to try it. I'll report back once I have.

[jl_1978]

I just had Maid's Cottage for the first time and imo, it blows Phipps away... The only part of Phipps I thought was good was the crust.

[kwass]

Aren't Maid's Cottage the BEST butter tarts you've EVER had!! For me, since trying them, nothing comes close!! But I'm still willing to give Phipps a try.

[jl_1978]

Yeah, I don't remember ever having a better butter tart. For me, it'd be perfect if they made the shell a bit less deep or put a bit more filling in. The filling on the ones I bought only came 2/3 of the way up the crust so there was a bit too much crust for my tastes...
But Phipps I wasn't that impressed with even before eating these... I can't picture ever buying them again now =P

[kwass]

The crust is so good that I could never say that these butter tarts have too much crust. That being said, I agree with you that it would be nice if there was more filling. Either way, these butter tarts are unbeatable!!

[magic]

Fresh Harvest on Eglinton near Spadina (formerly Harvest Wagon) sells Maid's Cottage tarts for anyone interested.

[kwass]

They're everywhere :) I'm just so happy for this little mom and pop shop!!

[magic]

Yeah they're widespread now. Good for them!

[Full tummy]

Anywhere east of Bayview, south of York Mills?

[Ediblethoughts]

I think it depends on your taste; I don't like that maple flavour of MC. Too bad too because I can get them more easily than Phipps. I also find the crust too rich to take very often.

[kwass]

Are you sure that you tried Maid's Cottage Butter Tarts? Because I'm not a giant fan of maple flavoured butter tarts, and MC Butter Tarts most certainly don't have a maple flavour

[justsayn]

I FINALLY tried MC butter tarts today compliments of Pusateri's. Kwass, you really are the Butter Tart Tart!!! Excellent. What a crust! I didn't think about it while scarfing it down, but I didn't pick up on maple either. I also tried the pecan butter tart and think I preferred it by a hair or two. I am also in the camp wishing for more filling. But they were both very, very good! I need to try them warmed up....have you?

[kwass]

I'm so glad you liked them!! Aren't they the best!!

I've never tried them warmed up, as in putting them in the oven (if that's what you meant), but I always leave them out @ room temperature a few hours before I have one. When you do that, the filling is super runny, which is the way I like my butter tarts.

[justsayn]

Yes I think I will warm in the oven and serve to guests with vanilla ice cream this weekend. : )

[kwass]

OMG! That sounds delicious!

[justsayn]

I think that particular crust will be excellent with ice cream.

[kwass]

It really will. It will hold up nicely against the ice cream. You're one smart cookie justsayn!!

[justsayn]

Does that mean our next focus is on cookies - after all of these doughnuts and tarts????!!!! : )

If so, let's talk about those double chocolate chip cookies found at It'z a Wrap on Jefferson! Part meringue, part cookie, part brownie. Perfection. Similar to the chocolate walnut cookies at Harbord but not as thick. Need to do side by side.

[kwass]

I'm up for the cookie challenge!! Have you tried the peanut butter cookies from Le Gourmand? They are so good that I dream about them!! Also really like their oatmeal raisin...and of course the chocolate chip go without saying. But it's the peanut butter that I have constant cravings for :)

I will have to try the chocolate chip cookies from It'z a Wrap.

[justsayn]

I will get to LG and try the pb. Love pb cookies. My go-to pb is Wagamma because they are so buttery and peanuty and not too sugary. I think It'z a Wrap has both chocolate chip and double chocolate. I have only had the double because they are so perfect. Try the gingerbread cookies a couple doors over too. And in the opposite direction is Monforte cheese.

[kwass]

Love Gingerbread cookies. Do you remember the name of the bakery?

Wagamama is easy for me to get to, so I'm going to try their pb cookies soon. It'll be interesting to compare them to Le Gourmand's.

You know where we also have to try? Moo Milk Bar. Have you heard anything about it. All I know is that cookies is all that they sell.

[justsayn]

Mad Batter Bakers. They have a few types of cookies but specialize in Gingerbread. They have been around for years under the radar. I am not sure they are best gingerbread but they have a strong following.

[kwass]

justsayn, Should we start a new thread that's devoted exclusively to cookies?

[justsayn]

yes : )

go for it!

[Ediblethoughts]

Consider me distracted from butter tarts---where is Wrap on Jefferson? Tried a google and doesn't appear to be in Toronto?

[kwass]

It's called "It'z a Wrap". It's in Liberty Village.

[Ediblethoughts]

I was told the ones at Rachel's (which is the only location listed that I've been able to get to) are M's Cottage and I taste maple (I think someone here posted that they had that flavour?).

[kwass]

The ones @ Rachel's are M's Cottage, but they definitely don't have a maple flavour. Try them again.

[kwass]

The ones @ Rachel's are M's Cottage, but they definitely don't have a maple flavour. Try them again. It will be interesting to see if you taste maple again.

[Ediblethoughts]

I just read through the thread--and I think you, Kwass, said you tasted maple in the in a post up there?

I might try them again (maybe one butter and one pecan) to clarify this. Still, I love Phipps custard-like consistency. It's so smooth... though actually not still my ideal. But I haven't tried my ideal pecan tart in so long... I wonder if they make sugar pie in Toronto. That's pretty much a thick butter tart, isn't it?

[kwass]

The ones that I said had a maple flavour, are the ones from Cafe Belong. I also said that the pastry chef @ Andrea's Gerard Street Bakery (I think that's what it's called) used to work @ Cafe Belong, and since she took her recipe with her, her butter tarts also have a maple flavour.

[Ediblethoughts]

Oh, I see. Well, I'll try them again. But I bought several last time and that flavour I didn't quite adore was very noticeable (didn't bother me on the first one but my aversion grew). Still, will try again if only to pin down that taste!

[justsayn]

ET, if you can find the MC pecan butter tart, try that one as well as the raisin. It has a slightly different flavour profile through and through using the same crust.

[Ediblethoughts]

I did buy one today (and have bought them in the past but can't recall the exact flavour). Didn't try it tonight. I will do a taste comparison of the two tomorrow.

[kwass]

Yes. Please try them again, and report back. Would love to hear about your next experience.

[Ediblethoughts]

Bought them today. One word: maple!

I am going to call them at some point to confirm this because I swear---maaaaaple!

[kwass]

Wow! That is so strange. Because like I said earlier, I'm not a fan of maple butter tarts, and I looooove these. I've never tasted the maple in them!

[justsayn]

: ) I really love maple and didn't pick up on it. I ate it too fast though and was thinking most about the crust and the less than perfect amount of filling. I am serving them this weekend for belated VD dinner and will pay closer attention!

[kwass]

Justsayn, you have to try them again, and really concentrate...lol. Because I have never tasted maple in them, and I eat them every week.

[justsayn]

I will try them again for sure. Then we just have to email and ask. Because whether I taste maple or not, there will be the odd man out : P

If you want maple in your butter tart, you go to The White Squirrel.

[kwass]

OMG Baked Goods, Cafe Belong, and Andrea's Gerard St Bakery also make maple B Tarts.

And, yes, it will be interesting to find out for certain if there is, in fact, maple in MC Butter Tarts

[justsayn]

Picked up some MC raisin butter tarts to warm tonight with home-made ice cream.

I grabbed an extra one to try right away. It was more filled than last time and very good. I think the pecan butter tart is less sweet and will probably get that next time. I wish I had chosen them for tonight. I am planning to cut back on the sugar in the vanilla ice cream.

Because maple is a more subtle sweetness than just sugar, it really was tough to decide if it was present. If it is, it sure isn't adding much given how sweet these are in general. I thought I could maybe taste some maple but I wasn't sure if that wasn't just some baked raisin flavour. So while I appear to be sitting on the fence about this, if I had to guess, I would say no maple. Surely not enough to call them maple raisin butter tarts! I would never think maple had I not been trying so hard to taste it.

While a simple phone call could determine the answer, the bottom line is that it probably doesn't matter if its in there or not if some people taste it regardless.

[Ediblethoughts]

I don't think I've tried a maple butter tart--don't think I'd like it! I like maple on my pancakes but that's it. I think it's like if you don't like an ingredient, you notice even tiny amounts of it. If you like it, you are less likely to. Also, the Phipps ones have no hint of that, which I like.

I do intend to call (tried at one point but they were closed)...

[kwass]

I agree with you that you tend to notice things that you don't like. And like you, I only like maple on my pancakes and french toast. That's why I'm certain that these don't have maple in them, because I would taste it.

But one of us should definitely call, so that we can know definitively.

Justsayn, i can't wait to hear how the butter tarts were warmed with ice cream. It sounds sooooo yummy!!

[Ediblethoughts]

Well, I called and they say there is no maple syrup! So I'm confused but your taste buds are looking smart!

I'd like to know what they do use but she couldn't tell me that...

[kwass]

Thank you for settling this...and for complimenting my taste buds :)

[justsayn]

Maybe try the pecan and see if you still pick up on maple. I thought the raisins may have been triggering your tastes and that would rule it out. I tasted the crust separately as well as the topping and both definitely had no maple flavour. The raisins and filling had an extra flavour that I can only call baked raisin flavour. Thanks for reporting back!

[Ediblethoughts]

The pecan have less of that flavour for sure. I actually just tried Leah's and another brand at Pusateri's. Didn't mind the other one that has all the minis (though I didn't likeit enough to be sad I can't recall the name) but I didn't like Leah's at all. Goopy filling and crust was hard and too thin.

I also tried Cafe Belong's and while I like the inside, the outside is too heavy and comes off in awkward flakes.

I tell you, the more I try this stuff, the more I like Phipps.

[kwass]

I've always liked Leah's. But the other one that you're referring to is Bakerberry. And I agree, Bakerberry's butter tarts aren't particularly memorable.

[justsayn]

I saw the Bakerberry tarts at Pussateri too but they didn't interest me to try them because they looked so heavy and the machine made look turned me off.

The tarts at Pretty Sweet are the thin harder crust type but I thought they were quite good. Kwass, as the butter tart tart, you need to try the Pretty Sweet tarts and let us know how they stack up!

[kwass]

Everything you said about Bakerberry's is correct justsayn. They are heavy and taste like commercial butter tarts.

As for Pretty Sweet, I had every intention of going today. I even called on Friday to make sure that they would be open, and they said they would. Then when I called today, just to confirm that they were open, there was no answer. Actually, that's not entirely true, the fax machine kept answering the phone :(

[justsayn]

That's really too bad because they were open today. I guess they have the numbers listed wrong.

[kwass]

No way. I'm so disappointed now! I even double checked the # when I got the fax machine.

[kwass]

But I do plan on going. If not next week, the week after.

[justsayn]

kwass...grab your favourite vanilla ice cream and your favourite version of MC tarts. Heat up the tarts just so they are warmed and go to town with perhaps an espresso! It was decadent with constant oohs and ahhs. One person thought we could have mixed the tarts into the ice cream but most prefered having the warm tart. Pecan next time and then I will add toasted pecans over top!!!

[kwass]

That sounds soooo good!! I'm definitely going to try it. I also love your friend's idea about mixing the tarts into the ice cream. That would be off the hook!!

[jl_1978]

So I just bought 2 dozen butter tarts from Maid's Cottage. After paying $14+tax for 4 of them at Pusateri's earlier in the week, I felt like I was stealing them at $18.75/dozen including tax lol...

[kwass]

You know, that's a good idea. They're shipped to Pusateri's frozen anyway, so why not? And you're right, the price that Pusateri's sells them for is ridiculous.

And maybe you'd be willing to weigh in on our argument over whether they have a maple flavour. So far 2 (myself included) say no, and 1 says yes. Would love to hear your thoughts :)

[justsayn]

OH but hang on! : )

I still need to take the taste challenge in order to decide Maple or no Maple!

[kwass]

Sorry justsayn, you're right!! I was thinking about the 1st part of your comment, where you said that you didn't taste maple, but then you qualified it by saying that you ate it really quickly, and was too focused on the "deliciousness" of the crust. My mistake :)

[justsayn]

LOLOLOL

[kwass]

;)

[justsayn]

That reflection coming back at me really cracked me up!

[kwass]

Glad I could put a smile on your face!!

[jl_1978]

Well I guess this has been answered, but I was just about to write that I didn't notice maple either... I normally like maple though, so if there was a small amount, I probably wouldn't have noticed anyways. I also agree that it may be the raisins that are giving that impression.

[rosieintoronto]

I haven't been yet, BUT- there is a new place that opened on the Queensway called Tartistry: http://tartistry.ca and they are meant to have amazing butter tarts.

I'm going to try them soon because I also love butter tarts and find most in the city are lacking. I see on their website you can get plain tarts, or ones with pecan, walnut, raisin or raspberry. I also find the addition of raisin unacceptable, my favourite is a plain old tart.

--
Rosie
http://mytorontoscoop.com

[duckdown]

Kate's Town Talk Bakery in Streetsville does a really good butter tarts, they are what the bakery is known for. Some of the other stuff has only been "OK" though.

[justsayn]

Those who need to try every version out there - Thor has a bourbon butter tart. Thick pie crust type pinched all the way up to make the sides and a sticky thick interior. Not a personal fave but I can see why people would like them.

[justsayn]

White Squirrel also has a version with a hint of maple syrup. It is a very tender crust and runny-ish centre. Quite good.

[kwass]

Bourbon Butter Tart? Hmmm, sounds interesting.

[justsayn]

Butter Tart Tart you ; )

[Ediblethoughts]

That sounds like something I want to try. I've never heard of Thor's.. anywhere else other than 35 Bathurst St.?

[justsayn]

Well they are brought in so I am sure other places must carry them. I don't recall the name of their current supplier but they openly share it to those who ask.

[prima]

The buttertart at Rachel's Coffee House is quite good. Filling is more thick than runny (texture might be a little too thick for some people), but the pastry is the flakiest and most buttery I've found. Available with currants or pecans. http://www.rachelscoffeehouse.ca/

[kwass]

The butter tarts that are sold @ Rachel's are from the Maid's Cottage. They can be found @ Pusateri's as well. And in terms of the filling being thick, if they're left @ room temperature, they become extremely runny!

[millygirl]

I've heard very good things about Andrea's Bakery butter tarts. Not tried them myself YET. Almost afraid to. LOL

[kwass]

My understanding is that Andrea used to bake @ Cafe Belong. So, if you've tried the Butter Tarts from there, they're exactly the same. The crust is like a pastry crust, and the filling is runny, with a caramelized topping. They almost have a maple flavour...not your run-of-the-mill butter tart, but very good all the same.

[millygirl]

Ahh interesting. I did not know this, and I've not tried Belong's tarts.

I'm not a huge butter tart fan but this post is giving me a severe craving for them.

On a side note, we had brunch at Belong and we're pretty disappointed so nice to know there are some good things there. We must have made the wrong choices.

[kwass]

I haven't tried the food @ Cafe Belong, only the baked goods, which are to die for. Butter tarts are great, but nothing beats their scones.

For butter tarts though, if it's between Cafe Belong and Maid's Cottage, I'd go for the Maid's Cottage, which as previously mentioned, can be purchased from Pusateri's and Rachel's. However, even though they both carry Maid's Cottage Butter Tarts, Pusateri's seems to have more of a variety (plain, currant, raisin, and pecan).

[Ediblethoughts]

Tried these today! They are lovely. Maybe a tad more maple flavour than I favour but I quibble. They are great. And very convenient!

[kwass]

So you tasted the maple as well. Good to know I'm not crazy! Did you try them @ Cafe Belong or @ Andrea's?

[callitasicit]

I just picked up some Maid's Cottage butter tarts. I haven't had anything better than these.

[kwass]

I know!!! Butter tarts are my passion (well doughnuts too, but that's for another time...lol), and I've tried tons of different butter tarts, and IMO the Maid's Cottage are THE BEST...bar none!!!

[Ediblethoughts]

Rachel's. I had another one tonight and while I appreciate the buttery pastry, I think I prefer a pecan pie (or tart) that is less liquidy and a bit thicker (but still gooey).

[justsayn]

Then you may enjoy the bourbon butter tart at Thor

[travelstochow]

The absolute best buttertarts are from from the buttertart lady that sells them from the back of her van at the Muskoka area farmer's markets. I've seen her regularly at the Gravenhurst farmer's market. Come early - she always sells out. Flaky pastry, raisins or no raisins - reasonably priced - hands down the best.

[Chester Eleganté]

Been on a butter tart kick, or more accurately, pecan tart. These have been my faves

Maid's Cottage, Newmarket - in good condition, the pecan would take the top spot so far. Crust is more than adequate, and the filling a has deep flavour that stands out. Variably gooey to a little liquidy. Currant and raisin versions make it too sweet. $2.35 at the store ($2/each in higher #s), $3.50 at various shops around the city (Pusateri, Nortown, Sue's, For the love of cake, etc). People go kinda crazy over these babies.

All the Best Fine Foods - extra rich, buttery, golden brown crust. Lovely solid filling with plenty of pecans. Comes in a square tart or in a larger size cut square. Good sweetness level. Has been my go-to for awhile but Maid's just edges it. ~$2.50

Hansen's bakery - smaller, with a softer lighter crust, sometimes a little too much crust, but still a really strong pecan solid filling. Almost always happy with these. They have the store on Pape but I go to the York Farmers market location in Thornhill. $1.65

Leah's - have enjoyed these for awhile but the last time it was pretty pedestrian. At Pusateri, ~$2.75

Still need to try Circle & Squares and Cafe Belong, among others. Mad Michael's and Elmvale's were pretty forgettable, unfortunately.

pics: All the Best

[sweetie]

I second Maid's Cottage.
I have heard great things about Flaky Tart, still have not tried it yet.

[Ediblethoughts]

Which tart is the most sticky, gooey? I don't like gelatinous or liquidy... Newmarket is a bit far for me but ATB is do-able...

[Ediblethoughts]

The pecan tarts ARE different than the chocolate pecan! The pastry is better---almost as good as Phipps... hmmm. I will go back. (They are also better when they are heated.)

[prima]

Nice photos. I tried to sample the ATB version, but they were sold out when I went.

The last couple butter tarts I've bought (outside TO) have had too much crust, and a crust that's too dense or heavy for my taste. I'd love to find a butter tart in a flaky pasteis de nata-type crust.

Bannock has their $8 Canoe Fireweed Butter Tart on their dessert menu. I thought it was pretty good, for a new school butter tart.
http://www.oliverbonacini.com/OliverB...

[hadra]

Thanks for the notes and the photos! I am looking forward to trying Maid's Cottage in Newmarket and All the Best Fine Foods (is that the place at Yonge & Marlborough?).

I believe I've found my fave butter tarts (so far!), at the Danish Pastry Shop on Pape (be sure to ask for the old fashioned ones, not the ones in the tins), $1.65 each. The pastry is gorgeously soft, a little on the sweet side, reminiscent of a butter cookie. Although not my traditional choice, this pastry is handled so deftly and confidently that I can suspend my doubts and just enjoy. But it’s the filling that’s the real star – rich and buttery, its sweetness controlled with a hint of salt, and pleasingly plump raisins. Plus, it oozes perfectly.

I've tried Circles & Squares butter tarts at Dark Horse Espresso bar and they were ok, but not great.

Cheers,
buttertartbliss

[kwass]

Since I've started eating the butter tarts from the Maid's Cottage, I can't eat butter tarts from anywhere else. IMO these butter tarts are head and shoulders above any other butter tarts I have tried. I used to love Leah's, but again, haven't eaten them since I started eating the ones from the Maid's Cottage. Summherill Market makes good b tarts, but they're more like a cross between cake and a butter tart. They're different but delicious, but no comparison to the Maid's Cottage.

And you should try Cafe Belong. They're quite good, but seem more like a maple butter tart than a traditional butter tart.

[cheesymama]

Just an FYI for anyone considering making a trip to Hansen's on Pape, they are closed for the month of Jan and will reopen on Tuesday Feb 5th.
I agree these are really good buttertarts (the old fashioned ones). And they are located very close to Folia Grill, so for any hounds making a special trip to the area you can kill 2 birds with one trip!

[Chester Eleganté]

edible - ATB should fit the best. Try Hansen's as well. As mentioned, you don't have to go all the way to Newmarket to try Maid's, although crust quality may be affected if kept refrigerated for too long at the other places. It's also a deeper tart with plenty of filling. I find it's enough to split one, as it does run sweet.

primo- there's always next time...

hadra - actually, we're speaking of the same place: Hansen's is the Danish Pastry Shop. You've described them well -- the salt tempers it just right. Also, the texture between the crust and filling is fairly close, so it has this nice effect of all melding together. I also find it better if you bake this one at low heat, or even let it sit in residual oven heat.

kwass - same for me, Leah's has been pushed more on the backburner. But I still go for the Hansen's more often (at less than half the price of MC).

cmama - thanks for the tip. Hansen's Danish has lots of other goodies to try - cream buns, small almond kringle, chelsea buns, eccles cakes, sausage rolls, meat pies etc.
And certainly a great followup to Folia.

[Ediblethoughts]

I bought a pie from ATB and yes, it was very good. I re-read some of the posts but I can't seem to find the instructions on how to eat the Maid's Cottage pie without going to Newmarket!

I have Hansen on my list now.

[Chester Eleganté]

Maid's can be found at Pusateri, Nortown Promenade, Sue's (R.Hill), Rachel's, For the Love of Cake (Liberty Village)..I'm sure there's more. You've found them though, that's good.

[kwass]

Buy them @ Pusateri's all the time, and I knew that Rachel's carried them, but I didn't know that Nortown Promenade carried them. Good to know. Thanks Chester!

[Chester Eleganté]

I think at Concord as well.

[kwass]

Concord as well? Great to know! Thank you!!

[Ediblethoughts]

So I tried some of the Hansen's. I didn't quite love them and I'm not sure if the reason might be freshness. Clearly, the store closes without clearing out their stock every day. Just wondering how long they sit there...

Also, as a point of interest, I tried C & S a couple weeks ago and was not impressed.

I am thinking of warming up Hansen's and see how much more impressive they might be... also, they have the chocolate chip variety which I LOVE most of the time.

[fryerlover]

New tart place on Queensway near Kipling called tartistry. They have a website....I think it's tartistry.ca. Have not been, so cannot comment further.

[hadra]

Looks promising, fryerlover, thanks! I'm definitely going to add it to my list of places to check out!

[rosieintoronto]

I just saw on their website that on Tuesdays, you get a free coffee when you buy a tart or square

I have high hopes for this place-- they look like they mean business about buttertarts

[fryerlover]

Anyone coming from the east (hint, hint kwass), can hit this place up on the way to or from Mickey's pizza. Just a thought.

[kwass]

You're so funny fryerlover. Is that the place that sells antiques as well? I don't know, but there's something weird about that to me ;)

[fryerlover]

It is the place that sells antiques. I thought it was odd myself, although after going in It feels like you're in a little pastry shop in cottage country.

[kwass]

Hmmm...interesting. I'll definitely try and check it out :) Thanks fryerlover!!

[rosieintoronto]

I was there yesterday and bought half dozen tarts. The plain buttertart was pretty much perfect. My mom, who is a major buttertart aficionado, also declared it a top tart. It's really sweet in there, lots of lovely antiques and knick-knacks, and people were sitting and enjoying coffee. Here are a bunch of pics: http://bit.ly/10TZP7e
I loved how she wrote the names of my tarts on the box- it was such a nice touch!

[Dr Butcher]

Buttertarts N More in Little Britain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkmZJi...

[kwass]

Where on earth did you find that video? And where exactly is Little Britain?

[Dr Butcher]

I drive by it all the time on the way to the cottage and was looking to see what people had said about it. Up popped the video in my search. It must be obscure if it had only 145 views....

Little Britain is about 10-15 minutes southwest of Lindsay. If you blink you'll miss it and another fave, The Spudster. Both on opposite sides of the town's only stoplight.

http://thespudster.com/Home_Page.php

[kwass]

Too funny!

[jammy]

The Sweet Oven in Barrie makes tasty tarts. In fact, that's all they make and they do it well. Just off the Mapleview exit on hwy 400, west of the highway in the Harveys/Swiss Chalet plaza area.

[kwass]

I've heard about this place. I have to make a trip out there to try them.

[hadra]

I just made the 90-minute drive out to Little Britain to finally try Butter Tarts 'n More after wanting to go there for years (they were always closed when we drove by). Frankly, I was really disappointed by the butter tarts after hearing so much about this place. The filling had a sharp, almost vinagary taste that we found off-putting. The pastry was delicate, but almost too soft. The pastry actually crumbled when we picked up the heavier fruit tarts (which otherwise were quite good, especially the raspberry and raspberry coconut). Thankfully, the decadent Chelsea Buns that we brought home were actually worth the drive. The long line-up behind us just before closing told us this place was popular, but most of the people were buying pies, pizza buns and something called a veggie bun.

[kwass]

The best butter tarts, IMHO, are from the Maid's Pantry on Main Street in Newmarket. And as luck would have it, the stars must be aligned, because Pusateri's has been selling them for about 6 weeks now...Yay!!!

[ylsf]

If you want to try some of the butter tarts in Toronto there is a food event at the Drake tonight:

http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/happening...

I went to a past event, food sampling was free, but you could buy drinks and other food. Would have liked to go tonight so if anyone goes please post results :)

[cheesymama]

Thanks for posting about this, I never would have known about it otherwise.
Hubby and I went last night and left in a sugar coma! There were 7 different butter tarts to try, apparently there were supposed to be 8, but one didn't show up. I really should have brought something to take notes with, I don't remember all of the 'competitors'.
The tasting was blind, so I really focused on keeping track of which was which since they provided small plates and you had to stack them up to get them all. There were tons of samples available (all free) and you could go back for seconds if you wanted.
My favourite tarts were from Flaky Tart, traditional with raisins, and I think from Bestellen, a mini buttertart with with blueberries (cultivated I think, because I couldn't be certain that they were blueberries until the bakers and their tarts were revealed). There was also a buttertart with bacon, peaches and bourbon, the bacon offered a little relief from all of the sugar I had had, but I didn't detect any peaches. That one was DH's first choice.
After all of the votes were counted they awarded second place to the pastry chef from ACC who made her grandmother's butter tart recipe with wild blueberries. Personally I found the tart too fruity to be a butter tart, after a bite my first reaction was that it wasn't a butter tart but some kind of hybrid. The winner was the butter tart from Bestellen, once again with blueberries. Now this was one of my favourites, but the blueberries were not discernible in the tart. As I said above, I think they were cultivated and so not as flavourful as wild, and they just sat at the bottom of the tart.
All of the other tarts were pretty traditional. One was a mini tart with toasted walnuts on top, 2 had no additions. Sorry I can't remember all of the bakers associated with each tart. Hopefully another hound was there who has a better memory than I do!
It was a really fun evening and I would definitely go back for another Monday night food night there.
Next week is all about wild blueberries, sweet, savoury and alcoholic!

[Degustation]

For a different twist, Xococava has a chai buttertart with cranberries. Gooey, not too sweet center with a hint of chai flavour and tart cranberries in a nice, light flakey crust.

[buttertart]

I am sorry but whoever thought this up should be taken before the World (Buttertart) Court.

[prima]

ha ha.

The best buttertart I've had in recent memory was a rhubarb buttertart at Calories in Saskatoon! Not a conventional buttertart, but it was tasty, with a perfect gooey but runny filling, and best commercial bakery crust I've found, and the ideal filling:crust ratio for my taste (mostly filling, with a crust that's on the thin side)

re: other atrocities committed against buttertarts.
I still have to try the chocolate-dipped buttertart I noticed being advertised on Hwy 4 near London, ON a while back.

re: conventional buttertarts
I still have All the Best's buttertarts on my to-try list. They didn't have any in stock last time I visited.

[Nux2]

Okay, this might belong before the World Buttertart Court, but I've had delicous pinenut butter tarts at Bakerbots Baking (around Ossington & Bloor). The pinenuts add a slightly smoky taste that is very enjoyable against the sweetness of the tart.

She makes regular butter tarts, and I'm a fan. I have to add, though, I'm no expert in this field of research ;) I'd be curious to hear what the experts have to say.

(just so you don't discount my opinion altogether, I am a pie crust expert though and hers are out of this world)

[buttertart]

Pine nuts are good in pretty much anything. I'll let this one pass.

[rstuart]

Near Ossington and Bloor, you say? I will have to visit..

[kwass]

I just tried the butter tarts from Summerhill Market, and OMG...they're out of this world!! They're actually maple butter tarts, and they're like nothing I've ever tried before. Definitely not your traditional butter tart. I'm going to try my best to describe them. Here goes...you know how normally a butter tart is either runny or solid, well these are neither. They're actually chewy. The crust is like a really flaky pie crust. And while with a normal butter tart the filling sits within a reservoir formed by the crust, this one is sort of mixed in with the crust. It's almost as if the filling is poured over the crust and becomes a part of the crust as opposed to the crust holding the filling. As the filling is poured onto the crust, it caramelizes and becomes this glorious chewy rendition of a butter tart. A must try!!

[CNW2000]

The Restaurant at Osgoode Hall has a butter tart on their dessert menu...self-described as "the best".

Had the others I was dining with not been swooning over theirs, it's not something I would have ordered on my own. It was fantastic. I'm no expert in all things butter tart, but this one had a shortbread-like crust, with a filling that wasn't *too* sweet.

-----
Osgoode Hall
130 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N6, CA

[current]

A friend of mine who grew up near Peterborough insists that 'real' butter tarts are made with currants.
Anyone know where to find them?

[Yongeman]

There are plenty of references to 'authentic' butter tarts, but here's an example: http://www.food.com/recipe/award-winning-butter-tarts-14756
Your friend's mom/grandmother obviously made them with currants, but that's not the only 'authentic' way to make them. My mom made them with raisins. My family wasn't fond of currants.
Here's Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter_tart

[Flexitarian]

Hmmm, I think the best thing is to contact the Official Authorized Butter Tart Certification Commitee as they have all the guidelines on which of the millions of different butter tarts recipe is the actual real official one (similar to, you know, the 'Champagne' district of France, the 'San Marzano' district of Italy, etc). It's the only way we will really know...

[Yongeman]

Not necessary, Flexitarian...I'm a self-appointed member.

[buttertart]

My mom made hers with currants because my dad didn't like raisins.

[Wahooty]

Not in Toronto, but they do ship...found this place en route to a wedding up north this summer:

http://algonquingourmetbuttertarts.com/

I tried three varieties and found them all quite lovely. I would classify them as gooey, rather than runny, which is my preference. And they have good coffee.

[wano]

Summerhill Market has great butter tarts, with pecans or without, with raisins or without. Get the ones that are 6 in box about $10. Don't get the smaller ones with the flutted edges that are about $7.

-----
Summerhill Market
446 Summerhill Ave, Toronto, ON M4W, CA

[kwass]

Are they good enough to spend the $$ to have them delivered?

[Wahooty]

I guess that depends on how much they charge for shipping. If I were living in TO, I'd probably just go to Flaky Tart when I get the buttertart craving, but if you want to buy in bulk or try lots of flavors, it might be worth your while. If, however, you are ready to try me in the International Buttertart Court for trying and liking an apricot buttertart, it might not be the place for you. ;)

[Ediblethoughts]

Flaky Tart has an apricot butter tart?

[Wahooty]

No, Algonquin does. Among many other flavors.

[Ediblethoughts]

I see. Pity I am rarely ever there. Definitely would like to try apricot BT...

[fryerlover]

I had a great buttertart about 4 years ago at Tatsu's Bread on Lakeshore Blvd. in Longbranch. I'm not much of a buttertart person (I prefer salty treats), however they did taste great.

http://tatsusbread.com/

-----
Tatsu's Bread
3180 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M8V, CA

[ec787]

Try the buttertarts at Cafe Belong down at the Brickworks. They're the best buttertarts I've ever found.

[justsayn]

I have heard the same!!!

[Bigtigger]

A very tasty buttertart at a medium price point is found at the San Remo Bakery. on Royal York a few blocks S of the Kingsway, Etobicoke. While you're there, grab an apple fritter or two - out of this world!

-----
Kingsway Restaurant
510 Ferguson Ave, Haileybury, ON P0J1K0, CA

[hadra]

The butter tarts at San Remo are quite good, about 8/10. We stumbled on them by surprise (would not have gone looking for a good butter tart in an Italian bakery/gelateria/deli) and could tell by looking at them that they had potential! We each ate one in the cafe and they were good enough to take two more home.

[jlunar]

These are really good. The crust is phenomenal. Filling is running. Short-looking tart though, vs the traditional butter tart look.

[kwass]

Is Cafe Belong open on Sundays?

[jlunar]

yep. 7 days a week. But they do sell out, so if you're going only for the tart, call ahead.

[kwass]

Will do! Thank you for the tip!!

[magic]

The best butter tarts I've had so far are at The Real Estate Cafe, on Hwy. 93 in Waverly (near Elmvale/Midland). Several different varieties, including strawberry butter tarts.

Oh baby. These things are insane. Every summer I look forward to them. For any Mad Michael's fans it is only a few minutes drive from there.

http://www.therealestatecafe.ca/

[MargieEv]

I love the butter tarts at Willowtree Farms, Port Perry. Nice and runny with lots of raisins. They also have them with nuts.

[chefhound]

I just had a butter tart at Bobette and Belle. Ok, these butter tarts are a bit fancy, not so homey, but the flavour is amazing. The salt-sweet balance is perfect. The main problem is that the ratio of crust to filling is not good. The crust is too thin for the amount of filling. But who cares when the flavour is so good?

[hungryabbey]

oh sounds like my kind of "problem". I dont like crust anyways!!

[torontojoe]

Okay, it's time to bring this thread back to where it began: in Haliburton at the Ingoldsby Junction Buttertart Cafe. We have a cottage 10 minutes away, and I can honestly say that I've tried BT's from countless sources and I still haven't found their equal. Everyone always has their own personal favourites, so I'm sure there are a lot of other little places tucked away across cottage country, but you cannot go wrong with a few of these gems. I love that you can go traditional (with or without raisons) or avant garde with coconut, choc chips, nuts, etc. - a taste for every palate.

-----
Ingoldsby Junction Buttertarts
Highland St, Dysart and Others, ON K0M, CA

[Armack]

Last night at dinner a friend mentioned that they had gotten a butter tart at Celena's at Woodbine & Danforth. The word he used was heavenly.

I'm going to stop in on the way home and see for myself but that is one hell (ha!) of a description!

[Yongeman]

Looking forward to the results of your investigation, Armack. Although I haven't tried many of the above, the Flaky Tart butter tart is my personal choice.

-----
Flaky Tart
711 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[Armack]

I wasn't able to make it in until today. They had three varieties, plain, with raisins, and with both raisins and pecans, but not one with just pecans which I found a little strange. Since I detest raisins I had the plain and it was delicious. I'm not sure about 'Heavenly', but I think my expectations might have been set a little high from hearing that.

I would have liked the crust to be a little more flaky. As it was, it reminded me a little of shortbread. The filling was two very distinct layers. The top half was thick and nicely set while the bottom half was runny, like warm maple syrup. I'm not sure if that was by design or not. All in all, it was a tasty butter tart and I would happily return.

Next time I'm up Mount Pleasant way I'll check out this Flaky Tart you speak of... :)

-----
Flaky Tart
711 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[TorontoJo]

Flaky Tart butter tarts are my favourite. I prefer to ask for mine without raisins (you have to call in advance for that, though). Awesome runny filling, fabulous flaky crust. I also love the pecan tarts, as the pecans offset the sweetness just a little.

-----
Flaky Tart
711 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[Yongeman]

Ha ha, let's not restart the raisin/no raisin controversy, TorontoJo. My mother, famous for her butter tarts in my family, always put raisins in hers. Me too.

[TorontoJo]

Heh, no controversy here, just personal preference. :)

Just wanted to let people know that they can order without if they so choose. But really, a good butter tart, whether with or without raisins, is a thing of beauty!

[susan_e_webb]

Hello, butter tart lovers; is there room for more?

If you don't mind driving into Durham Region, try MacMillan Orchards Ltd. in Ajax, at 733 Kingston Road East (on the south side, just west of Lakeridge Road). Delicious, square-shaped butter tarts by the half-dozen...plain, with raisins or with pecans. Mmm - worth the drive!

[callitasicit]

How much are they each and do they sell anything else other than butter tarts?

[hungryabbey]

Yes, they do. They have amazing selection of frozen fruit and veggies.. they also have lots of frozen "meals".. like casseroles, cabbage rolls, mac and cheese, lasagnas, steaks, other meats etc... also have frozen yogurt etc.

[callitasicit]

Thanks for the info:)

[hungryabbey]

http://www.macmillanorchards.com/

[callitasicit]

Wow, that was quick. I just edited my reply because I found it as well. Thanks again!

[susan_e_webb]

Thanks, hungryabbey, for providing the MacMillans link! The tarts are just $4.95/half dozen; also look for their "homegrown" honey at $9.95/kilo and honeycomb pieces for $5.95 (I just dug out a recent receipt). Lots of maple syrup and preserves too. Fill up that gas tank and let's go! :-)

[Armack]

I tried to take advantage of my guy's NBA playoff stupor and mentioned that I had tried Celena's butter tarts with out him. Wouldn't you know it? he was actually listening. This of course meant that I had to go again (tough life, I know) yesterday. Here are some pictures I took. They're taken with an iPhone so they're not great but it captures the runny inside pretty well.

[Yongeman]

Oh, those look really good, Armack.

[kwass]

I have to agree!! Flaky Tart butter tarts are the bomb!!

[hadra]

Celina's offers a decent butter tart, with a buttery, rich filling that runs (a bit too much) all over the plate, good number of plump raisins. Pastry is buttery, but too thick for my liking (wrong filling:crust ratio). Looks pretty, but isn't perfect.

[kwass]

Does she make any without raisins?

[SocksManly]

Best butter tarts I've had - and you can get them with or without raisins - was at Ma Maison, across from Bruno's on Dundas near Royal York. I think they were $2.50 each, and incredible.

-----
Ma Maison
4243 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M8X, CA

[tiinaveer]

No way! That's right near my mom, I will have to check it out, thanks!

[belrigirl]

Hi, I read all of your posts and have a special request. I am an American who was transplanted to Canada (very happily), when I was 14. I went to Islington Collegiate Institute outside of Toronto. Our school careteria made the best butter tarts I ever tasted anywhere. The whole student body stood in line on Wednesdays to get them. They had buttery, fall-apart sort of crust and the inside was buttery and slightly runny with golden raisins. They were served warm right out of the oven. I have tried every recipe I can find and have not been able to duplicate the taste. Does anyone have a recipe like this or do you know of a bakery in Canada that will ship them to me? I guess I should mention that I was there from 1957 through 19 61, so these were old-fashioned butter tarts like Grandma used to make. All the food in our school cafeteria was made daily on-site in those days and it was incredible. It made it very difficult to stay slim. On another topic, I have been craving another Toronto favorite, which I also cannot find, the large crumpets from Loblaw's or Weston's, not sure which, but they were huge and had tons of holes. Can someone tell me if they still make those and sell them up there? They were about 5" in diameter and way better than the small mushy packaged ones you can buy in the States today. I am not sure of exactly how to describe the consistancy but I think it was more yeasty. The holes went all the way through the crumpet. If there is anyone out there that knows what I am talking about please reply. Thanks.

[buttertart]

If you're still looking, here's a link to my dear departed mom's recipe, which must date from around that time, since I do...not from T.O. but London, ON.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7917...

[Attknee]

How about The Sweet Oven in Barrie? Tucked into a small mall in the midst of many big ones just south of Barrie, butter tarts are all that they make. They even have a menu telling the customer what flavours are made on which day.

[Whats_For_Dinner]

I've had these and they're excellent. Really runny, though, so make sure that's what you're into.

Westside Fish & Chips in Huntsville, in addition to HEAVENLY coconut cream pie, makes really great butter tarts. Honestly, skip the fish & chips and just have dessert for dinner. I'm not kidding.

Marty's are very good, too; firmer than The Sweet Oven, but all things considered I like The Sweet Oven's better.

[millsem]

Nothing compares to the sweet oven tarts, nothing! it's all they do - hands down the most tender pastry; and while the filling it runny, it punches you in the face with it's buttery-ness. And there are many surprisingly successful flavours! http://www.thesweetoven.com/

[TeacherFoodie]

Sweet Oven butter tarts are amazing! My faves are coconut and pecan. I'm hoping to try the skor bit and the chai ones at some point.

[pipling]

I have joined the cult. These really are as good as everybody says they are. I wouldn't say they are all that runny, more in the ooey-gooey category, you take a bite and it oozes over your fingers, but there is some body to the filling. Perfect crust, light and flaky. Simply devine.

Anybody want to speculate on the corn syrup/butter/sugar ratio in these?

[TeacherFoodie]

Not sure if you already aware, but you can specify when you order if you want "runny" or not.

[tiinaveer]

GOOD BUTTER TARTS IN TORONTO:
Danish Bakery (Pape north of Mortimer)
Flaky Tart (Mt. Pleasant south of Eglinton)

GOOD BUTTER TARTS IN ERIN, ON:
Holtom's Bakery

BEST BUTTER TARTS, NEAR KIRKLAND LAKE, ON:
Kenogami Kitchen (the ladies who are famous bakers from Bourkes Falls)

-----
Flaky Tart
711 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[hungryabbey]

really? the danish bakery! yay something nearby to try!!!

[cheesymama]

Just be sure to try the homestyle (I think that's what they're called). They have 2 types and the ones in the foil cups aren't worth it but the other ones are!

[hungryabbey]

okay, perfect.

[Full tummy]

Let us know what you think of them! I might have to make a trip over!!!

[hungryabbey]

I meant to post about this a while ago. I tried the buttertarts. Ha, I had anxiety when I got there b/c I couldnt remember if you said to have the ones in foil cups, or NOT have the ones in foil cups. So I used my blackberry to search CH as I stood in line. haha. They were pretty good, not as good as Flaky Tart, but better than most Ive had in the neighbourhood.

-----
Flaky Tart
711 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[MeMeMe]

Was just in Gravenhurst - we went to "The Bakery" and yes - these are insanely decadent treats. Very oozy - not like pecan pie. (everything at this bakery is amazing...)

[tochowchick]

So, I'm watching Breakfast TV on Friday...they were in Gravenhurst for the start of the long weekend...a guy shows up with his "world famous" butter tarts...Marty...from Marty's in Bracebridge...

Does anyone have any experience with these tarts...they looked pretty yummy but appearances can be deceptive...
Thx

[runsforfood]

IMHO, they are **fabulous**!! In fact, I was in BB over the weekend and came home with a 6-pack of them! They are huge, quite runny, and have lemon zest in the pastry and in the filling. I'd suggest you try if you get the chance!

[tochowchick]

Thanks...love the idea of the lemon zest...will stop in soon...

[Juniper88]

The best butter tarts are at the Inglewood General Store (near Caledon, on McLaughlin Road, just north of Olde Baseline Road) -- they taste even better after biking the 50 km from Toronto to get there. (The store also sells very yummy ice cream -- caramel cheesecake is awesome -- and makes yummy sandwiches!)

[Pistolpete]

Just got back from Inglewood and holy cow these butter tarts were some of the best I have ever had. We asked who made them and the disinterested girl behind the counter grunted...I dont know, some lady around here. Definitely worth the drive to Inglewood. Pretty area too!

[phoenikia]

The butter tarts at Leah's Home Baking at 621 St. Clair W near Christie are good. Close second to Wanda's Pie in the Sky version in my books, but then again, I only buy/eat buttertarts a couple times a year.

Large tarts, light on the very flaky pastry, but filled with lots of buttery, gooey filling. $2.75 each.

No raisins or nuts in these buttertarts, although she also makes a chocolate pecan tart that looks pretty decadent!

[hadra]

As one of the many people who continue to hunt for the best butter tart, I've not found anything to rival Little Tub Bakery in Tobermory, until yesterday. Betty's Pies & Tarts, on Hwy 2 between Cobourg and Port Hope, is a serious contender. At $1.25 ea, they offer a delicious filling (just runny enough and very buttery) encased in pastry that is quite good. I'm not sure if I like them better than Little Tub's legendary tarts, but they're not a four-hour drive away!

http://maps.boomtrek.ca/port-hope/100...

[tsertic]

I'm just going to add a fantastic BT experience at the Pumpkin Patch. It's just too bad that it's seasonal. It's in Vaughan. I think they came to $1 each. There were multiple flavours. Pecans were nice and crunchy, filling was thick, could taste the butter.

http://www.southbrookpumpkinpatch.com/

[TorontoTips]

Hey Gang,
Another great butter tart (as well as pecan tart, apple-pecan tart, etc. and gorgeous chicken and tyrkey pot pies) is just north-east of the city in Goodwood at Annina's Bakery at 300 Hwy #47 - 905-640-0691.

I'm told they have a serious mail-order business all over the world for their pies, and they make a nice cup of coffee if you want to sit and enjoy one and save your car the crumbs and sticky spots - let's be honest, they aren't ALL gonna make it home, are they?

Two words of warning:
1 - everything here is EXPENSIVE, but super-high quality. Love their family-size (10inch?) turkey-stuffing-veg-gravy pie that tastes like thanksgiving, but costs $20
2 - I am from the non-runny camp, preferring the chewy caramel that results where the sugary filling meets the pastry edge, especially if it boils over and escapes down the side of the pastry before it stiffens into sticky candy caramel bliss :-)

[MontessoriChild]

Best butter tarts are made by "Norma" - they start to ooze delicious, sinful goodness the minute you bite into them. Don't try to eat them without a plate underneath!

She uses unbleached flour, butter and maple sugar instead of cane sugar. Available with or without raisins. All her ingredients are organic.

Cost? $2.50 each or 4 for $9.

The catch is that she attends farmers' markets around the city so they're not available in stores. I usually catch her at the Yonge/Eg (off Edith, behind the Memorial Centre) market on Thursdays, 3-7 pm. She also makes and sells amazing fruit tarts using fruit in season (right now it's sour cherry - bliss).

[maple99]

I have discovered the perfect butter tart, unfortunately far from Toronto. It was at the Busy Bee Restaurant in Temagami. Pastry was light and flaky, filling neither too runny nor too firm and super sweet, and you could choose to have raisins or pecans or neither.

[John M]

I would like to put in a good word for Dar's Delights in Moffat. I'm not sure if their butter tarts are the best ever made but they have to be way up there!

The crust is delicate and flaky as anything. The filling is just the right consistency and is sweet without being cloying. All in all, a classic butter tart!

They make great sausage rolls too!

[Yongeman]

Sounds great. Where is Moffat?

[Atahualpa]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Moffat+Ontario or http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Dar%27s+Delights...

[Yongeman]

Thanks Atahualpa. I should have done that myself.

[mainja]

Yeah, they're my second favourite after the Blue Mountain Bakery actually, but I'm far more addicted to their apple cider doughnuts...

-----
Blue Mountain Cafe
1587 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1H7Z3, CA

[alycat]

The best butter tarts i have ever had was at a place called Whitefeather farms country store just outside of Oshawa in Raglan on Simcoe St. The family owns a huge egg farm and they use the "cracked eggs" to make the butter tarts. They are wonderful. Light, flaky, crust and perfect filling.

[cheesymama]

Just got back from the ROM. I had an excellent buttertart from the Food Lounge in the basement. It was larger than your standard muffin cup size, but at $4.75 it was pricey and only an occasional treat. The pastry was great, more of a tender shortbread crust than flaky and the filling wasn't overly sweet with lots of raisins (or were they currants?). Definitely worth checking out if you happen to be at the ROM.

[StrawberryRhubarb]

I love the Flaky Tart buttertarts, perfect combo of runny middle and flaky pastry. And raisins, naturally! The lady said you can order them ahead of time without raisins, but I like them in.

[magic]

If Blue Mountain Gourmet are the people that supply the Ravenna General Store with butter tarts and baked goods (and I’m pretty sure that they do) I’d agree with mainga’s statement that the butter tarts are incredible. First time I had them was summer ’06. They were so amazing, I was beside myself. A perfect butter tart. I had them again in summer ’07. Something was off. Maybe it was an off-day, maybe I got a dud, maybe the supplier was now different. I was disappointed, as I wanted a repeat of my summer ’06 butter tart experience. So I bought a piece of carrot cake and it was easily the best carrot cake I’ve ever had. The choco-chip cookies are wicked too. If Blue Mountain Gourmet is the architect behind these baked goods sold the Ravenna General Store, I’d second mainga’s support of these bakers.

[Wiley]

The Maid's Cottage in Newmarket definitely makes the grade..CHFI recently did a commercial there and Mike Cooper got hooked on them. Nice and runny, tender crust.

[orbitgirl]

hello butter tart people - have you tried the chocolate butter tarts at Cinnamon Girls at Queen west of Dovercourt??

They're $3.50 apiece and worth every delicious addictive penny.

[non sequitur]

Could those of you who cite your mom's/grandma's recipes as the gold standard please post a recipe and save me a trip out of the GTA? I've looked up a couple in my mom's cupboard, and they seem to miraculously consist of only 4-5 ingredients excluding the crust (!!!). Therefore, I'd like to save on the gas AND on the $2/tart pricetag and have some recommendations that are tried and true. I'll specifically address this request to Dannyboy, Yongeman and Shana, all of whom make a reference to a family fave.

[The Chowhound Team]

Please post any recipes over on the Home Cooking board. You can post a link here when you do.

[Alacrity59]

I've not yet encountered a butter tart with bad filling so for me the key is the crust. In my opinion the best crust for butter tarts and pies is the one that Madam Benoit presented on her TV show many many years ago. I think it used to on the inside lid of tenderflake lard. You can easily find it on the web. (so many places have tough crust 1/4" thick. . . errrrggggg)

[Full tummy]

Oh, you're lucky, I've tried plenty of gloopy, flavourless fillings. The crust at Flaky Tart is, not surprisingly, flaky, and the filling is perfect.

[Wiley]

I'll check out the butter tarts at The Maid's Cottage in Newmarket and report back.

[mainja]

The best butter tarts I've ever had were from http://www.bluemountaingourmet.com/, but it's no where near Toronto, so... Actually, my mum and I made our own butter tart trail last summer. It was fun to gorge on so many butter tarts... http://www.living-in-the-country.com/...

In terms of Toronto though - Miss Cora's Kitchen in Kensington Market (69 Kensington Ave) does some tasty butter tarts.

[non sequitur]

Don't know if anyone had heard of this: the "butter tart trail"?
Link at http://www.wellington-north.com/dept-...

Looked interesting, though I don't know if anyone in this exhaustive compendium of all things butter tart vouched for any of the participants?

[mainja]

There are surprisingly few butter tarts on the butter tart trail, just so you know... *grin*

[clamen1]

Just noticed your post on the butter tart trail being non-butterlesss. Oh no! We got together 5 girls for a day out to test the butter tarts. Can you give me more info on where do go or did you hit an "off time"? Thx.

[mainja]

oh, it's just that many of the places listed don't have butter tarts. But the butter tarts on the list for sure have butter. *grin*

[sway]

Osgoode Hall Restaurant at the Law Society. YUM!

[lunchbucket]

Grumbels (sp?) on Main Street west side just south of Danforth. I could eat just the crust alone--the filling is a bonus.

[birdienumnums]

I have to second this! I used to work there 31 years ago (it used to be called Griffiths and was in the beach). The buttertarts were great then and when I went back a year ago, they were just as good as I remember. I've gotten good press on my buttertarts, and the Grumbles/Griffiths ones were the ones that I have always used as my benchmark.

[sugarcube]

I remember Alchemy having one of the most oozy butter tarts.. but they're gone now : I walked through Kensington market and they were closed down! :(

I've recently tried butter tarts from Phipps, Sweet Bliss, and Altitude. For Phipps I had their caramel butter tart. The carmel was sweet but not toothachingly sweet, the crust was thick but not really buttery and the filling was not as runny as I wanted it to be.
Sweet Bliss's butter tart was large and beautiful but was lacking in flavour, crust and filling wise and was the priciest of the three ($3.25, Phipps was 2.50 and altitude a steal for less than $2.)
I don't think I did justice to Altitude's butter tart because my lack of impatience got the best of me and I ate it cold (room temperature). When I purchase another one in the future i'll be sure to try it warmed up a bit. The crust was not a shortbread crust and I found it to be a bit more flaky than the other two.
I went to the Queen of Tarts and chose their maple walnut tart but will return to try their butter tart in the future. I also will return to Le Pain Quotien for their butter tart. I spotted it the last time I was there but ended up choosing something else.
Cobbs and Future's bakery carry butter tarts but just the unappealing look of them does not make me very keen on trying them.

[Full tummy]

sugarcube, why don't you try the butter tart from Flaky Tart and let us know how it compares.

[Yongeman]

I agree, fulltummy. I've tried the Flaky Tart butter tart and it's awesome. Large, deep and VERY runny. Delicious.

[LemonLauren]

agree! go there now!

[sugarcube]

I read the 'Flaky Tart' thread and saw all the rave reviews for the butter tart. I will definitely have to return to the mount pleasant area.
I'll let you know how it goes, and thanks for the recommendation Full Tummy, Yongeman, LemonLauren :)

[Wylie]

Try Hansen's Danish bakery (Danforth and Pape) for great butter tarts, not to mention pies, cookies and brownies. They also have a location within the Thornhill Farmers market open Thurs-Saturday.

[City_West]

I'd check out the butter tarts at Dark Horse espresso bar, I've had a friend bring me one before and I thought it was pretty good.

[violetplant]

I have to say that my favourite of all time are the pecan butter tarts from Yitz's deli on Eglinton...I am not big on ooze so I like these and the pastry is very buttery and decadent.

[phoenikia]

I tried the Butter tarts in Haliburton, and they were ok, but nothing compared to the Furtney's butter tarts that used to be available in St. Mary's, Ontario until Furtney's closed in the late 90s.

Wanda's in the Kitchen with Dinah sells the most delicious butter tarts I've found in Toronto.
http://www.wandaspieinthesky.com/bake... on Mt Pleasant, between Eglinton and Mt. Pleasant. Their bite-size tarts have the perfect ratio of pastry to filling. They have a version without raisins or nuts, as well as raisin and nut versions.

[rat under paper]

I will try Wanda's In the Kitchen; it is just a minute away from me.

[rat under paper]

One more into the butter tart fray: I am looking at an old copy of the Canadian Cookbook, and there is listed a recipe for butter tarts that puts currants or raisins right at the top of the ingredients list. To me, a butter tart has to have them- like them or not. Drizzles of any sort are Postmodern butter tarts. Earrings on an elephant, perhaps. Having said that, another Postmodern butter tart is the four-dollar work of art (I am thinking specifically of the very tasty version produced by Queen of Tarts on Ronscesvalles). One has to pick and choose, I suppose- I personally have difficulty with the $20 supermarket cakes...I'll admit it...any supermarket pastry, really, regardless of price. I think the best bet for old style butter tarts is probably your own kitchen with an old recipe.

[xssnrg]

I ran across this post and wanted to add to the list. Today I had a buttertart from Sweet Indulgences - bakery and cafe at Coxwell and O'Conner - West side. Tart was not runny, was drizzled with very high grade chocolate and the crust was a flaky and soft wonder. Yum!

If you are on your way north, just south of Stouffville at 9th line and 19th on the East side is a garden/grocery/bakery store that sells runny butter tarts - don't recall the name. Just know the tarts are good and you can get them with/without nuts and with/without raisins...

[fruglescot]

BUTTER TART FANATIC!
Sorry to have to bring this to your attention xssnrg,and I'm so happy you found the item yummy! However, the Canadian BT is a specifically defined creation and would never come with anything drizzled on top including pecans or high grade chocolate. What you had was a mutation of the original
old fashioned sweet. It's a good thing that we buried grandmum in a revolving coffin.
Try an authentic BT at Hansens Danish Pastry Shop on Pape ave. just south of Cosburn. However, they wont qualify for the OB, though, because they do contain raisins.

[xssnrg]

fruglescot - I really enjoy your posts - especially the one on the Pollan lecture...

On this thread --- I'll try them out and get back to you... being a chocolate fanatic, I am ok with my BT's drizzled but only if the chocolate is very high grade... heretic that I am!!!

[fruglescot]

xssnrg
Thank you for the compliment. I am a high grade chocolate fan myself
Contact me through my email (on profile) for an interesting chocolate related idea somewhat off topic.

[Full tummy]

My favourite butter tarts were from Humble Pie Bakery in Baysville. They were being sold at a number of places a number of years ago, including Bruno's, I think. Yes, they were made with raisins; yes, they were runny. The recipe can be found on the Internet, as it was apparently featured in LCBO's "Food & Drink" magazine back in 2002.

I believe the owner sold and don't know if they're still open or, if they are, if their butter tarts are still almost worth the drive.

[fruglescot]

I am a Butter tart trekie as well. They're as hard to find as The Holy grail , Fountain of Youth or the Canadian identity.
Just wondering if you ever located the ultimate item in the GTA?

[Otonabee]

I have to ask... The best butter tarts that I ever had used to come from Schillings on the Danforth. I beleive they used to use puff pastry for the crust which always tasted amazing. I know they are now closed but does anyone know if the baker from there is working anywhere else?!?

[dragonflygrl]

The former owner of Schillings, (Suzy) is, or was an instructor for George Brown's baking and pastry arts programs. She does make wonderful butter tarts!

[fruglescot]

Might be worthwhile signing up for a little adult education.

[kawarthagirl]

The ones we used to love are from Don's on Main cafe in Uxbridge. Don't know if Don is still doing them but...... wow........

[sugarcube]

Hi

I recommend the Butter tart from Oliver and Bonacini Cafe/ Grill at Bayview Village.
On one of my dessert blitzes, the butter tart was on my roster of edible delights. I found it quite delicious, but i'll let the photo speak for itself.

Hope this helps :)

[Yongeman]

Nice pic, sugarcube. The tart is soooooo dark. Is there chocolate in it?

[sugarcube]

Thanks!
There wasn't any chocolate, but the deep, rich colour probably came from the use of a partially refined brown sugar... I suspect Demerara or Muscovado

[Askosrose]

OMG, I agree with the original poster. Junction sells the BEST buttertarts! I only get there once a year, so we usually buy a dozen and pig out on all of them the same night.

That said, I'll have to try some of the recommendations, because I must have buttertarts!

[SirAlain]

I'm not an expert on butter tarts, but what about Clafouti Patisserie et Cafe (Queen St. West)? They have delicious ones which I hope are not "high-end four-dollar works of art."

If anyone here has also tried tarts from that cafe, please share your 2 cents!

[artificialard]

I go there frequently and I never noticed butter tarts there... They do have wonderfully unique fruit-based tarts like a fig tart, apple chocolate, etc.

Do visit them in any case and try their croissants. Fantastic.

[artificialard]

Unless you're on the Manitoulin island and even then you're not likely to stray to Meldrum Bay which is at the western most tippy-tip. It's a small (barely a city block with a single general store) but it's fantastically beautiful. We stayed at the Meldrum Inn there that served amazing butter tarts - wonderful homemade pastry and the lightest crust (maybe a brulee?) on top of the filling that really completed it. We ordered them and freaked out about them the whole time we were there and the innkeepers were nice enough to send us an extra box with us. Their ribs are also seriously delicious. We did drive around and I did hazard a guess that it was one of the better (if not best eateries) on the west side of the island..
www.meldrumbayinn.com

[fruglescot]

Strangely coincidental that you mention a Manitoulin Island find because the best BT I located on a partial cross Canada (taste) trip was on the Chi Chi Maun auto Ferry on the way to Manitoulin I. at Kincardin, Ont.
Quite a few years ago, I'm afraid. The memory persists!

[torontovore]

Try the General Store in Palmer Rapids (Madawaska Highlands). Whenever I pass through I pick up a dozen or so of their freshly baked butter tarts. I'm drooling now, just thinking about them.

[Stockli]

If you are driving north of Whitby on Hwy 23, stop at Hy Hope Farm. You won't be disappointed in their butter tarts!

[punkyhunky]

Just picked up a dozen yesterday and fresh out of the oven. They were dang good.

[bellybuster]

Is this inspired by something on Stillepost?

[KevinB]

Kessler's Swiss Pastries in Richmond Hill (on Levendale, west of Yonge, across the street from Richmond Heights plaza) makes a mighty fine butter tart. I asked the owner about the raisin issue (I'm a raisin guy myself); she just looked at me, and said "Of course" (they should contain raisins).

[shana]

Toronto Life Cafe on Front street at Church (now called Nanoo) used to have great butter tarts - like my mom made - does anyone know if they are still making them???

[AmandaEd]

My personal faves (and I too have conducted an exhaustive search) are from the Little Tub Bakery in Tobermory. When up on the Bruce, check them out!

[knuckles]

The best butter tarts are in Bruce County, specifically Liddle's in Riply.

[AmandaEd]

I will have to venture to Liddle's when back up there! Thanks for the reco!

[Cereal Killer]

Cakes by Tatiana in the Glebe in Ottawa. You have to order them in advance, but by god they'll make you actually want to visit family and friends in our Nation's Capital.

CK

[evelyn55]

There is a variety store in Elliot Lake, Ontario called "Gem's Variety" on Hergott Avenue, that have the best butter tarts available. I tried these last year, and they are to die for. Just the right crust consistancy, won't really breakup in your hand. If you are up there its worth the trip.
They are located at: 80 Hergott Avenue. Phone number 705.848.0394
There is a lot of things to do in Elliot Lake, go for a visit.

[jeff75]

I have always thought the best in the city is at the Mars Restaurant at college and bathurst.

[Scruncheons]

Little Britain sounds good.

If you're on the road east, stop in at Sandy's in Odessa for another one that shouldn't be combined with driving duties! Thin but substantial and slightly crispy crust; very caramelly, almost-liquid filling with good chewiness where it meets the edges of the crust.

A warning: they sell out like crazy, and Sandy can be a little cranky. I stopped in once at the end of the day on the off-chance there might be some available (but resigned to the fact there might not be) and was lectured that I should have called ahead if I were coming that far that late in the day! I thought I was out of luck but then she magically produced the last tray of six in the store!

[mikeb]

Odessa also has some really great cheddar from the The Wilton Cheese Factory.

http://www.jensencheese.ca/

[koknia]

Another big vote for the bakery in Little Britain.

Resist temptation and *DO NOT* attempt to eat these while driving. I made that mistake recently and had to wash my car inside and out.

[starvin]

You're right! Toronto does not have the BEST buttertarts...the best buttertarts are in a bakery in Little Britain, Ontario-called "Buttertarts N'More!" It's worth the hour and half drive from Toronto!

They have every variety of buttertarts you can imagine!

-Regular buttertarts with raisins or without
-Buttertarts with pralines and/or walnuts and/or raisins
-Just buttertarts without nuts or raisins
-Lemon Tarts
-Blueberry Tarts
-Cherry Tarts
-Raspberry Tarts

Yummmm...It's time for a road trip!

[paulcol]

I drove up there yesterday, snowy roads wouldn't stop me.
I bought 18 tarts, 6 lemon tarts, 6 butter tarts, 6 fruit tarts. Bought some jalapeno pickled eggs, and some veggie bread.
Everything I bought is great.
I did buy a fruit scone to go, so I had to drive a little more careful on the way back.
It's worth the trip.

[orangewasabi]

On Wed am (I think) there is a small farmer's market in the courtyard of BCE place. I've had the butter tarts from one of the vendors there that were pretty good.

Also, on Sat at the north SLM, there is a pieman -- his berry pies are amazing. It's been a while since I had his butter tarts, though my husband, the BT aficiando gave them the thumbs up.

good luck

[Googs]

orangewasabi, do you mean the pie man in the southeast corner or the pie lady in the middle-middle?

[cheesymama]

Try the ones at Hansen's Danish Pastry shop on Pape just north of Mortimer. Ask for the Homestyle, they have 2 types, these should meet your requirements. They're the best I've found in the city.

[Atahualpa]

Really? I live so close to there and I go to the Danish Pastry shop all the time. Yet, I have never had their butter tarts! I'll have to give these a try.

[sierramum]

Thank you cheesymama! I walk by the shop several times a week, always drooling over their window display, but haven't gone in yet due to time constrictions. But now you've convinced me to go in...just for the butter tarts! (And I'll try both types just to compare!)

[sierramum]

Finally stopped into Hansen's last week. Ordered 3 butter tarts: 1 regular and 2 of the traditional (1 with pecans). And oh boy, were these ever good! Each one was oozing with sugary sweet goodness. The crusts were perfect and the regular ones come in an aluminum tart "cup". The traditional are $1.10/ea and the regular are $.85/ea. Despite the price, I'm gonna' stick with the traditional ones. :-) (but not the pecan ones. I like them plain on top with raisins inside.)

[Shari_Toronto]

This is fabulous! My dad's birthday is on Monday and I was wondering what treat to take him tomorrow and he loves butter tarts. I will stop by Hansen's tomorrow for sure.

Are there any other items at Hansen (aside from butter tarts) that you recommend trying out?

I have had good butter tarts from Betty's Pies and Tarts in Port Hope (almost Coburg)
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/20...

They were voted best Ontario butter tart by Ontario Travel Blog in 2011

Betty's Pies and Tarts
7380 County Road 2
On Hwy 2 between Port Hope & Cobourg
Port Hope, ON
L1A 3S6
(V) [phone]

[Breadcrumbs]

Betty's Butter Tarts are indeed delicious. If you like a thick pie crust and a runny tart then these are your buttertarts. I believe you can also purchase them in Bowmanville at Price's Country Market. Call ahead to be certain.

[Shari_Toronto]

Thanks Breadcrumbs...good to know!

[Breadcrumbs]

Just returned from Price's Country Market and they do have all varieties of Betty's Buttertarts. 6 tarts for $7.99

Plain (no raisins or nuts) in my photos below.

[Ediblethoughts]

The pecan tarts were very good--but only the kind in the asymmetrical pastry shell (the typical pinched shell tasted stale to me.)

[hadra]

Shari, apart from the best buttertarts in the GTA, Hansen's has the best fern tarts I've tasted since I was a kid! Also great are their empire cookies. You know what's also great? Their friendly service, it's a real neighbourhood place.

Cheers,
buttertartbliss

[Shari_Toronto]

I tried Hansen's this weekend and loved them! I also tried Andrea's Bakery on Gerrard. I was disappointed by Andrea's. They are huge and pricey at $3/ea. I will say they smelled and tasted of buttery goodness, and the pastry was solid. What totally threw it off was the consistency. They were EXTREMELY grainy. They are dark in colour, so I think dark brown sugar was used, which is great, but they didn't spend enough time creaming the sugar and butter. If they had, it would be a fantastic tart. Maybe it was an off day? I will say that Andrea's makes a fabulous ice cream sandwich (dark chocolate cookie with English Brown Bread ice cream.

I have a list on Pinterest of butter tarts to try, and have included rates on the ones I have had.

http://pinterest.com/sharimisner/good...

[kwass]

I just went to your list. Don't bother with OMG Baked Goodness. They're more of a maple tart, and not particularly good.

As for Andrea's, she used to work @ Cafe Belong, which is where I tried them, and I agree with you that the crust is fantastic...really buttery, but just like OMG, I found the filling to be more maple-y than classic butter tart. However, I can't recall whether they were grainy.

[Shari_Toronto]

Thank you kwass. I agree....the flavour was more maple, almost sugar pie flavour.

[kwass]

Exactly!

[hadra]

Shari, I attended that butter tart tasting in Peterborough, and Betty's was one of my top two favourites. My most favourite, however, were the tarts from The Pie Shack in Fenelon Falls. :) I'm going to make a drive up there this summer, I think! The old Fenelon Falls bakery is where we used to get great Fern Tarts growing up, I wonder if The Pie Shack makes them?

Cheers,
buttertartbliss

[hadra]

Agreed! I've named the old-fashioned butter tarts (not the ones in the tins, the ones made by hand) at Hansens (The Danish Pastry Shop on Pape Ave near Cosburn) as the best in the GTA. I haven't found one to top them, although I haven't made it to Maid's Cottage yet!

Cheers,
buttertart bliss

[Yongeman]

Ok Pantz. My mom is off the boil and onto a simmer.

[hungryabbey]

I used to live in Peterborough and when I was younger, I used to go to the farmers market where we'd go to what we'd call 'the butter tart lady' haha. They were really delicious and what I liked was you could get them with nuts, without nuts, with raisins or without raisins, and they came in big (normal size) and little mini bite sized ones which were sooo cute and perfect. I havent had many butter tarts but I know that she made some good ones. They we're the runny type though.

[FlavoursGal]

Try Hannah's Kitchen on Yonge just south of Eglinton. Here's a blurb from Toronto Life, copied from Hannah's Kitchen's webstite ( www.hannahskitchen.com

)

"Butter Tarts"-Toronto Life

"Before all else, and pre-empting indignant letters, we acknowledge that nobody makes butter tarts like the ones you had at Grandma's cottage on Manitoulin Island. That said, it's remarkable how many unassuming places bake their own-and how few do bad ones. Saying as much, though, reveals our relationship to them: most buttertarts taste like someone's grandmother made them (and how could you say anything bad about Granny?). Even so, some grans have the genius. The stickiest, yummiest butter tarts ($1.65) come from Hannah's Kitchen (2221 Yonge St., 481-2828). The top third is a chewy caramel layer that'll loosen dental work. A bare touch of runny sweetness fills the center, and the base is a buttery pastry that beats anything else in town. Still not sold? Two words might help convince some of you: no raisins

[Pantz]

That definitely sounds like what I'm looking for! Hannah's Kitchen and Patisserie Daudet are now on my list of Toronto tarts to try. Thanks to FlavoursGal and Deelicious.

To all you raisin lovers out there, just to be clear, I'm a raisin hater, so leave 'em out of my tart. More raisins for you!

Other than that, I'm up for most variations on butter tarts, traditional or newfangled. My preference has already been stated, but let's face it, anything made with sugar, butter and flour is probably going to be tasty. I'd probably even make an exception for Yongeman's mother's Butter Tarts. You have to respect 60 years of experience!

[foodiebear]

I second Hannah's Kitchen. I volunteer for a group that caters from them, and it's the thought of those butter tarts that gets me out of bed for the all-day meetings....

[Atahualpa]

I really like the butter tarts made by the people who run the baked goods stall in the North (farmer's) market at the St. Lawrence Market. Their butter tarts have a nice, buttery, crumbly, and, most importantly, light, shortbread-style crust. The filling is excellent. Although, I can not vouch for any filling other than raisin because the only butter tarts that should be allowed to be made or allowed to be sold are Raisin butter tarts. The rest are travesties of butter-tart tradition!

I should also add that I completely disagree with the Dufflet rec. I find their crust has much, much, much too much Browned-Butter falvour and is, therefore, too nutty in flavour. Not only does the pastry have this browned flavour it also is too much a unltra-crumbly tart shell pastry and not the right consistency. The filling is also wrong -- it has currants not raisins and that makes it much too chewy!

I will agree with you that Ingoldsby is fantastic. I rented a cottage several years ago that was too close to them and I think I gained some 10 pounds!

[deelicious]

mmmmm reading that makes me want to head back to dufflet for another one today!! so buttery good.

But I don't want atahualpa's tart bashing to get in the way of Pantz trying the very runny tarts at Patisserie Daudet...they are completely different from dufflet.

[Yongeman]

Now you're messing with my traditions, Pantz. My mother has made butter tarts with raisins for at least 60 years. Her pastry is not 'of a consistency close to shortbread'. They are fantastic butter tarts. I think if you check the history of butter tarts, you'll find that the type of pastry you are recommending and the nut fillings are more recent additions.
Furthermore, there is a 'runny' school and a non-runny school of butter tart lovers. I'm a runny guy myself. But that doesn't mean that the others are no good. There...I said it.

[pitboss]

Pantz...had the opportunity to meet the owner of Marty's in Bracebridge this week, and he brought me some of his world famous butter tarts. Apparently Marty has been featured in the Toronto Star & BT. All I can tell you, is that they were absolutely the most amazing tarts that I have ever tried. OMG...took one and put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and nuked it for 15 seconds, almost fell off my chair. Worth the trip for sure. Say hello to Marty and tell him that BBQ Mike in Barrie says hello.

[Sassykat]

I had the experience of eating Marty's Famous Butter Tarts and I thought they were terrible. The fact the they are high in sugar and fat is enough to send your cholesterol level through the roof and not to mention your arteries will clog up instantly.

[deelicious]

Do not bother with Hot Oven - they are not good, at least not in the way that you and I "know" good.

There IS a drippy buttery tart in Toronto! It is excellent and homestyle. Be careful because the filling RUNS out! It is a small french bakery in a strip mall. I believe it is called Patisserie Daudet. It is in the mall with McDonalds, Brunos and the TD Bank. 4335 Bloor Street West. Just west of the 427. I really hope you try it and of course that you love it.

In a pinch, Dufflet has a very good small butter tart that is very buttery, just not runny. I imagine if you heated it, it would loosen right up. I think it is a very good balance of flavours...had one yesterday.

[deelicious]

UPDATE: Although I think Daudet is still the better runny tart because it has so much flavour, I stumbled across a very runny, quality tart this afternoon. There is a small place on Bloor, east of Islington called Bake Sale. They have amazing stuff!

The butter tart is a perfect shell that has a cookie crunch to it. There are no raisins and it is RUNNY. I only wish it were a bit more complex in flavours. I should add that it was still warm out of the oven so I don't know if the centre congeals after a few hours. The one I had was liquid gold!

I also sprang calorically for a chocolate cupcake. I found the cupcake part to be perfect - light and airy, rich chocolate flavour. Not dense like a muffin. The icing is probably perfect to many tastes too, but I prefer a bit more of a butter cream feel. This was on the verge of being too sugary and granular. Overall a real cupcake!

The cakes (not cheap) and other treats look fantastic.

RUN, don't walk to Bake Sale. (it's that good, plus you'll be glad you burned the calories)

[mikeb]

Ingoldsby's are pretty good, but tell you sister to grab some from Yummy's just west of Argyle next time. It's on the way to Haliburton, on the Glen Arm Sideroad.

This summer we did a taste off between Ingoldsby's and the ones from Yummy's. Yummy's won. Some liked the filling better, but IIRC we thought the crust from Ingoldsby was a little too dry (only shortening possibly?). Mind you, I think that butter tarts should contain raisins so you can take my opinion as you will.

Can't help you in Toronto unfortunately,

[dannyboy]

I'm going to have to agree about the raisins, my mom makes insane butter tarts and they have raisins and are delicious

[waterxer]

Those yummy ones are nasty - my kids wouldn't even eat them.
The place at the corner in argyle are very good.
They have good coffee as well - so it is a good place to stop.

The ingoldsby ones are very good - but a bit steep in price - almost 10 bucks for 6.