20 Creative Butter Tart Flavours You Need to Try
Canada’s iconic dessert just got a major glow-up.
Butter tarts are already pretty close to perfection: gooey, buttery filling inside a flaky pastry shell. But once you start playing with flavors—sweet, salty, nutty, boozy, fruity—things get even better.
Here are 20 wild, delicious, and totally worth-it butter tart flavours that go way beyond raisins (and yes, we’re keeping that debate out of this). Whether you bake them at home or hunt them down at a local bakery, these creative twists will make you fall in love with butter tarts all over again.
1. Salted Caramel Pretzel Butter Tart
Sweet, salty, and crunchy, with gooey caramel and crushed pretzels baked right in.
Pro tip: Add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before serving.
2. Maple Bacon Butter Tart
Canada meets brunch—rich maple filling with crispy bacon bits folded in.
Pro tip: Use smoked bacon for balance and a drizzle of extra maple syrup on top.
3. Pecan Pie Butter Tart
Basically pecan pie in tart form—chunky, sticky, and totally decadent.
Pro tip: Toast your pecans first for extra crunch and flavor.
4. Lemon Curd Butter Tart
Bright, tangy lemon curd swirled into classic filling = sunshine in a bite.
Pro tip: Add zest into the crust dough for even more citrus pop.
5. Chocolate Ganache Butter Tart
A rich layer of dark chocolate ganache under the gooey filling. It’s basically dessert-on-dessert.
Pro tip: Chill before serving for the cleanest chocolate layer cut.
6. Espresso Butter Tart
Bold and beautiful—coffee-infused filling with just the right kick of caffeine.
Pro tip: Top with chocolate-covered espresso beans for crunch.
7. Peanut Butter & Jelly Butter Tart
Swirl in natural peanut butter and dollops of strawberry or raspberry jam.
Pro tip: Bake in mini tart shells for party-ready nostalgia bombs.
8. S’mores Butter Tart
Add mini marshmallows, chunks of chocolate, and graham cracker crumbs.
Pro tip: Torch the top for that toasted s’mores finish.
9. Irish Cream Butter Tart
Add a splash of Baileys to the filling for a smooth, boozy finish.
Pro tip: Serve with whipped cream spiked with Baileys for double trouble.
10. Pumpkin Spice Butter Tart
Mix pumpkin purée and warm spices into the filling—perfect for fall.
Pro tip: Top with toasted pecans and a dusting of cinnamon sugar.
11. Apple Pie Butter Tart
Diced apples, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg baked into the filling.
Pro tip: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for balance.
12. Bourbon Pecan Butter Tart
Rich caramel filling with toasted pecans and a healthy splash of bourbon.
Pro tip: Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate upgrade.
13. Raspberry White Chocolate Butter Tart
Tart raspberries cut the sweetness perfectly—white chocolate adds creamy decadence.
Pro tip: Use freeze-dried raspberries on top for a pop of color and crunch.
14. Chai Spice Butter Tart
Warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves make it cozy and aromatic.
Pro tip: Pair with a hot cup of chai for the full experience.
15. Nutella Butter Tart
A big spoonful of Nutella baked into the filling. Gooey, rich, and ridiculously good.
Pro tip: Top with chopped hazelnuts for texture.
16. Toffee Crunch Butter Tart
Chopped Skor or toffee bits mixed into the filling—crunchy, buttery, addicting.
Pro tip: Sprinkle extra toffee bits right before baking so they melt into the top.
17. Cherry Almond Butter Tart
Sweet-tart cherries and almond extract bring a Bakewell-style twist.
Pro tip: Garnish with sliced almonds and a drizzle of glaze.
18. Pineapple Coconut Butter Tart
Tropical vibes—sweet pineapple bits and shredded coconut baked into the mix.
Pro tip: Add a splash of dark rum to take it to tiki-town.
19. Cookies and Cream Butter Tart
Crushed Oreos in the filling, plus a creamy topping and cookie crumble crust.
Pro tip: Make a chocolate tart shell for full Oreo overload.
20. Lavender Honey Butter Tart
Delicate floral notes with sweet, sticky honey. Unexpected—and unforgettable.
Pro tip: Use culinary-grade dried lavender, and don’t overdo it—just a pinch is plenty.
Final Crumbs
Butter tarts are one of those perfect blank-slate desserts—sweet, rich, and ready to absorb any flavor you throw at them. Whether you go boozy, fruity, floral, or straight-up indulgent, these 20 creative ideas prove there’s no wrong way to butter tart.
Bake one. Eat five. Share zero.
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