Pecan Bourbon Butter Tarts

Dive into the decadent world of Pecan Bourbon Butter Tarts, where the classic Canadian treat gets a boozy twist with a splash of Kentucky bourbon. These tarts are a symphony of sweetness, featuring buttery crusts filled with a rich mix of pecans, maple syrup, and brown sugar, making them an easy yet addicting delight.

If you love the flavor of a southern pecan pie, then you’ll love this easy tart recipe. They are also known as Canadian butter tarts; these golden brown delights are incredibly rich and decadent. They look and taste like mini pecan pies. They couldn’t be easier to make! Mix the filling together, add them to the shells, and then bake them. You’ll love how easy they are.

Since they’re sweetened with maple syrup, you could call them maple pecan butter tarts. No matter what you call them, you just want to make them repeatedly. 

Why You’ll Love Pecan Bourbon Butter Tarts

• Flaky Crust – The buttery crust melts in your mouth. 
• Rich Flavor – the bourbon adds a complex flavor to these sweet tarts
• Shows Off – These gorgeous tarts are filled with layers of nutty goodness. 
• Pre-Made Ingredients – When you use pre-made tart shells, you don’t have to worry about how to roll dough or get out your electric mixer. 
• Holiday Treats are the perfect size to hand out to your guests at your holiday party. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

I want it!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

The main ingredients are almost the same as a pecan pie, but these little tarts are made without corn syrup. Here’s what you’ll need before you begin. 

• Brown Sugar: This sweetens the tarts and gives them deeper caramelized notes. 
• Maple Syrup: This gives the tarts the sticky-sweet texture you love. 
• Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted butter so they don’t taste too salty. 
• Kentucky Bourbon: This is optional but adds complexity to the tarts. 
• Egg: These are the important emulsifiers and keep all the ingredients together. 
• Salt: Essential because it enhances all the other flavors. 
• Pecans: Make sure they are chopped into small pieces. 
• Tart Shells: Use pre-made shells to save yourself time. 

How to Make Pecan Bourbon Butter Tarts

• Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Place the frozen tart shells in a muffin tin or, if the tart shells are in individual baking tins, on a cookie sheet.  
• Step Two: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, Kentucky bourbon, egg, and salt.
• Step Three: Add the pecans and stir until combined.

• Step Four: Fill each tart shell 3/4 of the way full. Don’t fill any further, as it will bubble up.
• Step Five: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden in color and the pecan mixture is bubbling. Cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before removing.

Equipment Needed

This post contains affiliate links.

• Large Mixing Bowl – Use a large enough bowl to hold all of the pecan pie filling ingredients. 
• Muffin Tin or Baking Sheet – You need something to hold the tarts in place while they bake. 
• Whisk – A whisk will incorporate the ingredients together better. 

What to Serve with Pecan Bourbon Butter Tarts

These little tarts are the perfect dessert to share at a party. You can top them with a little dollop of vanilla ice cream, but the buttery tarts are perfect just the way they are. Here are some more delicious desserts that will taste great with them. 

• Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
• Caramel Bacon Brownies
• Sweet Potato Pie

Variations and Substitutions

• Nuts. You can substitute the pecans with equal amounts of either walnuts or almonds if you prefer.
• Raisins. You can substitute the pecans with raisins.  If using raisins, put the raisins in a separate bowl and pour the bourbon over top.  Let stand for 5-7 minutes to plump up before adding it to the sugar mixture.
• Pie Crust. Make your buttery crust instead of buying it pre-made. 

Storage Instructions 

Store leftovers covered or in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. It’s important to keep the air off of them. If you don’t have an airtight container, wrap each tart in plastic. 

Pecan Bourbon Butter Tarts Tips and Tricks

• Let them cool. Before you serve them, let them cool on wire racks at room temperature. 
• Don’t overfill the tarts. Only fill the pecan tarts 3/4 full with the pecan filling. 
• Use a mini tart pan with a removable bottom. This makes it easier to remove them from the pan. 

Can I Omit The Alcohol? 

Although the bourbon adds a little kick and the alcohol bakes off in the oven, if you would rather not add alcohol, simply omit it for an amazing classic Pecan Butter Tart.  

Can I Use Homemade Tart Shells?  

Yes, you can make your tart shells if you want! You’ll need a tart pan and a lightly floured surface. The homemade crust is buttery and delicious! But if you don’t have a large enough work surface, don’t worry about it. Just buy pre-made butter pastry shells from the grocery store. Put them into your muffin tins and bake them. 

FAQ

Butter Tart Inspired Recipes          

Want to make more butter tart recipes at home? Here are some of my favorites:

• Butter Tart Squares
• Keto Pecan Butter Tarts
• Pecan Butter Tart Buns
• Butter Tart Muffins 
• Pecan Butter Tarts 

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.