| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 25 – 30 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 495 | 23g | 5g | 68g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 28g | 2g | 5g | 0.34g |
Why I Love Canadian Vegan Butter Tart Cookie Bars
Passing Down the Love through Recipes
There’s something truly special about Vegan Butter Tart Cookie Bars. It isn’t simply because of their delectable sweet, yet nutty taste, but it embeds a memory of heritage and a fusion of cultures. As a Boston-raised food enthusiast with Irish ancestry, I hold a soft spot for comfort food. And, while this recipe diverges from the seafood-focused traditions of New England and my familial Irish staples, it holds its place as a delightful mix of cultures, blending in the sweetness of Canadian preparation methods into my cooking repertoire.
Inspiration behind the Recipe
While the origin of this Vegan Butter Tart Cookie Bars recipe can be traced back to our neigbors in the north, its inspiration does have a bit of an international flavor. A great soul in the world of baking, Mary Berg, a Canadian chef and cookbook author – offers a range of dessert recipes that hinge upon the beautiful simplicity of home baking. Among her vast dessert repertoire, I’ve always been taken by her traditional butter tart recipes and her dedication to curating vegan options, which inspired me to craft my very own rendition.
Where Does this Dish Fit?
Just as a perfect dessert can round off any good meal, I find these Vegan Butter Tart Cookie Bars, with their rich, nutty, maple-infused flavor, make an exceptional close to a wide variety of meals. Whether following a hearty Irish stew or the seafood delights of New England, these treats deliver a comforting sweetness that is as nostalgic as it is satisfying.
These bars could very well hold their ground beside other classics like Nanimo Bars or Butter Tart Square. If matched with a strong cup of coffee or an assortment of fresh, seasonal fruits, these bars can elevate any brunch or afternoon teatime.
The love of cooking and creating in the kitchen was passed down to me from generation to generation, and now, sharing the flavors that influence my family’s meals, from Laura, my ever-supportive fiancée, to our vibrant little boy, becomes the core of my culinary journey. The Vegan Butter Tart Cookie Bars might be an unexpected addition to my mix of traditional flavors. Still, they embody my love for exploring the depths of global cuisines, and for that, it will always be a recipe worth sharing.
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup of vegan butter
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
- 2 tablespoons of cold water
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of maple syrup
- 1/4 cup of corn starch
- 1/4 cup of cold water
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt
Method
Step One
Firstly, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
Step Two
Begin making the crust by combining the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt in a large bowl. Next, add 1/2 cup of softened vegan butter into the flour mixture until it turns crumbly.
Step Three
Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of cold water and knead the dough with your hands until it sticks together. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Step Four
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until it is lightly golden.
Step Five
While the crust is baking, you can prepare the filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, and remaining 1/4 cup of vegan butter and bring this to a boil over medium heat. Then, let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step Six
Mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water until it is smooth, pour this slurry into the boiling sugar mixture and stir continuously until it thickens up, this will take about 5 minutes.
Step Seven
Turn off the heat and add the pure vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt into the saucepan. Stir until everything is well combined.
Step Eight
When the crust is done, pour the hot filling over it. Tilt the pan if needed to make sure the filling is spread evenly.
Step Nine
Bake for another 20 minutes in the oven, or until the edges of the filling are bubbly and look set.
Step Ten
Let the Vegan Butter Tart Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Enjoy!
