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(Photo: Roberto Caruso)
These squares have all the flavour of classic butter tarts, but are way easier to make.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup 35% cream
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
POSITION rack in bottom third of oven. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil an 8 × 8-in. baking dish, then line with overhanging parchment.
WHIRL flour with granulated sugar and salt in a food processor until combined. Add cubed butter and continue whirling until a ball forms, 1 min. Press dough firmly into an even layer in prepared dish.
WHISK brown sugar with eggs in a large bowl. Stir in cream, maple syrup and melted butter. Pour over dough.
BAKE in bottom third of oven until filling is puffed, about 1 hour. Transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 2 hours.
Calories 280, Protein 3g, Carbohydrates 33g, Fat 16g, Sodium 89mg.
Cold butter is ideal for baked goods that should be crisp. Butter that's straight from the fridge doesn't get fully incorporated into a batter; instead it gets broken down into small pieces throughout your dough. Since butter is about 18% water, steam is released in those pockets during baking, which helps create flaky layers. Use cold butter for scones, pie crust, biscuits and crispy cookies.