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    Home » Recipes » HOLIDAY SWEETS

    Sam TurnbullAuthor: Sam Turnbull Updated: July 8, 2025

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts

    4.93 from 53 votes
    | 87 Comments
    Save Saved! Pin Comments ↓ Jump to Recipe

    If you are new to butter tarts, then you are likely not Canadian as butter tarts make an appearance at pretty much every holiday, every bake sale, and in every bakery in Canada. Are Butter Tarts more Canadian than Maple Syrup?? Hmmmm... This recipe has been requested of me for a long time, so it was due time for me to release my Easy Vegan Butter Tarts into the world. And oooeee am I glad I did - the flavor of that sweet and gooey filling wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust is like no other - oh man! Oh Canada!!

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts! The Canadian classic dessert made vegan. Tastes just like the traditional recipe but its egg and dairy free! Perfect for Canada day or any holiday treat. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #vegandessert #canada

    FEATURED COMMENT:

    I am obsessed. I love love butter tarts and they are perfect to make all year round. Especially when I am craving something sweet I make these cause most of the ingredients I have are in my pantry and fridge. Thnak you so much for creating this awesome recipe. 🙂 - Arushana

    Traditionally butter tarts are made with dairy and eggs, so it took several attempts to veganize them to perfection, but oh did I veganize them, and oh are they perfect! Rave reviews from all who sampled these beauties (non-vegans included). In my easy vegan butter tarts, the tart shells are filled with raisins (trust me on this, this is traditional), and a mixture of vegan butter, sugar, and cornstarch (which replaces the eggs). Once baked the mixture turns into a gorgeous sweet caramel, sticky, drippy, amazing goo, and the raisins melt right into that sweet goodness.

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts! The Canadian classic dessert made vegan. Tastes just like the traditional recipe but its egg and dairy free! Perfect for Canada day or any holiday treat. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #vegandessert #canada

    For my vegan butter tarts, I give you the option of having a runnier or thicker filling as many have a preference one way or the other, and you can optionally top the tarts with pecans or walnuts if you desire. Not a raisin fan? Even though raisins are traditional in butter tarts, (and in my opinion are WAY better than they sound), there are some who prefer raisin-free tarts. You can replace the raisins with ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts! The Canadian classic dessert made vegan. Tastes just like the traditional recipe but its egg and dairy free! Perfect for Canada day or any holiday treat. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #vegandessert #canada

    To Make Easy Vegan Butter Tarts:

    You can either simply use store-bought vegan tart shells (some brands are accidentally vegan so check the ingredients. Or you can may my Easy Vegan Pie Crust and make your own tart shells from scratch. If using homemade pastry, roll out the pastry nice and thin and cut 8 circles about 5 ½" diameter, re-rolling the pastry scraps if needed. I had a latte mug that was the perfect size so I used that to cut my pastry. Fit the pastry circles into 8 wells a muffin pan, wobbly edges are totally ok and are authentic for butter tarts. Add 1 tablespoon of raisins to the bottom of each tart shell.

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts! The Canadian classic dessert made vegan. Tastes just like the traditional recipe but its egg and dairy free! Perfect for Canada day or any holiday treat. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #vegandessert #canada

    In a small bowl or medium bowl, beat together the brown sugar, vegan butter, plant-based milk, cornstarch and vanilla until smooth and creamy. For a slightly runnier filling use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and for a thicker filling use 2 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch.

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts! The Canadian classic dessert made vegan. Tastes just like the traditional recipe but its egg and dairy free! Perfect for Canada day or any holiday treat. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #vegandessert #canada

    Divide the butter-sugar mixture among each tart shell covering the raisins, about 1 ½ tablespoons of liquid per tart. The tarts will be about ⅔rd full which is perfect. Optionally, you can top the tarts with pecans or walnuts. I chose to sprinkle half with pecans and half without.

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts! The Canadian classic dessert made vegan. Tastes just like the traditional recipe but its egg and dairy free! Perfect for Canada day or any holiday treat. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #vegandessert #canada

    Bake for about 23 minutes, the filling will be bubbling and foamy. Remove from oven and let cool completely to room temperature before serving. You may need to run a knife around the edges of the tarts to help release them from the muffin tin. Serve on their own or with a vegan ice cream and enjoy! Dairy-free desserting has never tasted so good!

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts! The Canadian classic dessert made vegan. Tastes just like the traditional recipe but its egg and dairy free! Perfect for Canada day or any holiday treat. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #vegandessert #canada

    4.93 from 53 votes
    (click stars to vote)

    Easy Vegan Butter Tarts

    The Canadian classic dessert made vegan. Tastes just like the traditional recipe but its egg and dairy free! Perfect for Canada day or any holiday treat. 
    Prep: 15 minutes mins
    Cook: 23 minutes mins
    Total: 38 minutes mins
    Servings: 8 butter tarts
    PRINT PIN Save Saved! COMMENT

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 recipe Easy Vegan Pie Crust, (or 8 store-bought vegan tart shells)
    • ½ cup raisins
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • ¼ cup vegan butter
    • 3 tablespoons plant-based milk, (such as soy or almond)
    • 2 - 2 ½ tablespoons cornstarch, *see notes
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup pecans or walnuts, whole or chopped (optional)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (170 degrees C).
    • If using homemade pastry, roll out the pastry nice and thin and cut 8 circles about 5 ½" diameter, re-rolling the pastry scraps if needed. I had a latte mug that was the perfect size so I used that to cut my pastry. Fit the pastry circles into 8 wells a muffin pan, wobbly edges are totally ok and are authentic for butter tarts.
    • Add 1 tablespoon of raisins to the bottom of each tart shell.
    • In a medium bowl, beat together the brown sugar, vegan butter, plant-based milk, cornstarch and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Divide the butter-sugar mixture among each tart shell covering the raisins, about 1 ½ tablespoons of liquid per tart. The tarts will be about ⅔rd full which is perfect. Optionally, you can top the tarts with pecans or walnuts. I did half with pecans and half without.
    • Bake for about 23 minutes, the filling will be bubbly and foamy. Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving. You may need to run a knife around the edges of the tarts to help release them from the pan.

    Notes

    • Not a raisin fan? Even though raisins are traditional in butter tarts, (and in my opinion are WAY better than they sound), there are some who prefer raisin-free tarts. You can replace the raisins with ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
    • For a slightly runnier filling use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and for a thicker filling use 2 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch (in a single batch recipe).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.6mg

    ⭐ Did You Make This Recipe?

    I’d love if you left a rating and comment, it helps others find the recipe and makes my day! 💕
    Author: Sam Turnbull
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Course: Dessert

    Bon appetegan! Sam.

    « Vegan Nacho Stuffed Portobellos
    Vegan Caesar Cocktail »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. dorothy says

      March 04, 2026 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      very delicious

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says

        March 04, 2026 at 4:19 pm

        Thanks Dorothy! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    2. Toni says

      December 14, 2025 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      Made these last Christmas for my non-vegan family and they were delicious. Everyone loved them.

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says

        December 15, 2025 at 11:19 am

        Thanks Toni! So happy your family loved them.

        Reply
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    4.93 from 53 votes (26 ratings without comment)

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