Butter Tart Squares

These squares are an easy and delicious twist on the traditional butter tart. They come together quickly and are ridiculously delicious.

Time: 4

Serves: 12-16

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cups packed brown sugar, light or dark
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the filling:

• ⅓ cups unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup raisins, roughly chopped (optional)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar, light or dark
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Make the crust: In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut in butter until well combined and crumbly. It will be dry and sandy. Press flour mixture evenly into a 9-inch square pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. As the crust bakes, make the filling: In a bowl, mix butter, cream, vanilla, raisins (if using), brown sugar, egg and flour until combined. Spread to edges over partly baked crust.
3. Return to oven and bake 14 to 20 minutes more or until golden brown. A few minutes after removing it from the oven, run a knife or offset spatula around the edges to loosen any sugar that is stuck to the pan. Let pan cool to room temperature, then chill in a refrigerator. Once cold, use a sharp knife to slice into squares, approximately 1¾ inches.

Notes:

• Recipe from the New York Times.