Few desserts spark as much passionate debate among Canadians as the humble butter tart. Should the filling be runny or firm? Raisins or no raisins? What everyone agrees on, however, is that Ontario produces some of the finest butter tarts in the country.
From award-winning bakeries in the Niagara region to charming roadside shops in cottage country, the province has embraced this quintessentially Canadian treat like nowhere else. Ontario even hosts dedicated butter tart trails and festivals that attract thousands of enthusiasts each year.
Whether you prefer to embark on a butter tart road trip or enjoy exceptional Canadian baking in the comfort of your own home with the help of a private chef. This guide will point you toward the very best butter tarts Ontario has to offer.
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What makes a perfect butter tart?
The classic butter tart consists of a simple filling of butter, sugar, eggs, and syrup baked in a flaky pastry shell. Yet within this straightforward formula lies endless room for interpretation. Purists insist on maple syrup for authentic flavour, while others swear by corn syrup or a combination of both.
The pastry is perhaps the most crucial element. A great butter tart shell should be light, golden, and perfectly flaky, providing just enough structure to hold the gooey filling without becoming soggy. The ratio of crust to filling matters tremendously, and bakers guard their recipes like treasured family heirlooms.
Then comes the great add-in debate. Traditional variations include raisins, pecans, and walnuts, but modern bakers have pushed boundaries with Skor bar pieces, coconut, maple bacon, and even savoury-sweet combinations.
The filling consistency also divides opinion, with some preferring a set, almost custard-like texture while others demand that characteristic oozy centre.
Award-winning bakeries you need to visit
Ontario takes its butter tarts so seriously that annual competitions crown the province’s finest. The Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival in Midland attracts over 60,000 visitors each June, with both professional and amateur bakers competing for top honours in traditional and wild style categories.
DooDoo’s Bakery, Bailieboro
This charming country bakeshop sits about ninety minutes northeast of Toronto and has accumulated impressive awards, including recognition from the Royal Winter Fair and CBC’s Butter Tart Taste-Off. Their secret lies in the perfect pastry-to-filling ratio, with flaky crusts that cradle plump raisins in rich, buttery filling. If you cannot make the trip, DooDoo’s ships their legendary tarts across Canada.
The Bakery at 13th Street Winery, St. Catharines
Located in Niagara wine country, this bakery has been crowned producer of the best butter tarts in all of Canada. Their seasonal offerings include an Ice Wine Butter Tart that beautifully marries two of the region’s specialties. The winery setting makes it perfect for a day trip, complete with award-winning wines and a sculpture garden.
The Maid’s Cottage, Newmarket
What began as a front-lawn butter tart stand has grown into one of Ontario’s most celebrated pastry destinations. Their frilly tart shells hold inventive flavours that push boundaries while respecting tradition.
The Carrot Cake Butter Tart and S’mores Butter Tart topped with toasted marshmallow showcase the creative possibilities, while their Nanaimo Butter Tart brilliantly combines two Canadian classics.
Bring local flavors to your kitchen
From market-fresh ingredients to traditional recipes, a private chef turns your home into a true local experience.
Explore Ontario’s butter tart trails
For dedicated enthusiasts, Ontario offers self-guided road trips that transform butter tart hunting into a full adventure.
The Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour
It features over fifty stops spanning from Kawartha Lakes to Northumberland County. This tour sparked a friendly rivalry with Wellington County’s trail, though both now coexist peacefully.
Wellington County’s Butter Tart Trail
winds eighty kilometres from North Wellington to Guelph, passing through charming Mennonite communities along the way. Stops like Misty Meadows Market in Conn showcase fresh Mennonite baking alongside local produce, often selling out of popular varieties by midday on Saturdays. The trail offers not just tarts but a complete farm and food experience.
Hidden gems worth the drive
Beyond the well-known trails, Ontario hides exceptional butter tart bakeries in unexpected places.
- The Cornball Store in Magnetawan has earned passionate reviews as making perhaps the best butter tarts in history.
- Hidden Goldmine Bakery in Barry’s Bay offers traditional, raisin, pecan, and raspberry variations that have visitors raving.
- In Ottawa, Frank’s Bakery has been named the capital’s best butter tart, featuring creative flavours like butterscotch chip and maple walnut.
- Queen’s Tarts in Sault Ste. Marie offers over forty unique varieties, including crème brûlée and whiskey maple bacon, for adventurous palates.
- Grandma’s Beach Treats in Wasaga Beach won best in Ontario for their Naked Butter Tart.
- The Algonquin Lunch Bar and Gas Station in Whitney has earned devoted fans who firmly claim their simple, honest tarts, represent butter tart perfection.
Sometimes the best discoveries come from the most unexpected places.
A sweet piece of Canadian history
The butter tart’s origins trace back to the resourcefulness of early Canadian settlers. With fruit and vanilla scarce in rural communities, pioneer bakers adapted traditional European recipes using readily available pantry staples: butter, sugar, eggs, and maple syrup. The first known printed recipe appeared in the Royal Victoria Hospital Cookbook from Barrie around 1900.
That simple two-line recipe from Mrs. Malcolm MacLeod called for one cup sugar, half cup butter, two eggs, and one cup currants, with instructions simply reading: Mix. Fill the tarts and bake.
From these humble beginnings, the butter tart has evolved into a symbol of Canadian culinary identity, with Simcoe County proudly hosting the country’s largest butter tart festival.
Enjoying butter tarts at home
While road-tripping through Ontario’s butter tart destinations creates wonderful memories, you can also bring exceptional Canadian baking directly to your table. Private chef services like Take a Chef connect you with culinary professionals who create restaurant-quality experiences in your own home, complete with customized menus that can feature freshly baked butter tarts alongside other Canadian favourites.
With over 145 professional chefs available across Canada and prices starting from CAD $150 per person, it is an accessible option for special celebrations. Your private chef in Ontario arrives with fresh ingredients, prepares everything in your kitchen, serves each course, and leaves your space spotless, letting you focus entirely on enjoying the experience with your guests.
Your butter tart adventure awaits!
Whether you set out to conquer the Kawarthas Northumberland trail, discover hidden gems in cottage country, or attend the legendary Midland festival, Ontario offers endless opportunities to indulge in this beloved Canadian treat. The province’s bakers continue to innovate while honouring tradition.
For those who prefer to celebrate at home, Take a Chef can help you create a memorable gathering featuring the best of Canadian cuisine. However, you choose to enjoy them, one thing remains certain: the perfect butter tart is always worth the journey.
