Description
A batch-cooking dessert solution featuring a crisp shortbread crust and a gooey, maple-infused filling with crushed vanilla wafers. Designed for easy freezing and meal prep, these squares deliver authentic Canadian flavor with minimal stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2–3 tablespoons ice water
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup vanilla wafers, crushed
- ½ cup powdered sugar (optional, for glaze)
- 1–2 teaspoons milk (optional, for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides.
- In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add cold cubed butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces.
- Drizzle in ice water one tablespoon at a time, pulsing until dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Firmly press down to ensure a crisp crust.
- Blind bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden at the edges. Remove and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter until smooth. Add brown sugar and whisk vigorously until combined.
- Add maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and homogenous. Stir in crushed vanilla wafers.
- Pour filling over the pre-baked crust and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges are bubbly and golden, and the center has a slight jiggle.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours (or overnight in the fridge) to allow filling to set.
- Lift slab out using parchment overhang. Slice into 16 squares. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Blind baking the crust is essential to prevent sogginess. Use pure maple syrup for authentic flavor; avoid table syrup. Cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts. For meal prep, slice before freezing and wrap individually in plastic wrap. Can be stored in the fridge for 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Canadian Thanksgiving, Butter Tart Squares, Meal Prep, Maple Dessert, Freezer Friendly, Batch Baking, Fall Dessert, Easy Dessert