Finished lighter Canadian Butter Tart Squares in its familiar home-style presentation

A lower-calorie way to make Butter Tart Squares

Butter Tart Squares: a lighter Canadian recipe with a clear doneness check

Canadian Butter Tart Squares for eight: prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake. The measured formula uses whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, eggs, maple syrup, and brown sugar; the reliable finish is the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender. About 345 kcal per portion.

345 kcalestimated/serving
155 kcal · 31%less than reference
70 minprep to plate
8 servingsrecipe yield

Butter Tart Squares should still taste and look familiar after it is lightened. This version controls the richest ingredients instead of removing the dish's defining texture. The practical method is to prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake. Use this visible test rather than extra oil or sauce: the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender.

The change that makes it lighterFor this Canadian Butter Tart Squares, the calorie-saving change is to prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake. raisins and vanilla stay measured instead of being added by eye.

What changes—and what stays

From a richer full-sugar portion often reaches 480–650 kcal to 345 calories

For this Canadian Butter Tart Squares, the calorie-saving change is to prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake. raisins and vanilla stay measured instead of being added by eye. Butter Tart Squares gets its familiar character from maple syrup, brown sugar, raisins, butter, and vanilla. Apply them while you prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake; the final texture is right when the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender.

PartConventionalLighterWhy
Core methodMore added fat or a heavier proportionFor this Canadian Butter Tart Squares, the calorie-saving change is to prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake. raisins and vanilla stay measured instead of being added by eye.Butter Tart Squares gets its familiar character from maple syrup, brown sugar, raisins, butter, and vanilla. Apply them while you prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake; the final texture is right when the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender.

How the flavor stays

Butter Tart Squares gets its familiar character from maple syrup, brown sugar, raisins, butter, and vanilla. Apply them while you prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake; the final texture is right when the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender.

A cost rule that survives inflation

Canadian Butter Tart Squares uses whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, and eggs for the main yield; maple syrup, brown sugar, and raisins establish its flavour. Reserve the measured butter and vanilla for the stages where they have the greatest effect.

Ingredients for 8

Measure first; timing is part of how this recipe uses less fat.

Butter Tart Squares — prepare the measured ingredients: Butter Tart Squares starts with whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, and eggs. Measure each one, use the form stated in the ingredient list, and keep unlike textures separate until the main method begins.
  • 400 gwhole-wheat flour
  • 220 grolled oats
  • 4eggs
  • 140 gmaple syrup
  • 100 gbrown sugar
  • 60 graisins
  • 24 gbutter
  • 8 gvanilla

Method

Each step includes heat, a visible cue, and a recovery.

Butter Tart Squares — prepare the measured ingredients: Butter Tart Squares starts with whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, and eggs. Measure each one, use the form stated in the ingredient list, and keep unlike textures separate until the main method begins.
1

Step 1 · follow the visible cue

Prepare the measured ingredients

Butter Tart Squares starts with whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, and eggs. Measure each one, use the form stated in the ingredient list, and keep unlike textures separate until the main method begins.

Look for: whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, and eggs match their listed weights and are prepared for the different cooking times required by Butter Tart Squares.

Butter Tart Squares — build the defining flavour: maple syrup, brown sugar, and raisins provide the defining flavour in this Canadian Butter Tart Squares. Add them in the order implied by the method, protecting delicate aromas from direct high heat.
2

Step 2 · follow the visible cue

Build the defining flavour

maple syrup, brown sugar, and raisins provide the defining flavour in this Canadian Butter Tart Squares. Add them in the order implied by the method, protecting delicate aromas from direct high heat.

Look for: maple syrup, brown sugar, and raisins remain identifiable in the aroma of Butter Tart Squares, with no burnt specks or unintended separated fat.

Butter Tart Squares — cook with controlled heat: Prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake.
3

Step 3 · follow the visible cue

Cook with controlled heat

Prebake a thin oat base and pour a shallow maple-raisin custard before a moderate bake.

Look for: the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender.

Butter Tart Squares — finish and verify the texture: butter and vanilla complete Butter Tart Squares. Stop cooking when the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender, rest only as needed for its structure, and divide the batch into eight equal portions.
4

Step 4 · follow the visible cue

Finish and verify the texture

butter and vanilla complete Butter Tart Squares. Stop cooking when the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender, rest only as needed for its structure, and divide the batch into eight equal portions.

Look for: Butter Tart Squares has the expected shape and texture; the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender.

Measured ingredients and four visible cooking stages for Butter Tart Squares
AI-generated instructional imagery; it is not evidence of a physical kitchen test.

Calories at the same serving size

a richer full-sugar portion often reaches 480–650 kcal500 kcal
This recipe345 kcal

155 kcal · 31% lower estimated

The estimate uses the listed ingredients divided into 8 servings. Brand labels, trimming, and the amount left in the pan can change the result.

345 kcalCalories
8gProtein
51gCarbs
12gFat

Keep the leftovers in the same spirit

Cool Butter Tart Squares promptly and refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Keep crisp, fresh, or wet components separate where practical, and reheat only the portion being served.

Cool Butter Tart Squares promptly and refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Keep crisp, fresh, or wet components separate where practical, and reheat only the portion being served.

Frequently asked questions

Can I prepare Butter Tart Squares ahead?

Yes. Measure and prepare the ingredients for Butter Tart Squares in advance, but leave the final cooking, crisping, dressing, or assembly until close to serving. The intended texture is preserved when the top is bronze and the filling is set but still tender.

Does the calorie estimate for Butter Tart Squares include sides?

No. The Butter Tart Squares estimate covers one of eight portions made from the listed ingredients. Bread, rice, drinks, sauces, and other sides must be counted separately.

9:41
CaloNote
Lunch12:30 PMAI Reanalyze
Butter Tart SquaresEdit Mode
345kcal
C 51gP 8gF 12g
72%17%
Ingredients
  • whole-wheat flour400 g
  • rolled oats220 g
  • eggs4
  • maple syrup140 g
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Method and sources

Recipe development and nutrition review: CaloNote Editorial

This editorial recipe uses ingredient-level nutrition estimates and reviewed cooking principles. It is not represented as physically test-cooked, and nutrition is approximate.

Published and last reviewed: August 25, 2026

Make another familiar dinner lighter