So let me start by saying - if I ever have to taste another butter tart again for the rest of my life, I will quite literally die. Expire. Throw up. Something. I have personally tasted at least 100 butter tarts across Ontario in the last month. Which feels like at least 50 too many.
Now I know what you're thinking - don't all buttertarts taste the same? Good God, no. There are grainy butter tarts, sugary ones, gooey and liquidy and yes, buttery. Raisins and walnuts and maple and combinations of all three. We Canadians are quite passionate about our butter tarts, I have to tell you. Heck we've even got a butter tart trail through Wellington County. Ask anyone where they sell the best butter tarts and they'll have an answer.
Luckily for you, you don't have to ask anymore. Because I think I've tasted just about all the small town butter tarts across this province. So much so that when my sons and I were travelling across Prince Edward County my son Cal said, "Mom, can I just eat this butter tart or do I have to actually taste it?" Which makes us the experts, I think. We've suffered for our art.
And the winners are (we couldn't pick just one...)
OVERALL WINNER - Buddha Dog in Picton, Prince Edward County (http://www.buddhafoodha.com/) - Maple tarts by Nora Westervelt. Quite simply perfect. Even my son Jack, who actually hates butter tarts loved these ones. The texture was perfect. Crust was light. And the hint of maple...gorgeous. Nora does one seasonal tart (that week was blueberry) and one classic every week. She is a butter tart genius - well done, Nora.
BEST CRUST - Williamsford Pie Company (http://www.williamsfordpiecompany.ca/)
This adorable little store/Post Office in teeny tiny Williamsford, Grey County is a gem. Run by a woman who looks to be about 17 but isn't, everything is good. Her lemon buttermilk pie especially. But her crust...my oh my. Light and flaky and perpetually warm, my friend Laura gave it the highest compliment of all - 'This is better than my mom's".
Sorry Laura's mom.
MOST UNIQUE FILLING - Shepherd's Watch 100 Mile Market in Arthur Ontario. Try the raspberry maple walnut tarts. Divine. Cute little market too....owned by Lynda Sauve and Carol Sampson. The prices are even reasonable.
So there you have it. September is cinnamon bun month....I challenge all you small town bakers to let me know where you are so we can try you out. The buns to beat right now (so to speak)?
Chesterfield's Homegrown Cafe in Picton. (http://www.chesterfieldscafe.ca/). Perfect, perfect, perfect. And I do love me a good cinnamon bun. These were almost as edible as the owner's baby, Milene. When you go - and please, please go - check out the washroom. It's the nicest washroom in the entire cafe world.
Now I know what you're thinking - don't all buttertarts taste the same? Good God, no. There are grainy butter tarts, sugary ones, gooey and liquidy and yes, buttery. Raisins and walnuts and maple and combinations of all three. We Canadians are quite passionate about our butter tarts, I have to tell you. Heck we've even got a butter tart trail through Wellington County. Ask anyone where they sell the best butter tarts and they'll have an answer.
Luckily for you, you don't have to ask anymore. Because I think I've tasted just about all the small town butter tarts across this province. So much so that when my sons and I were travelling across Prince Edward County my son Cal said, "Mom, can I just eat this butter tart or do I have to actually taste it?" Which makes us the experts, I think. We've suffered for our art.
And the winners are (we couldn't pick just one...)
OVERALL WINNER - Buddha Dog in Picton, Prince Edward County (http://www.buddhafoodha.com/) - Maple tarts by Nora Westervelt. Quite simply perfect. Even my son Jack, who actually hates butter tarts loved these ones. The texture was perfect. Crust was light. And the hint of maple...gorgeous. Nora does one seasonal tart (that week was blueberry) and one classic every week. She is a butter tart genius - well done, Nora.
BEST CRUST - Williamsford Pie Company (http://www.williamsfordpiecompany.ca/)
This adorable little store/Post Office in teeny tiny Williamsford, Grey County is a gem. Run by a woman who looks to be about 17 but isn't, everything is good. Her lemon buttermilk pie especially. But her crust...my oh my. Light and flaky and perpetually warm, my friend Laura gave it the highest compliment of all - 'This is better than my mom's".
Sorry Laura's mom.
MOST UNIQUE FILLING - Shepherd's Watch 100 Mile Market in Arthur Ontario. Try the raspberry maple walnut tarts. Divine. Cute little market too....owned by Lynda Sauve and Carol Sampson. The prices are even reasonable.
So there you have it. September is cinnamon bun month....I challenge all you small town bakers to let me know where you are so we can try you out. The buns to beat right now (so to speak)?
Chesterfield's Homegrown Cafe in Picton. (http://www.chesterfieldscafe.ca/). Perfect, perfect, perfect. And I do love me a good cinnamon bun. These were almost as edible as the owner's baby, Milene. When you go - and please, please go - check out the washroom. It's the nicest washroom in the entire cafe world.
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