I got love for you if you were born in the 80’s?! Who remembers this delicious Old School Butterscotch tart?!
I have fond memories of this fantastic rich sticky, butterscotch tart. Usually served up with whipped cream or custard in the school canteen!
I have included a slideshow below of this Old School British School dessert below
If you want to get on and make this Butterscotch Tart at home scroll to the bottom for a printable recipe sheet, containing all measurements and instructions.
However, if you want some extra tips and tricks read on below.
Love to make it for my children (and us!) to show them what school desserts were like before the 2005 guidelines kicked in.
I do agree with the idea of healthier school meals but this dessert is sadly becoming a missed childhood memory!
See below for step by step guide of how to make this tart yourself at home.
It is really very easy and quick aside from the cooling time!
How to make Old School Butterscoth Tart?
Simply melt the butter with 30ml milk on low heat (I use whole milk but any will work) pour in soft light brown sugar, and stir , watch as it marbles together into a caramel colour.
Mix the remaining 70ml of milk with 4 tbsp of flour making sure to stir well, so no lumps. Slowly pour into the butterscotch mixture whilst whisking it (to prevent lumps from forming).
What is the difference between Butterscotch Sauce and Caramel Sauce?
Caramel is made using granulated white sugar, whereas butterscotch uses light brown sugar. That is the only difference!
Help my Butterscotch sauce is Lumpy?
In the early days of making this, I made the mistake of not stiring the flour in with the milk, which made a lumpy Butterscotch sauce…. please if this happens to you do not give up!!
Simply use a sieve to push the sauce through the lumps.
Making own or using store-bought Pastry case for a tart?
Store-bought pastry tart is a quicker option, but if you did want to make your own pastry cases check out our Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Tart post for all the tips, tricks and how to make your own perfect dessert shorcrust pastry!
If you do make your own, make it before you make the sauce, as the sauce needs to be poured in whilst it is warm!
Pour the (still warm) butterscotch sauce into the tart case. Just pour all in the middle, it will spread out to the edges by itself!!
Cover without letting anything touch the sauce (we use a microwave splash cover) Place in the fridge to set, for about 3 hours.
That’s it your ready to serve!!
Tastes great with whipped cream, squirty spray cream, double cream or custard!
Alternatively, take it a step further and try adding toffee popcorn and Mini Jazzies! Mix it up using your favourite toppings!?
We used Popcorn Shed, Mini Pop Toffee Popcorn to decorate, fantastic toffee flavour, the popcorn is half the size of regular pop corn so perfect for decorating and also great for snacking on too!
So, there you have it, feel free to share this amazing Old School Dessert with friends you went to school with, for nostalgic memories together!
Old School Butterscotch Tart
Ingredients
- Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Tart Shop brought or follow link for our homemade recipe
Butterscotch Filling
- 180 grams (3/4 cup) Unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) Milk full fat is best, but any will work
- 180 grams (1 cup) Soft Light Brown Sugar
mix togther the below before adding to sauce to prevent lumps
- 4 tbsp Plain Flour
- 6 tbsp (80 ml) Milk full fat is best, but any will work
Optional…….. your favourite toppings?! Such as popcorn, chocolate, merigue, cream, fruit.
Instructions
- Make your Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Tart case first or use a pre made case from the shop?
- Melt the butter with 2 tbsp of milk in a pan over a low heat.
- Once the butter is melted, stir the sugar in and keep stiring at low heat, until sugar is fully dissolved.
- Place the flour into a small bowl, add 6tbsp milk and mix into a fine paste.
- Pour the flour paste slowly, bit by bit in to the pan whilst constantly whisking, for 2-3 mins until its thickened.
- Take off heat and allow to cool slightly for 5 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into the tart case until evenly spread and place in the fridge for 3-4 hrs to set, before serving.
Nutrition
Hope you enjoyed this Nostalgic, Old School Butterscotch Tart as much as we do!
Let us know in the comments how you get on and if there are any other recipes you would like us to recreate?
Why not try out our passion fruit thumbprint cookie recipe if you like sweet things!?
Or our Flawless Lemon Drizzle Cake for another Great British dessert recipe!
Tried this was really lovely especially with cream or ice cream
Glad you enjoyed it, our fav is cream!
Can alternative (nut milk) be used?
Yes I think almond or coconut milk will make a good sub, I will be making a vegan version as I have had a few requests for one now.
Is the recipe best using full fat milk or would cream be even better?
I have never tried cream but I would think single cream would work well?
What size pastry case is used for the basic recipe? Would be helpful to put this on the method details.
Will never forget this old school pud. One of the few great things of school back in the day.
I would always go up for more….. if there was any left over!
I followed the recipe but it did not have that real butterscotch taste that it did as I remember it from school sadly it’s Come out the same look and consistency however just not the butterscotch taste .
Hi Rachael, Thanks for your message, it seems these dinner ladies all made it differently? For me this is how I remember it!
I know that you can buy butterscotch flavouring? (Similar to vanilla essence bottle)
Maybe try adding a couple of drops of that and see if brings out a richer butterscotch flavour you remember?
Let me know? x
I used to be a cook supervisor in the school meals service 1970’s , we worked very hard, everything was made from healthy fresh ingredients, This was a great favourite of the children’s and teachers. If it was fattening food, the kids always worked it off with sports activities.This recipe is one of the nicest I have found, beautiful. YUMMY
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your comment, so glad you found this as yummy as we do!
Totally agree, kids will always work it off! My kids love this recipe just as I did when I was a kid!
I made this today and was abit more runny than I wanted. What did I do wrong? Wasn’t quite as set as I wanted after an overnight refrigeration. Thank you. 😀
Oh dear, it’s so disappointing when things don’t turn out?
The flour is what thickens it up and 4 tbsp always works for me? Maybe add an extra tbsp next time to get it a bit thicker? Or stick with 4 tbsp but use less milk?
Did you keep it on the heat whilst you added the flour paste? It needs to stay on the heat for a couple of minutes to thicken…..
This looks awesome. Pinned it and can’t wait to try.
Thank you! 🙂
I’ve always loved butterscotch, and though I didn’t grow up with this old-fashioned tart, am sure I would have great memories of it if I did. I’d probably go with big dollops of whipped cream.
Yes whipped cream is a good choice! 😉
hmm this looks good, is it possible to use coconut milk instead as im vegan
I have been asked this a few times now! I am going to give it a try next time, as I think it will be lovely with coconut milk! Will keep you updated 😉
This tart looks absolutely perfect. I love all the ways you can customize it 🙂
You can choose your fav toppings to add to it, but deep down I love as it is!!!
What a great recipe. It’s delish! Thank you again!
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I totally remember butterscotch tarts from when I was a kid. Can’t wait to try this for a bit of nostalgia!
Made the filling today and early indications (ie. I ate the filling that wouldn’t fit in the pastry case) are very good! It was my favourite dessert in primary school and I’ve never forgotten the taste. I’ll be over the moon if it’s the same! Thank you for posting 🙂
Sheena, that’s so good to hear! Was always my favourite too! Awaiting the final verdict from you…… 🙂
Can you only buy butterscotch essence on line