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!
If you want to get on and make this Old School British 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?
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Old School Butterscotch Tart
Ingredients
- Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Tart - Shop brought or follow link for our homemade recipe
Butterscotch Filling
- 180 grams (¾ cup) Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) Milk - full fat is best, but any will work
- 180 grams (1 cup) Soft Light Brown Sugar
mix together the below before adding to sauce to prevent lumps
- 4 tbsp Plain Flour
- 6 tablespoon (80 ml) Milk - full fat is best, but any will work
Optional........ your favourite toppings?! Such as popcorn, chocolate, meringue, cream, fruit.
Instructions
- Make your Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Tart case first or use a pre made case from the shop?Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Tart
- Melt the butter with 2 tablespoon of milk in a pan over a low heat.180 grams (¾ cup) Unsalted butter, 2 tbsp (30 ml) Milk
- Once the butter is melted, stir the sugar in and keep stiring at low heat, until sugar is fully dissolved.180 grams (1 cup) Soft Light Brown Sugar
- Place the flour into a small bowl, add 6tbsp milk and mix into a fine paste.4 tbsp Plain Flour, 6 tbsp (80 ml) Milk
- 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.
Video
Nutrition
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 tablespoon 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!
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?
Got a sweet tooth? Why not try our Passion Fruit Thumbprint Cookies for a fruity treat!
Or keep it classic with our Flawless Lemon Drizzle Cake , or warm things up with a comforting Jam Roly Poly Pudding .
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If you're in the mood for something truly British, then look no further than our fabulous collection of recipes.
Seema says
It was my all time favourite!!!
Luke says
What name was it known as at your school, some have told me they called it a Gypsy tart at their school? We are going to be making the Old School style sprinkle cake next!
Blair says
How long will this keep for - if I make it a day or two ahead?
Luke says
Hi Blair,
This butterscotch tart will keep for 4 days when kept covered in the fridge.
It is best made fresh, but if you really needed to, it can be frozen!
You can keep in the freezer for up to 3 months and defrost overnight in the fridge.
Hope this helps?
Luke
Jessica says
Thank you for this recipe, couldn't find it anywhere so I decided to make it.
Perfect
Joanna says
Absolutely delicious butterscotch taste, best dessert I’ve had in ages. So easy, I’ll be making this regularly!
Kay says
Hi Joanna, So glad to hear you enjoyed the butterscotch tart. We are working on some more desserts at the moment!
Swathi says
This old school butterscotch tart looks yum.
Kay says
Oh yes, it is delicous!
Emma Willett says
Hi what size tin is this recipe for please
Kay says
Hi Emma, I use a 23cm / 9inch tin when making my own pastry tart Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Tart The shop bought ready made tarts are slightly smaller (I don't know exact measurement).
Rosario Arecco says
Looks delicious! This is a perfect dessert for the Holidays!
Luke says
Yeah a good one for Christmas!
Amanda Marie Boyle says
This is amazing, and so easy!
Luke says
Glad you think so
Deborah says
I loved this in the 70's at my infant and junior school. Definitely going to make this! Remember it well and had chocolate sprinkles on mine 😍😋
Emily Flint says
I'm not sure why I don't remember this in my childhood but I DO know that I want to make this ASAP. Looks do good!
Luke says
You must! You will love it!
Natalie says
OMG this tart just made me drool, like seriously.... looks amazing. I wish for a slice right now. Lovely recipe, I will definitely make this.
Neil says
Lovely easy to follow recipe ,. There was not a crumb left on the plate !
Katherine says
This is so good! I thought it would be overly sweet, but it was nicely balanced.
Chef Dennis says
My wife loves butterscotch and she thought this was the best she ever had. Thanks for such an easy to make tart recipe!
Heather K says
so simple yet so tasty!
Emily Flint says
Oh my, this looks so good and I love how you added a little fun to your decoration. Can't wait to make this!
Angela says
OMG!! Is delicious! Thank you for this amazing Tart recipe