The much loved Kawartha Butter Tart Factory opened a brand new location in Peterborough and they’re serving up more than just their famous tarts!
Cathy Smith, owner (and chief butter tart taster), opened the space to help increase production because demand was once again getting too high for the original Douro spot. Since 2015, Cathy has been baking sweets treats for locals and cottagers. It all started in the restaurant attached to her home in Warsaw, but quickly grew into The Butter Tart Factory. During the summer months, the original shop would be literally bursting at the seams to keep up with demand. Now, with the Peterborough location, she’s able to bake more tarts, more often and expand into other offerings.
It started with her famous tarts.
Now, we know everyone has very specific preferences when it comes to butter tarts. In fact, we’ve almost come to blows with lovers of this local pastry over what can even be classified as a butter tart! Cathy’s tarts have a flaky crust, it’s thin and even but strong enough to hold a generous amount of filling. The filling is firm and eggier than most. The top gets that signature caramelized crunch butter tarts and known for. Cathy and her crew are smart about their flavours – there’s nothing to crazy, just combos that work. The maple bacon and maple walnut are particularly popular amongst locals.
For her maple flavoured tarts, Cathy finishes them with maple syrup once they’ve cooled, “so the maple goodness doesn’t cook out during baking” she says. She uses syrup from a local sugar bush, just a few kilometers away from her Douro shop.
Butter tart lovers have been coming here for years, but we showed up for the fritters. These fresh fried doughnuts have a texture and taste similar to paczki Polish doughtnuts). They’re covered in a slightly lemony glaze and then stuffed with whipped cream – and extras like Baileys custard or jam. Pictured below is the classic with cream. It is the perfect bite.
At the shop, you’ll also find pies available by the tin or half-pie. There’s savoury treats like pizza bread sticks and cheddar biscuits too. On weekends, they bakery crew makes sticky chelsea buns generously topped with pecans and cherries. In the freezer, you’ll find locally made perogies, casseroles, cheeses and single-herd milks from Sargent Family Dairy & Creamery in Hampton.
If you’re in a rush (or worried they’ll sell out – a very real possibility!), you can pre-order online for pick up. That way, you won’t be disappointed when that specific flavour is sold out.
LOOKING FOR MORE SWEET TASTES OF SPRING IN KAWARTHAS NORTHUMBERLAND?
This content was created with support from Kawarthas Northumberland. For more ways to eat, stay and play in Kawarthas Northumberland, visit: kawarthasnorthumberland.ca. Follow @PerfectWknds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
