Macadamia and Wattleseed Butterscotch Tart
A rich, caramel-flavored butterscotch tart with crunchy roasted macadamias and the subtle earthiness of wattleseed in the crust, inspired by Australian native ingredients. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers plain flour, ground wattleseed, chilled and cubed unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 200 g plain flour
- 2 tbsp ground wattleseed
- 120 g, chilled and cubed unsalted butter
- 50 g icing sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 100 g, roughly chopped roasted macadamia nuts
- 200 g brown sugar
- 100 g unsalted butter (for filling)
- 150 ml thickened cream
- 2 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a food processor, pulse 200 g plain flour, 2 tbsp ground wattleseed, 50 g icing sugar, and 120 g chilled, cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add 1 egg yolk and pulse until the dough just comes together.
- Step 2: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead to combine. Press the dough into a 23 cm tart pan with removable base, trimming excess edges. Prick the base with a fork and freeze for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Line the tart shell with baking paper and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 minutes, remove beans and paper, then bake for an additional 5 minutes until golden. Let cool.
- Step 4: For the filling, in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt 100 g unsalted butter, 200 g brown sugar, 150 ml thickened cream, and 2 tbsp golden syrup over medium heat, stirring until smooth and bubbling. Cook for 5-7 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes, and 100 g roughly chopped roasted macadamia nuts.
- Step 6: Pour the butterscotch filling into the cooled tart shell and refrigerate for at least 3 hours until set. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Macadamia and Wattleseed Butterscotch Tart take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Macadamia and Wattleseed Butterscotch Tart?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Macadamia and Wattleseed Butterscotch Tart?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Macadamia and Wattleseed Butterscotch Tart for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Macadamia and Wattleseed Butterscotch Tart?
Australian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
