Description
Enjoy these delightful homemade Pop Tarts featuring a flaky buttery crust and customizable sweet fillings like strawberry, raspberry, or Nutella. This fun breakfast treat includes a simple homemade dough, easy jam filling, and a sweet powdered sugar glaze, perfect for a charming start to your day or a tasty snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Use gluten-free flour for an alternative)
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar (Substitute brown sugar for a richer flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Table Salt (Enhances overall flavor)
- 1 large Egg (for the dough)
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Cut into ½” chunks; keep cold)
- 3 tablespoons Ice Cold Water (Helps dough come together)
Fillings
- ½ cup Jam of Choice (Options include strawberry, raspberry, or Nutella)
Icing and Decoration
- 1 large Egg (beaten, for brushing)
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (Base for icing)
- 2 teaspoons Whole Milk (Substitute almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- Food Coloring (Optional)
- Sprinkles (Optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and table salt. Add one egg and pulse until mixed. Then add cold butter chunks and ice water, pulsing briefly until the dough just forms without overmixing.
- Knead and Chill: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and gently knead until smooth. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Shape the Dough: Roll the chilled dough into two rectangles about ¼ inch thick. Cut each rectangle into four 3” x 4” rectangles, making a total of eight pieces.
- Fill and Seal: Place one rectangle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon a generous tablespoon of your chosen jam onto it, then cover with another rectangle. Press edges together firmly with a fork to seal. Poke a few small holes on top to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Chill Again: Refrigerate the sealed tarts for an additional 30 minutes to help them maintain shape while baking.
- Preheat and Brush: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the tops of the chilled tarts with the beaten egg to promote browning and shine.
- Bake: Bake the pop tarts for approximately 20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the crust is cooked through.
- Prepare Icing: While the tarts cool, whisk powdered sugar and whole milk together in a bowl until smooth. Add food coloring if desired for a decorative touch.
- Decorate: Once the pop tarts are completely cool, spread the icing over the tops and decorate with sprinkles if you like for a festive finish.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of gluten-free flour blend.
- Use cold butter and ice water to ensure the dough stays flaky and tender.
- Do not overmix the dough in the food processor to avoid tough pastry.
- Allowing the dough to chill between steps helps prevent spreading and keeps the pop tarts crisp.
- Feel free to experiment with different fillings like Nutella, jam mixtures, or even savory options for variety.
- Ensure pop tarts are completely cool before icing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- Store baked pop tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
