Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Indulging in homemade treats can be a joyful experience, and nothing says comfort quite like freshly baked pop tarts. These delightful pastries have become a nostalgic favorite for many, evoking memories of childhood breakfasts and after-school snacks. While store-bought versions are convenient, there’s something truly special about creating your own pop tarts from scratch. This guide will walk you through the process of making delicious strawberry pop tarts, featuring a buttery pastry crust filled with a sweet strawberry mixture and topped with a delightful icing. Not only are these pop tarts delicious, but they also offer a fun and rewarding baking experience that you can share with family and friends.

Discover the joy of baking with this step-by-step guide to making homemade strawberry pop tarts. Enjoy the delightful experience of crafting flaky pastry filled with sweet, jam-like strawberry goodness topped with a smooth icing. This nostalgic treat can bring back fond memories or create new ones shared with family and friends. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, these homemade pop tarts are sure to impress everyone at your table.

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Ingredients

For the Pastry Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

1 large egg

2 tablespoons cold water

For the Strawberry Filling:

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk (or more for desired consistency)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: Sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

Make the Pastry Dough:

In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the chilled, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in the egg and cold water until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Prepare the Strawberry Filling:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the diced strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Stir gently and cook until the mixture starts to thicken (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool.

Roll Out the Dough:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll out one of the discs of dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out rectangles measuring 3x4 inches (or your preferred size). You’ll need 8 rectangles (4 for the top and 4 for the bottom of the tarts).

Assemble the Pop Tarts:

Place half of the dough rectangles on a lined baking sheet. Spoon a tablespoon of the strawberry filling onto the center of each rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges. Top each with another rectangle and gently press the edges with a fork to seal.

Prepare for Baking:

Using a sharp knife, make a few small slits on top of each pop tart to allow steam to escape. Optional: brush the tops with a beaten egg for a golden finish.

Bake:

Bake the pop tarts in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow cooling on a wire rack.

Make the Icing:

In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed.

Frost and Decorate:

Once the pop tarts have cooled, drizzle or spread the icing over the top and add sprinkles if desired.

Enjoy:

Let the icing set for a few minutes, then slice, serve, and enjoy your homemade strawberry pop tarts!

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 30 mins | 1 hour | 8 pop tarts