How many of us grew up loving Pop Tarts? *Raises hand* You know those packaged, fake pies with all types of filling from fruits to chocolate to marshmallows? Today, I’m showing you how easy it is to make your own homemade version and they are SO MUCH better than those preservative filled pies that we gobbled down as kids. To be honest, I’m not sure I can ever eat a boxed Pop Tart again after trying these. Sorry not sorry.
With the kids still home ALL. THE. TIME. (thanks, stupid pandemic!) I’ve been trying to come up with fun snacks or at least something to keep us busy. Last week was Valentine’s Day Heart Peanut Butter Cookies and Cookie Dough Frosting. Today, the snack was homemade Pop Tarts.
What is a Pop Tart?
According to Wikipedia, “Pop-Tarts is a brand of toaster pastries that the Kellogg Company introduced in 1964. Pop-Tarts have a sugary filling sealed inside two layers of thin, rectangular pastry crust. … Although sold pre-cooked, they are designed to be warmed inside a toaster or microwave oven.
Originally not frosted when first introduced in 1964, it was later determined that frosting could withstand the toaster, and the first frosted Pop-Tarts were officially released in 1967. The first Pop-Tarts came out in four different flavors: strawberry, blueberry, brown sugar cinnamon, and apple currant.
So, it’s basically a hand-held pie with frosting that you throw in the toaster for breakfast or a snack. I wouldn’t really say it’s a true pastry crust and they nailed it with the “sugary filling” because we aren’t sure what is exactly in the boxed Pop Tarts filling.
Pop Tart Fillings
While I’m showing you how to make Strawberry Pop Tarts today, there are many other fillings that you can try. Nutella, blueberry, Nutella/marshmallow, and raspberry are just a few great filings that are perfect inside a flaky crust.
Pop Tart Toppings
Sure, I’m partial to sprinkles but that doesn’t mean you can’t leave your Pop Tarts topping-less. Yep, you can leave off the icing and sprinkles and make ones just like the original Pop Tarts of 1964. Or top the Pop Tarts with marshmallow, other types of glaze, or crushed pretzels would be amazing on a Nutella Pop Tart.
Can I Make Homemade Pie Crust for these Pop Tarts?
Of course, you can make homemade pie crust. I didn’t but that doesn’t mean you can’t. If you have time and want to make MORE Pop Tarts than just 6, I would suggest making your own pie crust.
This Homemade Pie Crust recipe is a great one!
Do Pop Tarts have to be Rectangle?
Absolutely not. You can put some cookie cutter to good use and make all kinds of shapes. I would stick to basic shapes. I used my left over dough to make a few Pop Tart mini hearts and they were SO cute!
Ingredients
For full information on ingredients and quantities, please see the recipe card below.
RECIPE VIDEO
DIRECTIONS
- To make the filling, put the strawberry jam and finely chopped fresh strawberries into a saucepan and heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir periodically. While the strawberries are heating, whisk the cornstarch with 1 tsp vanilla and 1 TBSP water until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the jam. Cook over medium heat for another 4-5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Roll out one pie dough on a floured surface. Roll into a rectangle as much as you can. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 6 even rectangles. Repeat with second pie dough roll so that you have 12 rectangles.
- Place 6 rectangles on a baking sheet (that is covered with parchment paper).
- Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry jam mixture into the middle of each pastry. Spread the filling around but be sure to leave border around the edges to seal the pastries.
- Cover each square with the remaining dough squares. Crimp all the way around the pastries with a fork to seal them.
- Brush the top of the pastries with the egg wash.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool on a baking rack.
- To make the glaze, mix the powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla until smooth.
- Spoon the glaze over each cooled homemade Pop Tart and top with sprinkles.
FAQs
Strawberry, Nutella, blueberry, Nutella/marshmallow, and raspberry are just a few great filings that are perfect inside a flaky crust.
Of course, you can make homemade pie crust. I didn’t but that doesn’t mean you can’t. If you have time and want to make MORE Pop Tarts than just 6, I would suggest making your own pie crust.
Those Pop Tart holes are a crucial part of every Pop–Tart’s makeup because without them, the steam would collect in the pastry as it toasted, resulting in a soggy Pop–Tart. No one likes a soggy Pop Tart.
Absolutely. Wrap them in plastic wrap and put inside a Ziploc freezer bag and pop them in the freezer.
Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 3/4 cup strawberry jam
- 1/2 cup strawberries finely chopped
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
For the Pie Crust
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 egg beaten
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 TBSP heavy cream (or milk)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- To make the filling, put the strawberry jam and finely chopped fresh strawberries into a saucepan and heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir periodically. While the strawberries are heating, whisk the cornstarch with 1 tsp vanilla and 1 TBSP water until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the jam. Cook over medium heat for another 4-5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Roll out one pie dough on a floured surface. Roll into a rectangle as much as you can. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 6 even rectangles. Repeat with second pie dough roll so that you have 12 rectangles.
- Place 6 rectangles on a baking sheet (that is covered with parchment paper). Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry jam mixture into the middle of each pastry. Spread the filling around but be sure to leave border around the edges to seal the pastries.
- Cover each square with the remaining dough squares. Crimp all the way around the pastries with a fork to seal them.
- Brush the top of the pastries with the egg wash.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool on a baking rack.
GLAZE
- To make the glaze, mix the powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla until smooth. Spoon the glaze over each cooled Pop Tart and top with sprinkles.