If you love a good nostalgic treat with a homemade twist, I’ve got something you’re going to adore. This Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe is exactly the kind of recipe that brings back those cozy childhood vibes but with so much more flavor and love in each flaky bite. I absolutely love how these turn out – flaky, sweet, and bursting with strawberry goodness. Trust me, once you make these at home, you’ll never wanna buy the boxed kind again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses just 3 basic ingredients for the crust and filling, plus a quick homemade icing – no fancy stuff needed.
- Quick to Make: You’ll have these pop tarts baked and ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
- Playful and Fun: The heart shapes and colorful icing make this recipe a hit with kids and family for any occasion.
- Better Than Boxed: Way more flavorful, fresher, and customizable than any store-bought pop tart you’ve ever tried.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create that perfect flaky texture and sweet strawberry filling. I usually grab the refrigerated pie crusts instead of making dough from scratch – it saves time and still gives you that buttery, flaky quality every time.
- Refrigerated Pie Crusts: Make sure they’re at room temperature; this helps you roll and cut without tearing.
- Strawberry Jam: Choose your favorite jam – chunky or smooth, both work beautifully.
- Egg: For the egg wash to give your pop tarts that gorgeous golden finish.
- Confectioners Sugar: Essential for making the silky smooth icing.
- Milk: Just enough to thin out the icing for a perfect drizzle.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle warm flavor to the icing that complements the strawberry jam perfectly.
- Red Food Coloring: Just a drop for that pretty pinkish tint to your icing.
- Sprinkles: For the fun, festive touch – go for red or pink to match the strawberry theme.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your personal taste—don’t hesitate to get creative!
- Flavor Swap: I once swapped out the strawberry jam for raspberry preserves, and the tartness was just perfect—it’s an easy way to change things up.
- Vegan Version: Use a plant-based pie crust and substitute the egg wash with almond milk or a flax egg to make these vegan-friendly.
- Fancier Shapes: Instead of hearts, try stars or rectangles if you want classic pop tart looks; kids love choosing their own shapes.
- Less Sweet Icing: If you prefer, reduce the confectioners sugar a bit and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a little zing.
How to Make Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Cut Your Hearts
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F so it’s ready to go. Lay your refrigerated pie crust out on a clean surface—whether that’s a silicone baking mat, parchment paper, or a lightly floured countertop, whatever works best for you. Now grab a heart-shaped cookie cutter and start cutting out your shapes as close together as you can. I like to rotate the cutter between cuts to maximize how many pieces I get. Don’t worry about the scraps; just gather them, knead gently, and roll them out again to get more hearts!
Step 2: Add the Strawberry Jam
Place half the hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet—these are your bases. Spoon about one tablespoon of strawberry jam right in the center of each one. It doesn’t have to spread perfectly because the jam will naturally spread when baked, but don’t go too close to the edges or you’ll get messy filling oozing out.
Step 3: Seal with Egg Wash
Beat your egg lightly in a small bowl to make an egg wash. Use a pastry brush (or your clean finger—no judgement here) to brush around the edges of the jammed hearts. This little trick makes the top and bottom crusts stick together like magic. Now place the remaining heart shapes on top, aligning edges, then gently press down around the edges with your finger followed by crimping with a fork to seal everything.
Step 4: Vent and Glaze
Use the fork to poke about 3-4 small holes on the top of each tart. This helps steam escape so your pop tarts don’t puff up weirdly. After that, brush the tops with egg wash again for that golden finish during baking.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake your pop tarts at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until they’re golden brown and look flaky. I like to let mine cool completely on a wire rack before moving on to icing—the crust firms up and you avoid melting the frosting.
Step 6: Whip Up the Icing
While your pop tarts cool, whisk together the confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add that single drop of red food coloring to get that perfect pink hue—it’s such a cute finishing touch! If the icing is too thick, just add a little more milk to thin it out to a spreadable consistency.
Step 7: Decorate and Enjoy
Spoon or spread the icing on top of each pop tart. I use the back of a spoon or a small spatula to get a smooth finish. Immediately sprinkle with red and pink sprinkles for that festive, fun look. And that’s it—you’re ready to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
- Room Temperature Crust: I always let the pie crust warm up a bit before rolling to avoid tearing or cracking.
- Don’t Overfill: Less is more with jam—too much can ooze out and make a mess while baking.
- Edge Sealing Matters: Sealing well with the fork prevents any jam leaks and keeps the tarts looking neat.
- Cool Before Icing: Patience pays off here to keep the icing from melting and sliding off.
How to Serve Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with the pink and red sprinkles because they add just the right amount of crunch and color. Occasionally, I’ll throw some edible glitter on top for a fun brunch with friends – the kids absolutely go wild for it.
Side Dishes
These pop tarts pair wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad or a small cup of Greek yogurt for breakfast. If it’s a snack, a glass of cold milk or your favorite coffee really complements that strawberry sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or Valentine’s Day, I like arranging these in a pretty cake box or on a tiered stand. Add some fresh strawberries around the edges for that extra pop of freshness and color—it makes an inviting display and everyone feels special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover pop tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps them from drying out but I’ve noticed they’re still tasty even after a day or so.
Freezing
If I’m not eating all at once, I freeze them without icing. Just wrap each tart individually in plastic wrap and freeze in a zip-top bag. When I want one, it thaws perfectly in about 30 minutes at room temp.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes—this revives the crispiness without melting the icing too quickly.
FAQs
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Can I make this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe with homemade pie crust?
Absolutely! Using homemade pie crust is a delicious option if you have the time. Just make sure your dough is well-chilled and rolled out to about 1/8 inch thickness for the best flaky texture.
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What jam alternatives can I use besides strawberry for this recipe?
You can swap strawberry jam for any fruit jam or preserves you love – raspberry, blueberry, apricot, even a lemon curd for a citrusy surprise. Just keep the filling consistency similar so it doesn’t leak during baking.
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How do I avoid soggy pop tarts?
Make sure to seal the edges well with egg wash and crimp with a fork. Also, don’t add too much jam; a tablespoon per tart is plenty. Baking them at a high temperature helps keep the crust crisp and flaky.
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Can I make these pop tarts ahead of time for a party?
Yes! You can prepare and bake them a day before, then add the icing and sprinkles right before serving to keep the icing fresh and vibrant.
Final Thoughts
I truly can’t say enough about how much joy this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe brings to my kitchen. They’re not only a nostalgic treat but a simple way to show yourself some love with a fresh, homemade breakfast or snack. I encourage you to give this recipe a try—it’s really fun to make, easy to customize, and so rewarding to see that golden crust with gooey strawberry jam inside. Plus, your family or guests will be raving about them just like mine do. So grab your pie crusts and jam, and let’s get baking!
Print
Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 10 Pop Tarts
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade Pop Tarts recipe offers a fun and easy way to create delightful heart-shaped pastries filled with sweet strawberry jam, topped with a vibrant red icing and festive sprinkles. Crafted from simple premade pie crusts and a smooth vanilla glaze, these Pop Tarts are perfect for a special breakfast treat or themed celebration, combining a tender flaky crust with a sweet jammy center.
Ingredients
Pop Tart Pastry
- 2 Refrigerated Premade Pie Crusts (at room temperature)
- Strawberry Jam (approximately 10 tablespoons)
- 1 Egg (for egg wash)
Icing
- 1/2 Cup Confectioners Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Milk
- 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Drop Red Food Coloring
- Sprinkles (red and pink, for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the Pop Tarts.
- Prepare Pie Crust: On a clean work surface such as a bakers mat, parchment paper, or lightly floured counter, unroll the premade pie crust carefully without tearing.
- Cut Shapes: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many heart shapes as possible from the first pie crust. Place these hearts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gather leftover dough, knead gently, roll out to about 1/8 inch thickness, and cut additional hearts until all dough is used.
- Add Filling: Spoon about one tablespoon of strawberry jam into the center of half of the hearts. No need to spread it; it will even out during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl and use a brush to apply the egg wash around the edges of the jam-filled hearts. This helps seal the pop tarts firmly.
- Seal Pop Tarts: Place a plain heart-shaped dough piece over each jam-filled heart. Seal the edges by pressing with your finger, then crimp the edges with a fork all around to ensure they are well sealed.
- Poke Vents and Final Egg Wash: Use the fork to poke small holes on the top crust of each Pop Tart to allow steam to escape while baking. Brush the tops with the egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake: Bake the Pop Tarts in the preheated oven at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool: Transfer the baked Pop Tarts to a wire rack and let them cool completely before icing.
- Prepare Icing: Whisk together the confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add one drop of red food coloring and mix until evenly colored.
- Ice and Decorate: Using a spoon, spread the icing over the cooled Pop Tarts, smoothing it out with the back of the spoon or a small spatula. Sprinkle with red and pink sprinkles for a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure pie crust is at room temperature before rolling out to prevent cracking.
- You can substitute strawberry jam with your favorite fruit preserves or fillings.
- The egg wash not only helps seal the edges but also creates a shiny golden color on the crust.
- The small holes poked on top prevent the filling from bursting out during baking by allowing steam to escape.
- Let the Pop Tarts cool completely before icing to avoid melting the glaze.
- Store leftover Pop Tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Pop Tart
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
