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A plate of freshly baked homemade pop tarts with frosting

Classic Homemade Pop Tarts

Enjoy a taste of childhood with these homemade pop tarts, featuring a flaky pastry crust and a sweet fruit filling, all finished with a simple glaze.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings: 6 tarts
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, very cold and cut into ½-inch cubes
  • ½ cup ice water
  • 1 large egg, whisked
Filling
  • 1 cup fruit preserves or jam (strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional, for runny jam
Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk (or water/lemon juice)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
  • Sprinkles optional

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • pastry blender or fingertips
  • plastic wrap
  • rolling pin
  • parchment paper
  • wire rack

Method
 

Prepare the Dough
  1. Whisk together flour and salt, then cut in very cold butter until coarse crumbs form. Gradually add ice water and mix until the dough just comes together, being careful not to overmix.
  2. Divide the dough into two flattened discs, wrap them in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Roll and Cut
  1. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to 1/8-inch thick and trim to a 9x12-inch rectangle. Cut into 6 smaller 3x4-inch rectangles.
  2. Repeat with the second dough disc to create a total of 12 dough rectangles.
Fill and Seal
  1. Place 6 dough rectangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spoon 1-2 tablespoons of fruit filling onto the center of each, leaving a ½-inch border. If jam is runny, mix with cornstarch first.
  2. Brush the edges of the dough with whisked egg and top with the remaining 6 dough rectangles.
Crimp and Bake
  1. Gently press to seal the edges and then crimp all around the perimeter of each tart with a fork to prevent leaks. Prick the top of each tart a few times for steam vents.
  2. Refrigerate the baking sheet for 15 minutes while preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake and Glaze
  1. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and slightly puffy, then cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  2. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla (if using) to make a smooth glaze. Drizzle over cooled Pop Tarts, add sprinkles if desired, and let the glaze set before serving.

Notes

For best results, ensure your butter is very cold when making the dough. You can also experiment with different jam flavors for a variety of pop tart creations!