If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy a warm, flaky, and sweet treat straight from your own kitchen, then you’re going to adore this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe. I absolutely love how these little heart-shaped pastries combine buttery pie crust with luscious strawberry jam and a drizzle of rosy icing – it’s like a nostalgic twist on a childhood favorite, but way better because you made it yourself. Stick around, because I’m about to share everything you need to know to make these fan-freaking-tastic delights with ease!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortlessly Delicious: Using premade pie crust saves time without sacrificing that homemade charm.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Shaping these into hearts and adding sprinkles makes baking an enjoyable activity for all ages.
- Perfectly Flaky & Sweet: The jam filling and smooth icing create a perfect balance of flavors every time.
- Customizable & Creative: You can swap the strawberry jam for other favorites or change shapes to suit any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of ingredients to get this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe off the ground, and many of them you might already have. The simplicity of these components lets the fresh strawberry jam shine, perfectly complemented by the flaky crust and sweet icing.
- Refrigerated Premade Pie Crusts: Opt for good quality pie crust that’s at room temperature to make rolling and cutting much easier.
- Strawberry Jam: Choose your favorite – homemade or store-bought, but make sure it’s not too runny to avoid soggy tarts.
- Egg: For the egg wash that helps seal and give a golden sheen to the crust.
- Confectioners Sugar: Essential for that smooth, sweet icing glaze on top.
- Milk: Just a little to thin the icing for perfect spreading.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm depth to the icing.
- Red Food Coloring: Just a drop to give the icing a lovely pink hue—totally optional but fun!
- Sprinkles: Choose festive red and pink ones to complete that eye-catching look.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to sneak in some healthy tweaks or make it perfectly suited for any holiday, the possibilities are endless.
- Jam Swaps: Try raspberry, blueberry, or even apricot jam—each gives the tarts a unique twist that’s just as delicious.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free pie crust to make these pop tarts accessible for everyone at the table.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Add a drizzle of melted chocolate instead of icing for a rich, decadent finish.
- Shape Play: I’ve made them as hearts, stars, and even circles—each shape brings a fresh look, especially for holidays or birthdays.
How to Make Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Surface
First things first, set your oven to 400°F and gather your tools—a baking mat, parchment paper, or floured counter works great to roll out the pie crust. Working with your dough at room temperature is key here to avoid cracks and make cutting smooth and easy.
Step 2: Cut Out Heart Shapes
Unroll one pie crust and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to punch out as many hearts as you can. I usually rotate the cutter carefully to maximize dough usage, so nothing goes to waste. When you finish the first round of cutting, gather any scraps, knead gently, roll it out again to about 1/8 inch thickness, and cut more hearts. Repeat with the second pie crust.
Step 3: Add the Strawberry Jam Filling
Place half of your hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spoon about one tablespoon of strawberry jam onto the center of each. I don’t fuss about spreading the jam evenly here; it will naturally spread during baking, and the slight pockets are delightful.
Step 4: Seal and Crimp Your Pop Tarts
Beat an egg in a small bowl to create an egg wash. Brush a thin layer on the edges of the jam-topped hearts. This is your glue! Then, place a second heart over the jam and press gently to seal. I always finish by crimping the edges with a fork—not only does it make a cute pattern, but it helps ensure those tarts won’t open while baking.
Step 5: Vent, Brush, and Bake
Use the fork to poke a few tiny holes in the top crust of each tart to let steam escape. Then brush the entire top of each tart with more egg wash for that beautiful golden finish. Pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes until they’re puffed and lightly golden.
Step 6: Cool and Icing Time
Transfer your warm pop tarts to a wire rack to cool. While they’re chilling, whisk together confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla to form a smooth glaze. A single drop of red food coloring gives this icing that pretty pink color I love. Spoon on the glaze and smooth it with the back of a spoon or a small spatula, then sprinkle with festive red and pink sprinkles.
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
- Room Temperature Dough: Letting your pie crust come to room temperature prevents cracks and makes it easier to roll out and cut.
- Don’t Overfill: I learned the hard way that too much jam leads to messy pop tarts, so stick to about a tablespoon per tart.
- Use Egg Wash Generously: Brushing both the seal and top crust locks the edges and creates that lovely golden sheen.
- Cool Before Icing: Applying icing to warm pop tarts melts it away, so give them enough time to cool first.
How to Serve Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these with a simple glaze and vibrant sprinkles because it adds that fun, festive touch. Sometimes I’ll toss on a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a few fresh strawberry slices for extra flair when serving company.
Side Dishes
These pop tarts are a treat on their own, but if you want a balanced breakfast or brunch, pair them with fresh fruit, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a cup of hot coffee or milk – my family goes crazy for this combo!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I arrange them on tiered stands with colorful napkins underneath, creating an eye-catching dessert display. I’ve even wrapped individual pop tarts in cellophane with cute ribbons to gift friends and neighbors—such a sweet surprise!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store my leftover pop tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, but honestly, they rarely last that long! Keeping them sealed prevents the crust from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead, they freeze beautifully. Just wrap each tart individually in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag, and store for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked warmth, pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust flaky and crisp.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade pie crust for this recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade pie crust works wonderfully in this recipe and adds an extra personal touch. Just make sure it’s rolled out to the right thickness (about 1/8 inch) and chilled before cutting to get clean edges.
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What is the best way to prevent soggy pop tarts?
Using jam that isn’t too liquidy and avoiding overfilling your pop tarts helps prevent sogginess. Also, sealing the edges well and baking them at a high temperature ensures the crust stays flaky and crisp.
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Can I make these without the icing?
Yes, you can enjoy these pop tarts without the icing! The strawberry jam filling alone provides plenty of sweetness and flavor. Icing just adds an extra flair, especially when decorated with sprinkles.
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What can I substitute for the egg wash?
If you prefer to skip eggs, you can brush the tops with milk or a milk alternative to still get some color and help seal the edges, though the finish may be a bit less glossy.
Final Thoughts
Making this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe brought back so many warm memories of childhood breakfasts and weekend baking adventures for me. It’s a simple recipe that delivers comforting, flaky, sweet goodness with minimum fuss and maximum joy. I really hope you try these out — nothing beats biting into a fresh, warm pop tart you made yourself, especially when you get to share it with the people you love.
Print
Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade Pop Tarts recipe transforms simple premade pie crusts into delightful, heart-shaped pastries filled with sweet strawberry jam and topped with a smooth, colorful icing and festive sprinkles. Perfect for a fun breakfast or a sweet snack, these Pop Tarts are easy to assemble and bake to golden perfection with a crunchy, flaky exterior and a gooey jam center.
Ingredients
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
- Red and Pink Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the Pop Tarts evenly.
- Prepare pie crust: Unroll the premade pie crust onto a floured surface, bakers mat, or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cutting easier.
- Cut pastry shapes: Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many heart shapes as possible from the pie crust. Rotate the cutter to maximize usage. Re-roll the scraps to cut out additional hearts, ensuring all dough is used efficiently.
- Fill hearts with jam: Place about one tablespoon of strawberry jam onto the center of half the heart-shaped crusts. It does not have to be spread evenly since the jam will naturally distribute during baking.
- Apply egg wash and seal: Beat the egg in a small bowl. Brush the edges of the hearts with the egg wash, then place a plain heart on top of each filled heart. Seal the edges by pressing with your finger, then crimp them tightly using the tines of a fork to ensure the filling stays inside.
- Vent the top crust: Use the fork to poke small holes in the top of each assembled Pop Tart to allow steam to escape during baking, preventing sogginess or bursting.
- Finish with egg wash: Brush the entire top surface of the Pop Tarts with the beaten egg to promote browning and a shiny finish.
- Bake: Place the Pop Tarts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the Pop Tarts cool on a wire rack to room temperature before icing to prevent melting.
- Make the icing: Whisk together confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add one drop of red food coloring and mix to achieve a pretty pink hue.
- Decorate: Spoon or spread the icing over the cooled Pop Tarts using the back of a spoon or a small spatula. Finish by sprinkling red and pink sprinkles on top for a festive look.
Notes
- You can substitute the strawberry jam with other favorites such as raspberry, blueberry, or apricot.
- Ensure pie crust is at room temperature before rolling to avoid cracking.
- If you don’t have a heart cookie cutter, use any shape or cut squares with a knife and seal edges well.
- Use a light hand with the egg wash to avoid soggy bottoms but enough to get a golden crust.
- Store Pop Tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Pop Tart
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
