Description
Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies combine the nostalgic flavors of classic pop tarts with the delightful texture of soft, homemade cookies. This 7-step recipe guides you through creating tender, buttery dough filled with luscious strawberry jam, topped with a sweet vanilla glaze and optional sprinkles. Perfect for a fun snack or a charming dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- ½ cup strawberry jam
Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside to ensure even distribution.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating the perfect base for your cookie dough.
- Add egg and vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a dough forms without overworking it to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape and fill cookies: Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut into rectangles or your desired shapes. Place half the shapes on the prepared baking sheets and spoon a small amount of strawberry jam into the center of each.
- Seal cookies: Top each jam-filled piece with the remaining dough shapes. Press the edges together firmly to seal in the filling, then crimp the edges with a fork both for decoration and to ensure a secure seal.
- Bake cookies: Place baking sheets in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the cookie edges are lightly golden. After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare frosting: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until you achieve a thick but spreadable consistency suitable for frosting.
- Frost and decorate: Spread the prepared frosting evenly on the cooled cookies. Add sprinkles if desired to provide an extra festive touch.
Notes
- For best results, ensure butter is softened to room temperature to achieve a creamy dough texture.
- Use a good-quality strawberry jam for a rich and authentic filling flavor.
- You can customize the shapes of the cookies to your preference, such as squares or rectangles reminiscent of classic pop tarts.
- If frosting is too thick, add a little more milk; if too thin, add extra powdered sugar.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For added texture, try mixing in finely chopped nuts to the dough or sprinkle them on top of frosting before it sets.
