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Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Delightful flaky pastries filled with a tart-sweet strawberry jam, perfect for a nostalgic breakfast or homemade gift.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 pieces
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the pastry
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour For the dough
  • 4 teaspoons sugar For the dough
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt For the dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), chilled and cubed Keeps the dough flaky
  • 1/2 cup cold water To bring the dough together
For the filling
  • 16 oz strawberries (fresh or frozen – thaw if frozen) Main fruit for the filling
  • 3 tablespoons honey To sweeten the filling
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice To enhance flavor
For the glaze
  • 1 egg yolk egg yolk For brushing
  • 1/2–1 cup powdered sugar For the glaze
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk To thin the glaze

Method
 

Make the dough
  1. In a food processor, pulse together the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled, cubed butter and pulse a few times until the butter pieces are about the size of peas. Stream in the cold water while pulsing until the dough just comes together.
Shape and chill
  1. Move the dough to a bowl or lightly floured surface and gently knead into a ball — be careful not to overwork it. Wrap in plastic wrap and flatten into a rectangle about 1/2" thick. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Make the filling
  1. While the dough chills, blend the strawberries, honey, and lemon until smooth. Strain the purée through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan to remove seeds.
Reduce to jam
  1. Cook the strained strawberry purée over medium heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thick.
Preheat and prepare
  1. Preheat the oven to 300˚F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Roll the dough
  1. Divide the chilled dough in half. Roll each half into approximately a 14 x 14" square, keeping it thin (about 1/8").
Cut rectangles
  1. Cut the rolled dough into roughly 3.5 x 4.75" rectangles, needing two per pop tart.
Fill and seal
  1. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cooled strawberry filling in the center of half the rectangles. Brush egg yolk around the border of each filled rectangle, dock the top rectangles, place over filled bottoms, and crimp the edges to seal.
Bake
  1. Transfer to the prepared sheet pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden.
Glaze and finish
  1. Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk for a glaze, then spread on cooled pop tarts and add sprinkles if desired.

Notes

Serve slightly warm for the best experience. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze individually for up to 2 months.