Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts is a foolproof recipe and has been the favorite of many from generation to generation, and the taste has never failed the expectations of many.

The strawberry filling in this Pop Tarts is encased in flaky pastry to create a soft tart that will surely disappear and be devoured in a matter of minutes after being baked.

It's flaky and buttery pastry crust breaks and flutters away when you take a bite, leaving you with a mouthful of goodness. Each pastry pillow is filled with a sweet strawberry filling and then coated with a simple vanilla sugar frosting, which is optional.

The Best Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

These Homemade Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts can be eaten at breakfast, although some moms frown upon this choice of breakfast, saying that such treats are rather too early for the morning meal. The best time to take these treats out is in the afternoon.

These pop tarts are a good snack for the family to dig into while lounging around in the backyard with the afternoon sun overhead.

The recipe for Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts contains a step-by-step process that is quick and easy to follow. This recipe allows a simple set of ingredients to be turned into a treat that anyone in the family would surely love.

The Origin of Pop Tarts

Pop-Tarts are made with a sweet filling that is sandwiched between a pair of layers of thin, and rectangular pastry dough. The majority of these pop-tarts are also frosted. Even though they are sold pre-cooked, they are intended to be reheated in a toaster or microwave oven. Pop-Tarts evoke a sense of belonging that is uniquely American. When Kellogg, the company that invented the beloved pastry, introduced Pop-Tarts to the United Kingdom in 1990, sales did not soar to the heights that they had in the United States.

Post developed an adaptation of its technology for wrapping food in foil to keep it fresh without rotting for use with its new toaster-prepared breakfast meal in the 1960s. The Post presented its new product to the press in 1963, a year before it was on the market, to complement its cold cereals. Post referred to them as "Country Squares." The fact that Post released Country Squares before they were ready to be introduced to the market allowed Post's greatest competitor, Kellogg, to manufacture its version in six months.

While the first Pop-Tarts were not frosted when they were debuted in 1964, it was later discovered that icing could resist being baked in a toaster, and the first frosted Pop-Tarts were released in 1967. Apple currant was one of the four flavors available in the first batch of Pop-Tarts. The other three were strawberry, blueberry, and brown sugar cinnamon.

Why Does This Recipe Works?

Pop-Tarts have different flavors nowadays, and you can make them in various ways possible. Just hit the internet with a question of how-to, and many recipes would come up for this dish. Yet, this one seems to be the most must-try recipe of Pop-Tarts out there because of the following reasons:

There aren't that many ingredients to check off your list. Plus, all of them are budget-friendly!
These tarts make a perfect dessert as it is sweet and fruity in the middle.
Only 30 minutes, and you will already have freshly baked Strawberry Pop Tarts. It is quick, easy, and almost effortless to prepare.
Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or to pack in your children lunch box.

What's In This Recipe?

Puff Pastry. Using puff pastry, you can create a flaky, light pastry texture for your Pop-Tarts. It also imparts a buttery flavor, as well as a light and airy texture, and a somewhat crunchy crust.

Egg + small splash of water. People call this combination the "egg wash." We would brush this mixture to the edges of our puff pastry to give an attractive color and shine to the surface for our Strawberry Pop Tarts. The egg wash will also help in positioning the strawberry jam firmly in the center of the puff pastry while inside the oven.

Strawberry Jam. Give your Pop Tarts its main flavor, which is the strawberry, by using strawberry jam for the filling. It will also impart a sweet, bright, tangy, and beautifully aromatic flavor to your Pop-Tarts.

Powdered Sugar. Powdered Sugar does not only gives sweetness to your Pop-Tarts. It will also help your vanilla frosting in making the perfect consistency for the frosting.

Heavy Cream. We are adding heavy cream into the frosting mixture not for its taste but for its creamy texture that will go well with the consistency that we are trying to achieve for our vanilla frosting.

Vanilla Extract. The main flavor of the pop tarts' frosting is vanilla. Hence, we are adding vanilla extract into the mixture for a sweet and mellow frosting taste.

Rainbow Sprinkles. Add fun colors to the plain and white frosting of your Pop-Tarts by sprinkling rainbow sprinkles on top. This will surely catch the eyes of the children.

How to Make homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts?

cut the puff pastry sheet into 8 equal squares.

Preheat oven to 200 C.
Grease a large baking sheet or 2 medium baking sheets with oil or cover with baking parchment.
Unfold the puff pastry sheet and it into 8 equal squares.
Brush about 1 inch around the edges with egg wash.
Now, spoon 1 tablespoon of strawberry jam into the centre on half of the puff pastry squares, keeping it inside the egg wash border.

spoon 1 tablespoon of strawberry jam into the centre of all squares

Flip the puff pastry squares without the jam onto the squares with the jam and use a fork to press the edges together on all sides gently.
Transfer the tarts baking sheet.
Brush the top of all the pop tarts with egg wash, then bake for 25-30 until golden brown.

Make the vanilla frosting

In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Spread the frosting across the pop tart and top with sprinkles.
Allow the pop tart to cool 10 minutes or so minutes before slicing.
Once the pop tarts have cooled, spread the frosting on top of the pop tarts, then scatter some sprinkles.

Top Tips

In frosting, the pop tarts, wait until they're entirely cool. The frosting will liquefy and drip down the edges of the dough if you frost the pop tarts while they're still warm.
Do not overwork the mixing of your vanilla frosting mixture lest you make a gooey and lumpy mess of a frosting. Mix just until the texture is creamy and thick.
Feel free to add some food colouring to the vanilla frosting if you like.

Recipe Variations

Strawberry jam is already sweet, but if you want a burst of flavor to your filling, drizzle powdered sugar into the strawberry jam before spooning them into the puff pastry.
You may use egg + milk for egg wash instead of water since it encourages browning to your puff pastry; a slight color to your pop-tarts can look good in the eyes.

Serving Suggestion

Serve your Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts with hot milk for breakfast and cold iced tea for snack time. You can also serve them with a smoothie or date shake.

Recipe FAQs

How Do I Store These Pop Tarts?

Simply place them in an airtight container, and store them at room temperature. However, they can only last 2 to 3 days if not refrigerated.

Are These Pop Tarts Freezer-Friendly?

Yes! Place them in Ziploc before putting them in the freezer. They will last up to 2 months in there.

Recipes You May Like

Recipe Card

If you like this frosted pop tarts recipe and want to save it for later? Add it to your favourite recipe board on Pinterest!

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram to keep up-to-date with all new recipes. Also, you can subscribe to my Newsletter to recipe all the latest recipes once published.