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    Home » Breakfast

    May 24, 2010 · Modified: Nov 1, 2017 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 30 Comments

    Homemade Pop Tarts

    I recently said, there are 3 things I never have enough of when baking. They are: 1) time, 2) space, and 3) flour. I ALWAYS feel like I'm baking under a time limit. And with so little space, I'm constantly tripping over myself. And with far too little flour, my dough sticks everywhere. And to be honest, most of the things I bake don't come out fabulously on my first try. So when I saw Smitten Kitten's recipe for homemade pop tarts, I was almost certain they would be a royal disaster on my first try. But I knew I had to start somewhere, so I gave myself plenty of time, space, and flour, and gave them a try.

    Because, really? HOMEMADE POP TARTS? There is absolutely no way I can even think about saying no to attempting it.

    Homemade Pop Tarts:

    Pastry:

    • 2 C all-purpose flour
    • 1 T sugar
    • 1 t salt
    • 1 C (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into pats
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 T milk

    Brown Sugar/Cinnamon Filling:

    • ½ C brown sugar
    • 1 to 1 ½ t cinnamon
    • 4 t all-purpose flour
    • 1 large egg to brush on pastry before filling

    DSCN7612

    See? There aren't too many ingredients; how hard could they be, right? But for real right now? They actually were not that difficult!

    First, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Then chop up all the butter (make sure it's pretty cold) and work it in with your fingers, a pastry cutter, or a food processor.

    DSCN7614

    I used my little pastry blender, but don't worry because using your fingers is just fine! Do this until it's blended, but pea-sized lumps of butter are still visible and the mixture holds together when you squeeze it.

    DSCN7615

    Whisk one egg and the milk together in a separate small bowl. And then stir them into the dough, mixing just until everything is cohesive.

    DSCN7616

    Flour a surface. Make sure you give yourself plenty of space and use tons of flour! It will be a huge pain if your dough starts sticking to the counter.

    DSCN7617

    Divide the dough in half and shape each into a smooth rectangle, about 3x5 inches. Then roll the dough out (or if you want, you can wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days).

    DSCN7618

    I just bought the cutest little Martha Stewart mini rolling pin (which I cannot find anywhere online! But I got it at Macy's).

    DSCN7619

    Roll the dough into a rectangle about â…› inch thick, large enough that you can trim it to an even 9x12".

    DSCN7620

    The recipe says to cut the dough to form nine 3x4" rectangles. But my dough was somehow already off when I rolled it out (I don't think I divided it evenly enough, so when I tried to roll it out any more, it was getting too thin). So instead, I made six 3x5" rectangles.

    The moral is, you don't have to follow the EXACT measurements; do what works best for you. I liked that my pop tarts were 3x5" because it seemed more normal pop tart size.

    DSCN7621

    Now, beat the additional egg and brush it over the dough. This is the inside of the pop tart and the egg will help "glue" the top layer of dough on.

    DSCN7623

    I placed the dough rectangles on my parchment paper-lined pans.

    DSCN7624

    Make the filling! I used the brown sugar/cinnamon filling, but Smitten Kitchen has the recipes for a few other fantastic-sounding ones as well. I was going to try chocolate too, but I decided not to get too crazy for my first attempt.

    For brown sugar, cinnamon, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and flour together.

    DSCN7625

    Yum yum, I love anything cinnamon!

    DSCN7626

    Place a heaping tablespoon of the filling onto the tart dough, making sure you leave a ½ inch perimeter around the dough. Next time I'm adding more filling and spreading it out a bit more because they definitely could have used more filling.

    DSCN7628DSCN7629

    Then cut your second rectangle of dough the same way as the first one. Since this one was bigger than my first, I got some extra rectangles out of it.

    Then place a second rectangle of dough on top of the first, making sure you press around the edges to seal. I had to trim some of my rectangles more since they weren't the exact same sizes (I HATE measuring things slash math).

    DSCN7630

    Use the tines of a fork to press all around the pop tart, creating the pressed edges. Then poke multiple holes on the top so the steam can escape from the tarts. I used a chopstick to poke the holes on the tops.

    DSCN7632

    I also brushed my tarts with more egg wash and sprinkled some more cinnamon mixture on top. I'd say the egg was not necessary (the recipe didn't call for it) as it turned my tarts a bit more golden than they maybe should have been.

    Now, put the tarts in the fridge for about 30 minutes, while your oven heats to 350 degrees.

    Bake them for 20-24 minutes, until they're a light golden brown.

    DSCN7633

    Dig in! Or wrap in foil and put in a box. Not really, but don't they look a lot like pop tarts? They tasted like them too, but MUCH better! Fresher and less dry and artificial.

    DSCN7641

    My pop tarts were far from perfect. But now if I were to make them again, I'm convinced they would be a whole lot better! And frankly, I'm kind of impressed they came out as well as they did the first time around. Definitely one of the more successful baking experiments I've done.

    DSCN7643

    I wasn't really allowed to eat Pop Tarts as a kid and most especially not for breakfast. And honestly, I probably still wouldn't eat these for breakfast, but as a treat for a fun snack or dessert, they're are perfect. And Smitten also gives a whole wheat version, which would be even more nutritious. But everyone on Smitten's post was talking about the crazy things you could do with these, like a savory version! Spinach and cheese? YUM!

    DSCN7645

    So yes, make these. If mine came out this not-horrible on my first try, yours likely will come out 10 times better!

    DSCN7653What are some of your favorite old school treats that you want homemade versions of?

    Do you think it's possible to make your own Gushers? If so, I totally need to try!

    I'm up bright and early today sitting at the Richmond Airport. I spent the weekend in Virginia with Chris's family and had a fabulous time. It's a quick flight back to Boston, where I will begin my lovely Monday work day.

    Happy Monday to everyone! 🙂

    [Sues]

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Talita says

      May 24, 2010 at 9:20 am

      What a yummy treat! Love the golden brown looking!

    2. Jen says

      May 24, 2010 at 9:53 am

      I've been thinking about making those pop tarts ever since I saw them on SK.

      I actually just posted some homemade Ding Dongs this morning on my blog. I've also made homemade Hostess cupcakes too!

    3. Lizzy says

      May 24, 2010 at 10:33 am

      OMG, Gushers! That would be amazing!!!! Haha, seriously though, those pop tarts look awesome!

    4. Julie Q says

      May 24, 2010 at 10:34 am

      Wow!! Impressive and great presentation. Can I request you make Toaster Strudles next? Those were my fav breakfast snacks i was never allowed! 🙂

    5. Anne Marie says

      May 24, 2010 at 10:44 am

      Yummy! The crust looks especially flakey! Can't wait to try!

    6. To Kiss the Cook says

      May 24, 2010 at 10:47 am

      I love that your first thought after making your own pop tarts is Gushers. I pretty much think we've been best friends since 1989. Even if I don't get to see you this weekend, I will be thinking of you fondly from closeby.

    7. 5 Star Foodie says

      May 24, 2010 at 12:24 pm

      Mmm.. homemade pop tarts sound so good! And I love your cinnamon brown sugar filling!

    8. Kelly says

      May 24, 2010 at 12:50 pm

      I've been lusting after these since I saw them on the smitten kitchen and am glad to see that you tried them as well. I really need to make these, but need temperatures to chill a little first.

    9. Lauren says

      May 24, 2010 at 1:04 pm

      I've seen version of these around the blogosphere, and have about 4 different recipes saved. I must try them! Yours look gorgeous and I'm suddenly fighting off an insatiable craving for homemade Pop Tarts :).

    10. my little expat kitchen says

      May 24, 2010 at 1:08 pm

      I love your pop tarts. I saw them myself on smitten kitchen and I thought I'd try them. You know, I've never had pop tarts. We don't have them in Greece, or Holland as far as I know. Anything that is homemade tastes far better!
      Magda

    11. joan says

      May 24, 2010 at 2:03 pm

      Reminds me of when my Mom baked pies. With leftover pie crust dough, she would roll, cut in squares, sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar, and bake. So good!

    12. Shannon says

      May 24, 2010 at 4:25 pm

      ha, gushers. i was never a fan of pop tarts as a kid, instead i went for the toaster streudels... yum, with the icing you get to pipe yourself? fun.

    13. Sophie @ yumventures says

      May 24, 2010 at 5:06 pm

      I have these starred in my google reader to make! They look amazing, I'm so glad to see you tried them 🙂

    14. Erica says

      May 24, 2010 at 5:29 pm

      Oh my gosh! What a fabulous idea. They turned out looking perfect. I used to LOVE gushers. What about fruit rollups? I'm sure there is a good recipe out there for those babies!

    15. Chris says

      May 24, 2010 at 6:52 pm

      So many possibilities with this recipe. These were great and while reading this I began to think of all of the other kinds I want to make. I'm thinking cinnamon apple this week! Such a good recipe.

    16. Culinary Cory says

      May 24, 2010 at 7:23 pm

      These look amazing! Full of rustic charm. Great job.

    17. Sharlene says

      May 24, 2010 at 8:27 pm

      I saw these on smitten kitchen too and wanted to try them out soon. I'm glad your turned out well! I've made homemade oreos from smitten kitchen and they were fabulous. Twinkies are next up on my list!

    18. Susan says

      May 24, 2010 at 10:44 pm

      I LOVE Pop Tarts so much!

    19. Stacey says

      May 24, 2010 at 11:24 pm

      wow homemade Poptarts who would have thought? I might try those sometime but all that butter scare me a bit !

    20. momgateway says

      May 25, 2010 at 11:26 am

      lovely...you make it look so easy...

    21. Beth @ DiningAndDishing says

      May 25, 2010 at 3:11 pm

      those looks amazing! i admit i am a pop tarts fan although i never let myself have them! this looks like a less guilty way to indulge 🙂

    22. Pam says

      May 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm

      Oh, I love pop tarts, and those look amazing, I need to try it asap 🙂
      xx

    23. JennyMac says

      May 25, 2010 at 11:42 pm

      YAY! I love these. I made some with orange marmalade and posted about it....YUM. Thanks for stopping by Sues!

    24. Corinne says

      May 27, 2010 at 2:58 pm

      I love that you made these! I too wasn't allowed to eat them as a kid, probably a good decision by mom, but i def. wasn't happy about it at the time. The cin. and brown sugar are sooooo the best.

      hahahahaa I DARE you to try and make gushers 🙂 I dont think even Martha Stewart herself could recreate those babies

    25. Kelly says

      May 31, 2010 at 2:14 am

      These are SO cute! I love this idea! What an awesome thought, to take foods that are the opposite of homemade, and turning them into freshly baked treats. Very inspirational.

    26. The Brunette Foodie says

      June 05, 2010 at 8:15 am

      I am making these right now, and I am pretty pumped about it. I saw the recipe on Smitten Kitchen, but for some reason it seems so much easier when you do it! 😛

    27. brandi says

      July 21, 2010 at 8:41 am

      I would never even think of making my own poptarts! This would be a fun holiday breakfast.

    28. Genesis (Gourmet Mama) says

      September 28, 2010 at 4:41 pm

      Oh, I would totally make Gushers if that were possible! We were only allowed Pop Tarts for very special occasions (ie, on the road, kids screaming with hunger and the gas station only had that or beef jerky). Definitely trying these!

    29. Susan says

      January 02, 2011 at 2:18 am

      You say to put the poptarts in the oven for 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 350 degrees. Do you mean to put them in the fridge? Mine are baking now. I used Pillsbury pie crusts. .I brushed melted butter on them instead of egg. Glass of milk, timer is ringing, YUM!

    30. Sues says

      January 02, 2011 at 2:23 am

      @Susan- Yes, I did mean fridge! Oops 🙂 I changed it in the post. And great idea using the pillsbury crusts. I hope them come out well!! I need to try making them again soon 🙂

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