Homemade heart-shaped strawberry pop tarts are a delightful and charming treat perfect for Valentine’s Day, breakfast, or as a sweet snack. These flaky pastries are filled with a sweet strawberry jam and topped with a simple glaze and festive sprinkles, making them as beautiful as they are delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and Festive: Adorable heart shapes make these pop tarts perfect for celebrations.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and fresh or store-bought jam.
- Customizable: Adjust the filling, glaze, and toppings to your taste.
- Easy to Make: A fun recipe for bakers of all skill levels, including kids.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Pastry:
- All-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- Salt
- Ice water
For the Filling:
- Strawberry jam (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional: fresh strawberries, finely chopped
For the Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk or heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
- Optional: red or pink food coloring
For Topping:
- Heart-shaped sprinkles or sanding sugar
Directions
Step 1: Make the Dough
- Prepare the Pastry Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Water: Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Do not overwork the dough.
- Chill: Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Dough
- Roll the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut Shapes: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as possible. Repeat with the second dough disk, ensuring you have an even number of hearts.
Step 3: Assemble the Pop Tarts
- Add the Filling: Place half of the heart shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Add about 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam to the center of each, leaving a small border.
- Seal the Edges: Brush the edges with water and place another heart-shaped dough piece on top. Press gently to seal, then crimp the edges with a fork.
- Vent the Tops: Use a sharp knife to cut a small slit or poke a few holes in the top of each pop tart to release steam.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled pop tarts for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Bake
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Bake the pop tarts for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 5: Glaze and Decorate
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add food coloring for a festive touch if desired.
- Glaze the Pop Tarts: Spoon or brush the glaze over the cooled pop tarts.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle with heart-shaped sprinkles or sanding sugar while the glaze is still wet. Let the glaze set before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes 6-8 pop tarts (depending on cutter size)
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Strawberry: Add a few chocolate chips to the strawberry jam filling for a decadent twist.
- Savory Option: Fill with cream cheese and strawberry jam for a sweet-savory combination.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pie crust or pastry dough.
- Berry Blend: Replace or mix the strawberry jam with raspberry or mixed berry jam.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unglazed pop tarts for up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
- Reheating: Warm in a toaster oven or microwave for a freshly baked taste.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought pie crust?
Yes, pre-made pie crust saves time and works well for this recipe.
2. Can I make these in advance?
Yes, assemble the pop tarts and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh the next day.
3. How do I prevent the filling from leaking?
Don’t overfill, and make sure to seal the edges tightly.
4. Can I use a different filling?
Absolutely! Try Nutella, peanut butter, or another fruit jam.
5. Are these pop tarts kid-friendly?
Yes, they’re a fun treat for kids to enjoy and help decorate.
6. Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, dust with powdered sugar for a simpler finish.
7. How do I make the dough flaky?
Keep the butter cold and avoid overworking the dough.
8. What’s the best way to cut out the dough shapes?
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for even shapes and sizes.
9. Can I make mini pop tarts?
Yes, use a smaller cutter and reduce baking time to 12-15 minutes.
10. What pairs well with these pop tarts?
Serve with a glass of milk, coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a complete treat.
Conclusion
Homemade heart-shaped strawberry pop tarts are a charming and delicious way to show love through baking. With their buttery crust, sweet strawberry filling, and festive decorations, these pop tarts are as delightful to make as they are to eat. Customize them with your favorite fillings and toppings, and enjoy this fun and tasty treat!
PrintHomemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts
These Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts are adorable, flaky, and filled with sweet strawberry goodness. Topped with a simple glaze and sprinkles, they make a perfect treat for Valentine’s Day, breakfast, or dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 pop tarts 1x
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pastry:
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 4–5 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup (150 g) strawberry jam
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A drop or two of pink or red food coloring (optional)
For Garnish:
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
- Sanding sugar
Instructions
Make the Pastry Dough:
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter:
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Ice Water:
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Form the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Prepare the Filling:
- Make the Filling:
- In a small saucepan, mix the strawberry jam, cornstarch, and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 2–3 minutes). Let cool completely.
Assemble the Pop Tarts:
- Roll Out the Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to about 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out even numbers of hearts. Repeat with the second disk of dough.
- Add the Filling:
- Place half of the heart-shaped cutouts onto the prepared baking sheet. Add about 1 teaspoon of strawberry filling to the center of each heart, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Seal the Tarts:
- Brush the edges of the hearts with a little water. Place another heart-shaped cutout on top and press the edges together with a fork to seal. Use a knife to poke a small vent hole in the top of each tart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate the Pop Tarts:
- Make the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using). Adjust the consistency with more powdered sugar or milk as needed.
- Glaze the Tarts:
- Spoon or pipe the glaze onto the cooled pop tarts. Decorate with heart-shaped sprinkles or sanding sugar while the glaze is still wet.
Notes
- Make Ahead: The pastry dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat in the oven or toaster for a fresh taste.
- Customization: Try different fillings like raspberry jam, Nutella, or cream cheese for variety.