Description
Homemade frosted brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts bring nostalgic comfort straight from your kitchen, elevating childhood memories with flaky pastry and warm spices. Crisp edges, sweet filling, and sugary glaze make these pop tarts an irresistible treat you’ll want to savor with morning coffee or afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For Pastry Dough:
- 2.5 cups (313g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/2 cup (120ml) ice water
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Filling:
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed dark or light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon (8g) all-purpose flour
For Frosting:
- 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) milk
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Additional:
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons milk (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the pie crust by mixing flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl, then incorporate cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add cold water, stirring until the dough forms large clumps without becoming too wet or dry.
- Gently knead the dough on a floured surface, forming two disc-shaped portions, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Roll out each chilled dough disc into a 9×12-inch rectangle, trimming edges to create precise 3×4-inch rectangles.
- Arrange dough rectangles on parchment-lined baking sheets, keeping them chilled between steps.
- Create the cinnamon filling by combining brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a small bowl.
- Brush egg wash on bottom dough rectangles, then spread filling in the center, leaving a narrow border.
- Place top dough rectangles over the filling, pressing edges to seal completely.
- Puncture the top of each pastry with 6-8 holes to allow steam escape, then crimp edges with a fork.
- Chill assembled pop tarts for 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F.
- Brush additional egg wash on top before baking for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool pop tarts on a wire rack, then prepare a cinnamon glaze by whisking confectioners’ sugar, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Spread icing over completely cooled pop tarts, allowing it to set for approximately one hour.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for 5 days.
- For long-term storage, freeze unfrosted pop tarts for up to 3 months, reheating at 350°F when ready to serve.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn’t shrink during baking.
- Keep all ingredients cold, especially butter, to maintain the pastry’s delicate texture and prevent toughness.
- Use a ruler for precise rectangle cutting to create uniform pop tarts that bake evenly.
- Try alternative fillings like fruit preserves, Nutella, or chocolate for exciting flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 146 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg