Homemade Strawberry Pop-Tart Cookies: Fun & Fruity Treat

Get ready to revisit your childhood with a delightful twist! These Strawberry Pop-Tart Cookies take the beloved toaster pastry and transform it into a charming, delicious cookie. Imagine a tender, buttery shortbread-like cookie, filled with sweet strawberry jam and fresh strawberries, all topped with a classic glaze and colorful sprinkles. It’s a whimsical, sweet treat that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, baking with kids, or bringing a smile to any gathering.

Why I Love This Recipe

This recipe is pure joy in cookie form! What I love most about these Strawberry Pop-Tart Cookies is how they capture the nostalgia of a Pop-Tart in a sophisticated, homemade package. The dough bakes up beautifully tender, providing a perfect base for the bright, fruity strawberry jam and the burst of freshness from the halved strawberries. The simple powdered sugar glaze and festive sprinkles are the perfect finishing touch, making them not only incredibly delicious but also incredibly charming to look at. They’re a fantastic, fun baking project that always brings a sense of whimsy and delight to anyone who tries them.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create these charming Strawberry Pop-Tart Cookies:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup strawberry jam
  • Fresh strawberries, halved (for topping)

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • Sprinkles for decoration

Swaps and Notes

  • Butter: Ensure your butter is properly softened for easy creaming. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar provides the crisp-tender texture for the cookie base.
  • Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract offers the best flavor.
  • Strawberry Jam: Use a good quality strawberry jam or preserve. For a different flavor, you could experiment with raspberry or even apricot jam.
  • Fresh Strawberries: These are key for the “Pop-Tart” look and add a burst of fresh fruit flavor.
  • Milk (for Glaze): Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work for the glaze. Adjust the amount to achieve your desired consistency – a little thicker for a more opaque glaze, thinner for a drizzle.
  • Sprinkles: Get creative with sprinkles! Rainbow sprinkles are classic for a fun Pop-Tart vibe, but seasonal or themed sprinkles would also be great.

Instructions

Let’s get these delightful Strawberry Pop-Tart Cookies baking!

  1. Preheat Oven & Prep Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add Egg & Vanilla: Add the 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients from step 2 to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
  6. Shape the Cookies:
    • Lightly flour a clean work surface. Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
    • Using a knife or a pastry wheel, cut the dough into square or rectangular shapes (about 2×3 inches is a good size, similar to a Pop-Tart). You can use a cookie cutter for cleaner edges if desired.
    • Carefully transfer the cut dough squares to the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between them.
    • Place a small dollop (about 1/2 – 1 teaspoon) of strawberry jam in the center of each dough square.
    • Gently top each jam dollop with a halved fresh strawberry, pressing it lightly into the jam.
  7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the cookies are set.
  8. Cool Completely: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This is important before glazing.
  9. Prepare the Glaze: While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk until completely smooth and of a drizzling consistency. Add a tiny bit more milk if it’s too thick, or more powdered sugar if it’s too thin.
  10. Glaze & Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the prepared glaze generously over the top of each cookie. Immediately add sprinkles for decoration before the glaze sets.
  11. Set & Serve: Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes (or longer if a thicker glaze) before handling and serving.

Tips for Success

  • Don’t Overwork Dough: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
  • Chill Dough (Optional but Recommended): If your dough is too sticky to roll out, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
  • Even Thickness: Roll the dough to an even thickness for consistent baking.
  • Cool Completely Before Glazing: Glazing warm cookies will cause the glaze to melt and run off.
  • Adjust Glaze Consistency: Add milk to the glaze very slowly, a tiny bit at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

These Strawberry Pop-Tart Cookies are a delightful treat on their own, but they also pair well with:


Storage and Leftover Tips

These cookies store well, though the fresh strawberry on top is best enjoyed soon after glazing.

  • Room Temperature: Store cooled, unglazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Once glazed, they are best consumed within 1-2 days, as the fresh strawberry can start to break down.
  • Refrigeration: If you must refrigerate (especially if using very ripe fresh strawberries), store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The texture of the cookie may become slightly firmer.
  • Freezing (Unglezied): You can freeze the baked, unglazed cookies for up to 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then glaze and decorate as desired. You can also freeze the raw cookie dough, wrapped tightly, for up to 3 months.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you loved the fun, sweet, and easy nature of these cookies, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free dessert and cookie recipes:


Final Thoughts

These Strawberry Pop-Tart Cookies are a delightful way to bring a touch of playful nostalgia and delicious sweetness to your kitchen. They’re fun to make, beautiful to look at, and even more delicious to eat, making them perfect for any occasion that calls for a little extra joy.

Give this recipe a try and let these charming cookies bring a smile to your face! What’s your favorite nostalgic treat you’d love to see turned into a cookie? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!