Lovely Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

Sweet mornings bloom with delightful homemade heart-shaped strawberry pop tarts that capture childhood nostalgia and grown-up sophistication.

These tender pastries burst with vibrant strawberry filling and delicate crimped edges.

Baked from scratch, they radiate love in every delectable bite.

The simple ingredients transform into a magical breakfast treat that sparkles with pure joy.

Fresh strawberries provide a natural sweetness that dances across buttery, flaky crusts.

Drizzled with a light glaze, these pop tarts become an irresistible morning indulgence.

Whip up these charming pastries and watch smiles spread across eager faces.

Fun Ways To Serve Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts

• Sweet Date Night Dessert: Serve these adorable heart-shaped pop tarts as a romantic surprise for your partner, perfect for Valentine's Day or anniversary celebrations.
• Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack these portable strawberry pop tarts in a cute container for a delightful outdoor snack during weekend picnics or park adventures.
• Breakfast Companion: Pair these homemade pop tarts with a warm cup of coffee or fresh fruit smoothie for a delectable morning meal that feels extra special.
• Kids' Baking Activity: Involve children in decorating the pop tarts with colorful glazes and sprinkles, turning this recipe into a fun family cooking experience.

Storing Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts Easily

• Chill & Shield: Wrap individual pop tarts in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent soggy edges.
• Freezer-Friendly Treats: Layer pop tarts between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Freeze unglazed versions for maximum 3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature and add glaze before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pastry dough and filling up to 2 days in advance. Store dough wrapped tightly in refrigerator and filling in sealed container. This strategy cuts down day-of preparation time.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm refrigerated pop tarts in toaster oven at 300F for 34 minutes to restore crispy texture. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy pastry bottoms.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need For Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts

• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation for creating a flaky, tender crust that holds the delectable filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps with browning the pastry to golden perfection.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the pop tarts.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates those coveted flaky layers and provides rich, buttery taste – make sure it's ice-cold for maximum texture.

• Strawberry Jam: Delivers vibrant, fruity flavor and creates the classic pop tart filling.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the jam and prevents a runny, messy center.
• Water: Helps dissolve and distribute the cornstarch evenly.

• Powdered Sugar: Forms the smooth, glossy glaze that adds a sweet finishing touch.
• Milk or Cream: Helps create the perfect drizzling consistency for the glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the glaze's flavor profile.
• Food Coloring: Optional way to make the pop tarts visually festive and fun.
• Heart-Shaped Sprinkles or Sanding Sugar: Provides a playful, decorative element that makes the treats extra special.

Equipment List For Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing dry ingredients and creating pastry dough.
• Pastry Cutter or Fingers: Perfect for cutting cold butter into flour mixture until crumbly.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out dough evenly to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter: Creates adorable heart-shaped pastry bases.
• Baking Sheet: Provides surface for assembling and baking pop tarts.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Small Saucepan: Used for preparing strawberry filling.
• Fork: Helps seal edges of pop tarts.
• Small Brush: Great for brushing water on dough edges.
• Knife: Creates vent holes in pop tarts.
• Wire Rack: Allows pop tarts to cool completely.
• Small Bowls: Useful for mixing glaze and preparing ingredients.

Steps To Make Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts

• Pastry Magic Preparation

Creating a delightful dough that’s soft and flaky starts with mixing flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Gently work cold butter into the mixture until it looks like tiny pebbles. Slowly add icy cold water, bringing the dough together with gentle touches. Shape into two smooth disks and let them rest in the refrigerator for an hour.

• Strawberry Surprise Filling

Craft a luscious strawberry mixture by warming jam with a touch of cornstarch. Stir carefully until the filling transforms into a rich, glossy texture. Allow the mixture to cool completely, letting flavors meld and intensify.

• Tart Shaping Adventure

Warm up the oven to a toasty temperature. Roll out the chilled dough on a flour-dusted surface, creating delicate heart shapes with a special cutter. Lovingly place strawberry filling in the center of half the hearts, leaving a small border. Seal the tarts by pressing edges with a fork, creating a beautiful crimped design. Poke tiny breathing holes on top to let steam escape.

• Baking and Decorating Delight

Slide the hearts into the oven, watching them turn golden and crisp. Once baked, let them rest and cool. Whip up a dreamy glaze using powdered sugar and a splash of milk. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled tarts, adding a sprinkle of festive sugar for a magical finishing touch.

Tips To Improve Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts

• Baking Brilliance: Mastering Strawberry Pop Tarts
• Butter Temperature Trick: Keep butter ice-cold when making pastry dough. Chilled butter creates flakier, more tender pop tarts with delightful layers that melt in your mouth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough and filling up to 2 days in advance. Store in refrigerator to save time and enhance flavor development. Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Add a pinch of xanthan gum for better texture and binding. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with cold coconut oil or vegan butter alternative. Use almond or oat milk in the glaze for a creamy, plant-based finish that doesn't compromise taste.
• Filling Flexibility: Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry, blueberry, or mixed berry. Homemade jam works wonderfully and adds a personal touch to these delightful treats.

Irresistible Heart-Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Delectable homemade heart-shaped strawberry pop tarts blend sweet nostalgia with romantic charm. Flaky pastry, fresh strawberry filling, and delicate pink glaze promise a delightful treat for special moments. You will fall in love with this charming dessert.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup (150 g) strawberry jam
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 45 tbsps ice water
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsps milk or heavy cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 drop or 2 pink or red food coloring (optional)
• heart-shaped sprinkles
• sanding sugar

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Blend flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
2. Butter Integration: Cut cold butter into the flour mixture using fingertips or a pastry tool until the texture resembles coarse sand, creating a crumbly consistency.
3. Dough Formation: Add ice water gradually, mixing until the dough coheres. Divide into two portions, wrap in film, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
4. Filling Creation: Combine strawberry jam, cornstarch, and water in a saucepan, heating and stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy and smooth.
5. Dough Shaping: Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness, cutting out heart-shaped pastry bases using a cookie cutter.
6. Assembly and Filling: Position half of the heart-shaped dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet, placing a precise dollop of cooled strawberry filling in the center of each piece.
7. Sealing and Preparation: Dampen edges with water, overlay matching heart-shaped dough cutouts, and crimp edges with a fork to create a tight seal. Pierce small ventilation holes on top using a knife tip.
8. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 375F. Bake pop tarts for 18-20 minutes until edges turn golden-brown, then briefly rest on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
9. Glaze and Decoration: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and optional food coloring to create a smooth glaze. Once pop tarts cool completely, drizzle glaze and sprinkle with heart-shaped decorations while the glaze remains wet.

Notes

• Perfect Butter Incorporation: Use extremely cold butter and work quickly to maintain small, visible butter chunks, which create flaky, tender pastry layers during baking.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Dust the baking sheet with a light layer of cornmeal or semolina to enhance bottom crispness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Filling Consistency Control: Allow strawberry filling to cool completely before assembling pop tarts, preventing potential dough softening and ensuring clean, defined edges.
• Glaze Application Technique: Apply glaze when pop tarts are completely cool to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, professional-looking finish that sets cleanly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg