Homemade Valentine’s Day Pop Tarts

Get ready to shower your loved ones with sweetness this Valentine's Day! Skip the store-bought treats and dive into a batch of Homemade Valentine's Day Pop Tarts. Imagine flaky, golden pastry embracing a burst of fruity filling, all topped with a playful drizzle of icing. These aren't just any pastries; they're a quick, healthier alternative to the heavily processed options, brimming with homemade goodness. They only use ingredients I already often stock in my home; this is the perfect recipe for a beginner! I love making these fun, memorable treats with my kids.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

My grandmother used to make hand pies every Valentine's Day, each bite a burst of love and tradition. This Homemade Valentine's Day Pop Tarts recipe is my modern, quicker take on her beloved tradition. Its a great way to share our heritage and make precious family memories!

Ingredients

For the Pastry:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup ice water

For the Filling:

• 1 cup strawberry jam (or your favorite flavor)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (or enough to reach desired consistency)
• Red food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (for decoration)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe

1. Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the cubed butter and cut it into the flour using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add Water: Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. The dough should be slightly shaggy.
3. Chill: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten it slightly. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
4. Roll Out: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness.
5. Cut Shapes: Use a knife or pastry cutter to make rectangles about 3×4 inches in size. You'll need two rectangles for each Pop Tart.
6. Fill: Spread about 1 tablespoon of jam onto half of the rectangles. Leave a small border around the edges. Add a few drops of lemon juice.
7. Top and Seal: Place the remaining pastry rectangles on top of the filled rectangles. Press down around the edges with a fork to seal completely.
8. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pop tarts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Cool: Let the pop tarts cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Make Icing: While the pop tarts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk. Add food coloring, if desired. Stir in sprinkles.
11. Decorate: Drizzle the icing over the cooled pop tarts and immediately add sprinkles.
12. Serve: Enjoy your Homemade Valentine's Day Pop Tarts immediately!

Homemade Valentine’s Day Pop Tarts

Flaky, golden pastry embracing a burst of fruity filling, all topped with a playful drizzle of icing. A quick, healthier alternative to store-bought treats.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

Pastry

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter cubed
• 1/2 cup ice water

Filling

• 1 cup strawberry jam (or your favorite flavor)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (or enough to reach desired consistency)
• red food coloring (optional)
• sprinkles (for decoration)

Equipment

• Bowl
• Pastry Blender or Fingers
• Plastic Wrap
• Rolling Pin
• Knife or Pastry Cutter
• Fork
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Wire Rack
• Whisk

Method

 

1. In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the cubed butter and cut it into the flour using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup cold unsalted butter
2. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. The dough should be slightly shaggy.
   1/2 cup ice water
3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten it slightly. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness.
5. Use a knife or pastry cutter to make rectangles about 3×4 inches in size. You’ll need two rectangles for each Pop Tart.
6. Spread about 1 tablespoon of jam onto half of the rectangles. Leave a small border around the edges. Add a few drops of lemon juice.
   1 cup strawberry jam, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
7. Place the remaining pastry rectangles on top of the filled rectangles. Press down around the edges with a fork to seal completely.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pop tarts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Let the pop tarts cool completely on a wire rack.
10. While the pop tarts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk. Add food coloring, if desired. Stir in sprinkles.
    1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk, red food coloring, sprinkles
11. Drizzle the icing over the cooled pop tarts and immediately add sprinkles.
12. Enjoy your Homemade Valentine’s Day Pop Tarts immediately!