Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of bringing that nostalgic, flaky, jam-filled pop tart experience to your kitchen, then you’re going to fall head over heels for this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe. I absolutely love how these turn out—warm, buttery crust hugging a sweet strawberry jam center with a glossy, sprinkle-topped icing that makes every bite feel like a special occasion. Plus, you’ll find they’re way more satisfying and customizable than store-bought versions. Stick around and I’ll walk you through everything to nail these from scratch in no time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together to create that iconic pop tart taste—flaky crust, luscious strawberry filling, and the perfect glaze on top. I like grabbing refrigerated pie crusts because they save loads of time but still bake beautifully.

• Refrigerated premade pie crusts: Make sure they’re at room temperature before unrolling for easier handling.
• Strawberry jam: Choose a chunky or smooth jam, depending on your texture preference—both work wonderfully.
• Egg: Used for the egg wash that seals the edges and gives a golden finish.
• Confectioners sugar: For a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth icing that balances the fruity filling.
• Milk: To thin the icing just enough for easy spreading.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, cozy flavor to the icing.
• Red food coloring (just one drop!): Gives the icing a lovely pink tint—totally optional but I love the pop of color.
• Sprinkles: Red and pink sprinkles make them feel extra festive and fun.

Variations

I love that you can easily customize this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe to match seasons, dietary needs, or just your mood. You’ll find it fun experimenting with fillings and toppings once you get the hang of the basic version.

• Different Jam Fillings: I once tried raspberry and my family went crazy for it—give blueberry or apricot a shot, too!
• Vegan Version: Swap the egg wash for a plant-based milk + maple syrup mix, and choose vegan pie crust to keep it dairy and egg-free.
• No-Bake Icing: Skip the vanilla and red food coloring for a simple powdered sugar glaze that really lets the jam shine.
• Fun Shapes: While hearts are my favorite, stars or circles work beautifully—especially for holidays or themed parties.

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

Step 1: Roll Out and Cut Your Crusts

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Then, unroll your premade pie crusts on a lightly floured surface or parchment paper—this makes rolling and maneuvering them a breeze. Grab a heart-shaped cookie cutter (or your preferred shape) and cut as many pieces as you can by rotating and repositioning the cutter. Don’t worry if there’s scrap crust left; just knead it lightly and roll it out again about 1/8 inch thick to make more shapes. This step feels like a little puzzle and is kind of fun!

Step 2: Add Jam and Seal with Egg Wash

Place half of your cut-out shapes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Dollop about one tablespoon of strawberry jam in the center of each shape—it doesn’t need to be perfectly spread, as it will spread evenly during baking, which I’ve learned the hard way! Beat one egg in a small bowl and use a pastry brush (or your finger if you don’t have one) to paint the inside edges of each jam-topped piece. This helps the top seals stick perfectly. Then, carefully place a matching heart on top. Press the edges gently with your fingertips, then use a fork to crimp around the edges, sealing the tart and giving it that classic look.

Step 3: Vent, Egg Wash, and Bake

Use the fork to poke a few small holes in the top of each pop tart—this lets steam escape during baking and keeps them from puffing up too much. Brush the tops with the remaining egg wash for that beautiful golden sheen. Pop them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes until they’re golden brown. Watching them bake is the hardest part because the smell is irresistible!

Step 4: Cool and Ice Your Pop Tarts

Let your pop tarts cool completely on a wire rack. Patience here is key so the icing doesn’t melt off. While they’re cooling, whisk together your icing by combining confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add just one drop of red food coloring for a lovely pink tint—that little touch makes me smile every time. Spread or spoon the icing over the cooled pop tarts and sprinkle with festive red and pink sprinkles. Now you have picture-perfect homemade strawberry pop tarts ready to devour!

How to Serve Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding brightly colored sprinkles not just for the visual pop but because the slight crunch adds a fun texture contrast. If I’m feeling fancy, I sometimes grate a little white chocolate over the icing right after it sets for a decadent touch.

Side Dishes

These pop tarts are a treat on their own, but I often serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad or a simple dollop of whipped cream for brunch. A hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk perfectly rounds out the combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or Valentine’s Day, I’ve turned these into little dessert sandwiches by spreading a thin layer of berry cream cheese between two tarts. I also love arranging them on a pretty platter with fresh strawberries and edible flowers—guaranteed to wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover pop tarts store best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I like to layer parchment paper between them to keep the icing from sticking. They’ve held up well this way without losing flakiness or freshness.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead, you can freeze uniced pop tarts before baking or fully baked tarts after cooling (without icing). Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, they freeze beautifully for up to a month. Just thaw fully before icing or reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftover pop tarts in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked texture. Avoid microwaving—it makes the crust soggy. If you’ve already iced them, a quick warm-up helps the filling soften without melting the icing too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe has truly become a family favorite in my kitchen — the kind of treat I’m proud to serve any day, not just special occasions. It’s approachable, customizable, and honestly so satisfying to pull out of the oven. I hope you’ll give it a try and fall in love with the fun of making pop tarts from scratch. There’s just something joyful about biting into that flaky crust and sweet strawberry center that brings back warm memories and new ones, too. Happy baking!

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