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Discover the joy of homemade baking with our Sweet Strawberry Dreams Pop Tarts recipe. This delightful treat combines a flaky pastry with a luscious strawberry filling, topped off with a sweet icing that brings a touch of nostalgia to your kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these pop tarts not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also offer a fun and interactive baking experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making these delicious pastries from scratch, exploring the ingredients, techniques, and tips to ensure your pop tarts turn out perfectly every time.

Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Indulge in the delightful world of homemade baking with Sweet Strawberry Dreams Pop Tarts. This easy recipe combines flaky pastry with a luscious strawberry filling and a sweet icing, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Experience the joy of making these nostalgic treats from scratch, while enjoying the chance to customize flavors to your liking. Follow our step-by-step guide to create pop tarts that are as delicious as they are fun to make!
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Ingredients
  

For the Pastry:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

6 to 8 tablespoons ice water

For the Strawberry Filling:

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: sprinkles for decoration

Instructions
 

Make the Pastry:

    - In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar. Whisk together until well-mixed.

      - Add in the chilled, cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, resembling small peas.

        - Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition until the dough begins to come together.

          - Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap each one in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the dough to firm up.

            Prepare the Filling:

              - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the hulled and chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and salt.

                - Stir the mixture occasionally and allow it to cook until the strawberries release their juices, and the filling thickens, usually around 5 to 7 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.

                  Roll Out the Pastry:

                    - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

                      - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of the chilled pastry dough to about 1/8 inch thick.

                        - Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the rolled dough into rectangles of about 4x6 inches for the bottom crust.

                          - Transfer half of these rectangles to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

                            Assemble the Pop Tarts:

                              - Spoon approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cooled strawberry filling onto the center of each pastry rectangle on the baking sheet.

                                - Roll out the second disc of pastry and cut out matching rectangles for the tops. Carefully place these over the filled bottom pieces.

                                  - Press the edges of the top and bottom layers together using a fork to seal them, ensuring that none of the filling escapes during baking. Make a few small slits in the top crust to create vents for steam to escape.

                                    Bake:

                                      - Lightly brush the tops of the pop tarts with water or an egg wash (made with 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of water) for a beautifully golden finish.

                                        - Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pop tarts are golden brown and puffed up.

                                          - Once baked, remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.

                                            Prepare the Icing:

                                              - In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. If the icing seems too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

                                                Ice and Decorate:

                                                  - Once the pop tarts are completely cool, drizzle the prepared icing over the top of each pastry. If desired, sprinkle with colorful sprinkles to add a festive touch.

                                                    Enjoy:

                                                      - Serve your delightful homemade strawberry pop tarts either fresh or store them in an airtight container for later enjoyment. If you wish to warm them up, simply pop them into the toaster for a tasty treat!

                                                        Prep Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours | Servings: 8