Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies (Printer-friendly)
Buttery sugar cookies filled with strawberry jam, glazed and sprinkled for a nostalgic, hand-held dessert.
# What You Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Filling
09 - 1/2 cup strawberry jam
→ Glaze and Decoration
10 - 1 cup powdered sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons milk
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Red or pink food coloring (optional)
14 - Rainbow sprinkles for decorating
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
05 - Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry jam in the center, then top with another tablespoon of dough. Pinch the edges together to seal completely and gently roll into a smooth ball. Repeat with the remaining dough and jam.
06 - Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
07 - Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a drop of food coloring if desired, until smooth and slightly thick. Spread the glaze over the cooled cookies and decorate with rainbow sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The jam center bursts with real fruit flavor, not the gummy filling of store bought pastries.
- You get all the nostalgic joy of a Pop Tart without leaving your kitchen or waiting for the toaster.
- Kids lose their minds helping seal the dough balls and drowning everything in sprinkles.
02 -
- Seal those dough edges like your life depends on it because jam will find any gap and burn on the pan, creating a sticky mess.
- Let the cookies cool completely before glazing or the heat will melt the frosting right off into a translucent puddle.
03 -
- Chill the assembled cookie balls for ten minutes before baking to help them hold their round shape and prevent jam from seeping out the bottom.
- Use a jam that is not too runny because thick preserves stay put inside the dough much better than a loose jelly.