Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies (Printable)
Handheld buttery sugar cookies filled with strawberry jam, glazed and sprinkled for a nostalgic, fun dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Sugar Cookie Base
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
→ Strawberry 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 Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 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 unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture. Beat until fully combined and smooth.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
06 - Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in the palm of your hand. Place 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry jam in the center, then cover 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.
07 - Place the filled cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
08 - 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.
09 - In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a drop of food coloring if desired, until the glaze is smooth and slightly thickened. Spread the glaze over the fully cooled cookies and decorate with rainbow sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The jam center bursts with real fruit flavor that tastes infinitely better than anything from a foil wrapper.
- They look impressive enough for a bake sale but come together with ingredients you probably already have.
02 -
- Seal those cookie edges like your reputation depends on it because jam will find any gap and leak onto your baking sheet, creating a sticky mess and hollow cookies.
- Do not skip the full cooling time because even slightly warm cookies will turn your beautiful glaze into a runny puddle.
03 -
- Chill the jam in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before assembling so it is thicker and much easier to contain inside each cookie.
- A tiny pinch of cinnamon in the dough adds a warmth that makes these taste closer to the real pop tart experience without anyone being able to identify the secret ingredient.