Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies are the kind of nostalgic treat that makes you smile from the first bite. Imagine soft, chewy cookies packed with bits of real strawberry Pop-Tarts, swirled with sweet strawberry jam, and topped with a luscious vanilla glaze and sprinkles for that iconic “Pop Tart” look. Every cookie is a playful twist on a classic, perfect for sharing with friends, kids, or anyone needing a little burst of joy. Whether you’re reliving your childhood or just hunting for a creative new dessert, these are sure to become an instant favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies recipe is made with just a few pantry staples plus a couple of magical ingredients that make it pop. Each ingredient brings a special element to create the ultimate soft, flavorful, and fun cookie. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Gives the cookies richness and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens and helps crisp the edges beautifully.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Adds caramel undertones and extra moisture for chewiness.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and provides structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses warm, bakery-style aroma and flavor.
- All-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups): Forms the foundation for a soft, chewy crumb.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for soft centers.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies all the flavors.
- Chopped strawberry Pop-Tarts (3/4 cup, about 2 pastries): Star ingredient! Bold strawberry flavor and fun little jammy bits in every bite.
- Strawberry jam (1/4 cup): Boosts the strawberry flavor and creates a signature pop of color and gooeyness.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup, for glaze): The base for a silky-smooth, sweet finishing drizzle.
- Milk (2 tablespoons, for glaze): Thins the glaze until it’s the perfect drizzling consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1/4 teaspoon, for glaze): Adds a little extra depth and classic bakery flavor to the icing.
- Red or pink sprinkles (optional): For playful color, crunchy texture, and that signature Pop-Tart vibe.
How to Make Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets & Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This not only keeps your cookies from sticking, but also ensures they bake up evenly with golden bottoms and soft centers.
Step 2: Cream Together Butter & Sugars
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light, creamy, and fluffy. This step is essential for that irresistible chewy texture, so beat a couple of minutes for the best results.
Step 3: Add Egg & Vanilla
Next, beat in your egg and that lovely teaspoon of vanilla extract. This duo brings moisture, flavor, and ensures every bite of your Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies is soft and tender.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Combining the dry ingredients beforehand guarantees they’ll be evenly distributed throughout your dough for perfect cookies every time.
Step 5: Combine and Fold in Pop-Tarts
Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined (don’t overmix!). Then gently fold in the chopped strawberry Pop-Tarts, making sure those iconic fruity bits are sprinkled all through the dough.
Step 6: Shape, Add Jam, and Bake
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Now comes the fun: use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a shallow well in each dough ball, then fill each with a small dollop of strawberry jam. Pop them in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden and the tops look soft but set.
Step 7: Cool, Glaze, and Decorate
Let the cookies cool on their baking sheets for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While they cool completely, whisk up the simple glaze (powdered sugar, milk, and a dash of vanilla), then drizzle it over the cooled cookies and add sprinkles if you like. Admire the bakery-worthy magic before digging in!
How to Serve Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies
Garnishes
A final flourish of pink or red sprinkles takes these cookies from cute to completely irresistible. If you want to go the extra mile, toss on a scattering of crushed freeze-dried strawberries, a little edible glitter, or even a swirl of extra jam for dramatic flair.
Side Dishes
Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies pair perfectly with a good glass of cold milk, but they’re also a delightful treat with hot cocoa, strawberry lemonade, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. For brunch, set them out with a bowl of fresh mixed berries to keep the fruity theme going.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a few cookies in cellophane bags tied with red ribbon for adorable party favors, or tuck them into lunchboxes as a cheerful surprise. For gatherings, serve them on a platter with whole Pop-Tarts cut into triangles as a fun, playful nod to what’s inside each cookie. These make a showstopping addition to a dessert board for birthday parties or sleepovers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The flavors will stay bright, and the glaze will set perfectly so they’re just as irresistible on day two or three.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the baked and cooled cookies (before glazing) in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature and add the glaze and sprinkles after defrosting for that fresh-baked finish.
Reheating
To refresh that out-of-the-oven magic, pop the cookies in a 300°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes, or give them a quick microwave zap for about 10 seconds. Just be sure to add glaze and sprinkles after reheating for the best look and taste.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of Pop-Tart?
Absolutely! While Strawberries are classic, feel free to swap in any fruit-flavored Pop-Tart for a wild twist. Blueberry, cherry, or even wild berry can add an exciting variation that’ll keep things fresh.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling required for this recipe, which means cookies are in the oven even faster! The dough holds its shape nicely, especially with all those Pop-Tart pieces, so you can scoop and bake right away.
Can I make mini Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies?
Definitely! Use a teaspoon-sized scoop for bite-sized cookies, and decrease the bake time by a couple of minutes. They’ll be just as fun and even more snackable.
What’s the best way to get neat, drizzly glaze?
Let your cookies cool completely, then use a small spoon or fork to drizzle the glaze back and forth in zigzags over each cookie. If you want a thicker or thinner glaze, tweak the milk-to-powdered sugar ratio by a few drops at a time.
Can I swap the jam for something else?
You sure can! Try raspberry or cherry jam for a flavor twist, or even a little lemon curd for zingy brightness. The cookie base is a canvas for any fruity add-in you crave.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a playful treat that brings big smiles and even bigger flavor, Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies are definitely the answer. They’re fun to make, a blast to eat, and guaranteed to spark happy memories (or new traditions) for anyone who tries them. Give this recipe a go—your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic toaster pastries. Soft, buttery cookies filled with strawberry jam and topped with a sweet glaze, they make a fun and nostalgic treat for all ages.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chopped strawberry Pop-Tarts (about 2 pastries)
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- red or pink sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in chopped Pop-Tarts.
- Form Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto baking sheets. Make an indent in each dough ball and add strawberry jam.
- Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden. Cool on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
- Make Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle over cooled cookies and add sprinkles.
Notes
- You can use raspberry or cherry jam as substitutes.
- For added texture, include white chocolate chips or crushed freeze-dried strawberries in the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
