Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies

These strawberry pop tart sugar cookies bring together the best of nostalgic flavors and homemade goodness. They are soft yet slightly crisp with a sweet strawberry center that makes each bite a little celebration. Perfect for gifting or enjoying with your afternoon tea, these cookies blend the charm of classic pop tarts and the ease of sugar cookie dough.

I first baked these for a friend’s birthday party, and everyone was raving about how the familiar flavors were wrapped up in such an irresistible cookie form. Now they show up regularly in my holiday baking lineup.

Gather Your Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: to provide structure choose unbleached for better flavor and texture
• Baking soda: to help cookies rise and stay soft make sure it’s fresh for best results
• Salt: to balance sweetness and enhance the cookie’s flavor kosher salt works well
• Unsalted butter: softened which contributes to that rich tender crumb quality unsalted butter makes a difference
• Granulated sugar: to give sweetness and a slight crunch to the edges
• Powdered sugar: adds extra tenderness and helps avoid gritty texture
• Eggs: to bind everything together and add moisture large eggs recommended for consistency
• Vanilla extract: for depth of flavor pure vanilla extract always beats imitation for the best aroma

How to Make It

Preheat the oven:

Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit ensuring even cooking throughout. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.

Mix the dry ingredients:

In a medium bowl whisk together flour baking soda and salt thoroughly. This ensures even distribution of leavening and seasoning.

Cream the butter and sugars:

Using a stand or hand mixer beat the softened butter granulated sugar and powdered sugar together until the mixture is airy and pale. This will take about three to four minutes and is key to get light cookies.

Incorporate the eggs and vanilla:

Add eggs one at a time fully mixing after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract carefully to build rich flavor without overpowering.

Combine dry and wet mixtures:

Gradually blend the flour mixture into the wet ingredients on low speed or fold by hand. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Shape the cookies:

Scoop about one tablespoon of dough and roll into balls then flatten into discs roughly two inches wide. Press a shallow well in the center of half the discs to hold the jam.

Fill with strawberry jam and seal:

Gently spoon a teaspoon of strawberry jam into the well of half your cookie discs. Top each with a plain disc and seal edges by pressing firmly or crimping with a fork to trap the jam inside.

Bake to perfection:

Place cookies on prepared sheets and bake for ten to twelve minutes until edges turn lightly golden. Leave them on the baking sheet for five minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional finishing touch:

Drizzle a simple icing made from powdered sugar and a bit of milk to add sweetness and decorate with sprinkles if desired for extra fun and color.

I love the burst of strawberry jam at the center. It reminds me of summer afternoons when my grandmother used to make homemade preserves. Baking these cookies brings back that warm feeling of family and tradition.

Flavor Boosters

Serve these cookies with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. They also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or herbal tea.

Serving Suggestions

Sugar cookies in filled forms like pop tarts have been a nostalgic favorite in American dessert culture. In spring and summer berry fillings like strawberry bring a fresh feel but could easily be swapped for apple or blueberry in fall and winter.

Creative Twists

Friends made these cookies as a surprise for a bake sale and sold out early. One reader shared how their kids asked for these as their birthday party snack every year now.

These cookies combine nostalgic flavors with homemade charm, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy baking them with care to ensure delicious results every time.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ What gives these cookies their strawberry flavor?

The sweet strawberry flavor comes from the jam filling placed in the center of each cookie before baking, adding a fruity burst with every bite.

→ Can I substitute different jams for the strawberry filling?

Yes, you can use various fruit jams such as raspberry, blueberry, or apricot to customize the flavor while keeping the same preparation method.

→ How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Ensuring the dough is well chilled before shaping and using the correct flour amount helps maintain the cookies' shape and prevents excess spreading.

→ Is it necessary to use both granulated and powdered sugar in the dough?

The combination of granulated and powdered sugar contributes to the dough’s texture, offering both sweetness and a tender crumb.

→ Can these cookies be stored for later consumption?

Yes, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer preservation without compromising flavor.