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Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 65 reviews

Delight in these homemade Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies featuring a buttery, soft cookie filled with a sweet strawberry jam and topped with a smooth vanilla icing and festive sanding sugar. Perfectly baked to have a light, tender texture, these treats combine the nostalgic flavor of classic pop tarts with the irresistible charm of a cookie.

Ingredients

Scale

For the cookie:

  • 1 cup salted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract, optional
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp whole milk
  • 1 tbsp corn starch
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt

For the jam:

  • 1 cup strawberry preserves
  • 2 tbsp corn starch

For the icing:

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 3–5 tbsp milk or heavy cream
  • Sanding sugar or sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Prepare the jam: In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry preserves and corn starch until fully combined. Place this mixture in the freezer to allow it to set while preparing the dough.
  2. Make the cookie dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla extract, optional almond extract, eggs, and whole milk, and mix on low speed until just incorporated.
  3. Add dry ingredients: While the mixer is still running on low, gradually add the all-purpose flour, corn starch, baking powder, and kosher salt. Mix until just combined making sure not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
  4. Form dough balls: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons), scoop dough balls onto the parchment. If the dough feels too soft and difficult to handle, refrigerate for 10 minutes before proceeding.
  5. Preheat oven and prepare for assembling: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line another cookie sheet with parchment paper. Let the jam set in the freezer for about 30 minutes until thick.
  6. Assemble cookies: Take one dough ball at a time and flatten it gently in your hand. Place about 1 teaspoon of the chilled jam in the center of the dough. Fold the dough over the jam and seal tightly, rolling gently to form a round shape. Place on the prepared cookie sheet spacing only 2 inches apart as the cookies will spread.
  7. Bake the cookies: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are just set and starting to lightly brown. Avoid waiting for a golden brown color to prevent overbaking; these cookies are meant to stay light and tender.
  8. Shape the cookies: Remove from the oven and immediately press a larger bowl or cookie cutter over each cookie, gently moving it around to reshape the cookies into perfect circles. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Make the icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream. Add more milk 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached for spreading.
  10. Decorate the cookies: Spread the icing evenly on top of each cooled cookie. Sprinkle with sanding sugar or sprinkles for a festive finish. Serve and enjoy your Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies!

Notes

  • If the cookie dough is too soft to handle, refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm it up before assembling.
  • Do not overmix the dough to ensure the cookies stay tender and light.
  • Reshaping the cookies immediately after baking helps maintain a neat round shape as they spread while baking.
  • The jam must be chilled and thickened before assembling to prevent leaking during baking.
  • This recipe can be doubled for larger batches and the cookies freeze well after baking and icing.

Keywords: Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies, homemade cookies, strawberry jam cookies, iced cookies, sandwich cookies, pop tart inspired dessert, holiday cookies

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/strawberry-pop-tart-cookies-recipe/