Homemade Pop-Tarts

I read this recipe in Edible Monterey and couldn’t wait to try it using my homemade jams.   They were the tastiest pop-tarts I’ve tasted.  I shared them with my friends & they loved them!  The recipe was shared by the chef, Jordan Champagne, of Happy Girl Kitchen Co. in Pacific Grove.  

Tart

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 sticks of butter 
• 1/3 to 2/3 cup ice water

Icing (optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon liquid

Instructions:

Tarts

1.  Combine together all the dry ingredients.  Grate the butter on the largest side of the cheese grater.   Work in the butter with your Ingres as quickly as possible so that you end up with tiny butter pieces covered in flour.  It is important to work quickly to not overwork the mixture to assure you will have a flaky crust.

2.  Next, add a little bit o ice water at a time until the dough just comes together.  The colder the water, the better to assure a flaky crust.  Pop the dough in the refrigerate the dough for 10-20 minutes to “chill it back down”. 

3. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick.   Cut matching top and bottoms of pastry dough.  I cut rectangles with a knife, but you can use cookie cutters or biscuit cutters to create fun shapes as well.

4. Place a good amount of jam in the middle of the dough and lay the top layer on the top.  You do not want to overfill your  pop-tart with jam or else it will ooze out.  The amount of jam needed will depend on the size of your pop-tart.  Next pinch the sides together with a fork all the way around the perimeter.  Return the tarts back in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking.

5. Bake the pop-tarts in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.  

Icing

The pop-tarts are delicious without icing; however if you are wanting that extra tricked out pop-tart, then by all means make icing.   To are colored icing you many want to consider using natural food ingredients to dye the frosting.  Jordan recommends green juice for green, hibiscus tea for magenta, turmeric for yellow.    There is also the option of fun flavors like chocolate, cinnamon or cardamom that you may consider as well.

Once pop-tarts are cooled, drizzle the icing over the tart with a spoon and ENJOY!