Homemade Pop Tarts
These aren’t your childhood Pop Tarts. We’re talking flaky pastry, tangy cream cheese, sweet preserves, and a vanilla glaze that actually tastes like vanilla. Whether you’re using puff pastry (like we did for time’s sake) or a homemade pie crust, this treat brings all the nostalgic joy with grown-up flavor. Bonus points if you eat it while standing over the sink like a feral little goblin — we don’t judge.
Ingredients
For the Pop Tarts:
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (or 1 standard pie dough round)
3–4 tbsp strawberry preserves (or jam of choice)
1 tsp cream cheese (optional, but adds tangy richness)
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
Rainbow sprinkles (for maximum joy)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 4375°F
Roll out the puff pastry just slightly and cut into even rectangles — you’ll need two per tart.
Place a spoonful of preserves in the center of half the rectangles.
Add about 1 tsp of cream cheese on top of the preserves (spread slightly).
Top with the other half of the rectangles and use a fork to crimp the edges.
Brush the tops with egg wash and poke a few holes for steam to escape.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and puffy.
While baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make your glaze.
Let pop tarts cool slightly, then spoon over the glaze and finish with sprinkles.
Let the glaze set (or don’t, we get it), and dig in.
Tips & Notes
Pie dough gives a firmer, more traditional Pop Tart vibe. Puff pastry is flakier and easier for shortcuts.
Try it with other fillings: raspberry jam, Nutella, or lemon curd + cream cheese are all top-tier choices.
Want to make a grown-up version? Use a bourbon vanilla glaze or infuse the preserves with a splash of rum.
Whiskey – Strawberry Bourbon Smash
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
2–3 fresh strawberries
0.75 oz lemon juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
4–5 mint leaves
Instructions: Muddle strawberries, mint, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker. Add bourbon and ice, shake, and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with mint or a strawberry slice.
Tequila – Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila
4 oz orange juice
0.5 oz grenadine
Instructions: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in tequila and orange juice. Slowly drizzle in grenadine so it sinks, creating the “sunrise” effect. Do not stir. Garnish with an orange wheel or cherry.
Vodka – Lemon Drop Martini
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
0.5 oz triple sec
0.75 oz lemon juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe or martini glass. Optional sugar rim for a sweet touch. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Rum – Strawberry Mojito
Ingredients:
2 oz white rum
0.75 oz lime juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
2–3 strawberries, sliced
5–6 mint leaves
Club soda to top
Instructions: Muddle strawberries, mint, and simple syrup in a glass. Add rum and lime juice, then fill with ice. Top with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with mint and a strawberry.
Gin – Clover Club
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
0.5 oz raspberry syrup or grenadine
0.75 oz lemon juice
1 egg white (optional for foam)
Instructions: Dry shake (no ice) all ingredients for 10 seconds, then shake again with ice. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a few raspberries or a lemon twist.
Brandy/Cognac – Sidecar
Ingredients:
2 oz cognac or brandy
0.75 oz triple sec (like Cointreau)
0.75 oz lemon juice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe glass. Optional sugared rim. Garnish with an orange peel or lemon twist.