Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies Recipe

Easy Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies Recipe – A Sweet Homemade Treat

Sweet strawberry pop tart cookies blend childhood nostalgia with grown-up baking creativity, revamping a classic breakfast treat into an irresistible dessert.

These magical cookies capture the essence of everyone’s favorite childhood pastry with a delightful twist.

Soft, crumbly textures merge seamlessly with vibrant fruity flavors that dance across your taste buds.

Homemade goodness shines through each carefully crafted bite, elevating the simple pop tart into a sophisticated culinary experience.

Each cookie promises a delightful balance between familiar comfort and innovative baking techniques.

The recipe revamps ordinary ingredients into extraordinary moments of pure culinary joy.

Bakers of all skill levels can create these delectable treats that spark memories and excitement.

Pro Tips for Glazing and Filling with Ease

  • Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create a more stable texture.
  • Seal Jam Carefully: Use your fingers to pinch and smooth edges completely, preventing jam from leaking during baking.
  • Check Jam Temperature: Let strawberry jam cool slightly before filling to avoid melting the cookie dough.
  • Frost at the Right Time: Ensure cookies are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting and maintain a clean, crisp decoration.
  • Use Quality Ingredients: Select fresh, high-quality strawberry jam and pure vanilla extract for the most vibrant flavor profile.

How to Keep Pop Tart Cookies Fresh and Fun

  • Refrigeration: Store cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Reheating: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore softness and bring out the vibrant strawberry jam flavor.

Fun Drinks and Treats to Pair with These Cookies

  • Pair with Creamy Beverage: Indulge these sweet strawberry pop tart cookies with a cold glass of whole milk or vanilla milkshake to complement the rich, creamy frosting and enhance the dessert's sweetness.
  • Match with Complementary Dessert: Serve alongside light lemon sorbet or vanilla bean ice cream to balance the cookie's intense strawberry flavor and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich texture.
  • Create Breakfast Companion: Enjoy with a hot cappuccino or strawberry smoothie to elevate the pop tart cookie experience and add a delightful morning twist to this nostalgic treat.
  • Enhance with Fruit Pairing: Garnish the plate with fresh strawberry slices or add a small fruit compote to intensify the strawberry notes and provide a fresh, vibrant element to the dessert.
  • Raspberry Jam Remix: Swap strawberry jam with tangy raspberry preserves for a vibrant fruity flavor profile that adds a zesty punch to the classic cookie.
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Fusion: Fold semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cookie dough before filling, creating a rich and decadent version that combines two beloved treats.
  • Tropical Coconut Crunch: Incorporate shredded coconut into the frosting and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical-inspired cookie with added texture and nutty undertones.
  • Blueberry Burst Edition: Replace strawberry jam with blueberry preserves and use a hint of lemon zest in the frosting to brighten the overall flavor and create a summer-inspired cookie experience.

Why Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies Bring Back Sweet Nostalgia

  • Burst of Nostalgic Flavor: These cookies capture the beloved childhood pop tart taste with a sophisticated homemade twist, blending sweet strawberry jam and creamy frosting into a single delightful bite.
  • Surprise-Filled Texture Adventure: Each cookie offers a delicious hidden center of jammy goodness, creating an unexpected explosion of fruity flavor when you take a bite, with a soft, tender cookie exterior that crackles perfectly.
  • Quick and Impressive Baking Experience: The recipe requires minimal technical skills but delivers maximum visual and taste impact, allowing even novice bakers to create bakery-worthy treats in just under 30 minutes from start to finish.
  • Playful Decorative Potential: Multicolored sprinkles transform these cookies into a festive, eye-catching dessert perfect for parties, family gatherings, or simply brightening up an ordinary day with a touch of whimsy and color.

What Goes Into Strawberry Pop Tart-Inspired Cookies

Cookie Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie dough.
  • Granulated White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, chewy texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Gives richness and helps bind the cookie ingredients together.
  • Large Egg: Acts as a binding agent and provides moisture to the dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a light, soft texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the cookie's flavors.
Filling Ingredient:
  • Strawberry Jam: Provides a fruity, sweet center that mimics the classic pop tart filling.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese, Salted Butter: Creates a creamy, rich base for the frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps thicken the frosting.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides additional depth of flavor to the frosting.
  • Milk or Heavy Cream: Helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
Decoration Ingredient:
  • Multicolored or Red Sprinkles: Adds a fun, colorful finish to the cookies.

How to Make Pop Tart Cookies with a Gooey Center

Step 1: Prepare Cookie Dough Mixture

Grab your stand mixer or electric hand mixer. Toss in butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Whip everything on high speed until the mixture looks cloud-like and fluffy. Scrape down bowl sides to ensure perfect blending.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Pour in egg and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until everything looks smooth and airy.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Sprinkle in salt and baking soda. Mix gently. Slowly add flour, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Stop when dough feels soft but not sticky.

Step 4: Create Cookie Bases

Set oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Use 1/4 cup scoop to create 12 dough balls.

Step 5: Fill Cookies With Strawberry Jam

Hold each dough ball and press a deep center indentation using a tablespoon.

Fill the center with strawberry jam:
  • Strawberry jam

Carefully seal jam inside by closing dough edges. Roll back into smooth ball.

Step 6: Bake Cookies

Place 6 cookie dough balls on each baking sheet. Space them evenly.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until surface starts cracking.

Step 7: Prepare Creamy Frosting

In a large bowl, blend:
  • Cream cheese
  • Salted butter

Mix on medium-high speed until smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed.

Pour in vanilla extract and milk. Beat until spreadable.

Step 8: Decorate Cookies

Let cookies cool completely.

Spread generous frosting layer on each cookie.

Sprinkle with:
  • Multicolored sprinkles
  • Red sprinkles

Step 9: Store and Serve

Enjoy immediately or store in airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

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Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies Recipe

Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Strawberry pop tart cookies blend nostalgic childhood flavors with classic cookie comfort. Crisp edges and gooey strawberry filling create a playful dessert that brings sweet memories to life for anyone craving a delightful treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (226 grams) salted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) white granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) light brown sugar
  • 2 ½ to 3 cups (313 to 375 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (320 grams) strawberry jam

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting Ingredients:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons (57 grams) salted butter, room temperature
  • 3 cups (360 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) whole milk or heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons multicolored or red sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Cream softened butter with white and brown sugars in a mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3 minutes, periodically scraping bowl sides.
  2. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until the batter appears fluffy and uniform.
  3. Gently fold in salt and baking soda, then gradually introduce flour at low speed until the dough reaches a smooth, cohesive consistency.
  4. Heat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.
  5. Portion dough into 12 equal spheres using a 1/4 cup measuring tool.
  6. Create a deep cavity in each dough ball’s center using a rounded tablespoon.
  7. Carefully fill each indentation with strawberry jam, sealing edges completely and reshaping into smooth rounds.
  8. Arrange dough balls on prepared sheets, maintaining adequate spacing between cookies.
  9. Bake single sheet for 10-12 minutes until surface develops subtle cracking.
  10. While cookies bake, whip cream cheese and butter until creamy and integrated.
  11. Gradually mix powdered sugar into the butter mixture, then blend in vanilla and milk until frosting reaches spreadable consistency.
  12. Allow cookies to cool thoroughly on baking sheets.
  13. Generously coat each cooled cookie with prepared frosting.
  14. Embellish with vibrant sprinkles for a playful, pop tart-inspired appearance.
  15. Serve immediately or preserve in sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Jam-filling requires careful sealing to prevent leakage during baking, so press edges gently and smooth out any visible cracks.
  • Chilling dough for 30 minutes before filling can help prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
  • Use room temperature ingredients, especially butter and egg, to ensure smooth and even cookie texture.
  • Bake one sheet at a time for consistent heat distribution and perfectly golden-brown cookies.
  • Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain decorative appearance.
  • Store cookies in single layers with parchment paper between them to preserve sprinkle decoration and prevent sticking.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 160 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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