We’re back with a recipe that promises to delight your taste buds and bring a touch of nostalgia to your kitchen.
If you enjoyed our strawberry pop tarts, you’re in for a treat because today, we’re diving into a recipe for Homemade Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts—my personal favorite flavor.
This recipe is all about embracing the comforting flavors of brown sugar and cinnamon, wrapped in a perfectly flaky crust, and topped with a sweet glaze.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ½ cup cold water
For the Filling
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter
For the Glaze
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Begin by placing the flour, salt, sugar, and butter into a food processor.
Pulse the mixture a few times until the butter pieces are roughly the size of peas.
This will ensure that your crust turns out beautifully flaky.
Gradually stream in the cold water while pulsing the mixture until it starts to come together.
You should see the dough clumping around the blade.
Once the dough forms, transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
Gently knead it into a ball, being careful not to overwork it.
Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and chill them in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
This resting period helps the dough become easier to roll out and ensures a tender crust.
Step 2: Make the Filling
While the dough chills, it’s the perfect time to prepare the filling.
In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
Mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated, and you have a smooth, spreadable filling.
Set this mixture aside as you move on to the next steps.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
Preheat your oven to 300˚F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
On a floured surface, roll out each half of the chilled dough into a square approximately 14 x 14 inches in size.
Aim for the dough to be about 1/8 inch thick.
Once rolled out, cut the dough into rectangles that are roughly 3.5 x 4.75 inches.
These will form the base and top of your pop tarts.
Step 4: Assemble the Pop Tarts
Place half of the dough rectangles onto the prepared sheet pan.
Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar cinnamon filling onto the center of each rectangle, spreading it out evenly but leaving about ⅓ inch border around the edges.
To seal the pop tarts, beat an egg yolk and brush it around the edges of the filled rectangles.
This helps the top and bottom dough pieces adhere together.
Next, place the remaining dough rectangles on top of the filled ones.
Press down gently on the edges to seal them, and then use a fork to crimp around the edges, creating a decorative pattern and ensuring the filling stays put.
Dock the tops of the pop tarts with a skewer or fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake the pop tarts in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
They should turn a very light brown when done, with slightly browned bottoms.
Let the pop tarts cool slightly on a wire rack before glazing.
Step 6: Make and Apply the Glaze
While the pop tarts cool, prepare the glaze.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and then stir in the brown sugar and milk.
Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking continuously for 1 to 2 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until smooth.
Quickly spread the glaze over the slightly cooled pop tarts.
The glaze will set up quickly, so work efficiently.
If the glaze becomes too thick, you can return it to the heat to loosen it up before applying.
Enjoy Your Homemade Treat!
These Homemade Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts are a perfect blend of sweet and spiced, encased in a buttery, flaky crust.
They make for a delightful breakfast or a comforting snack.
Each bite brings a taste of homemade goodness that’s better than anything you can buy in the store.
We hope you enjoy making and indulging in these delicious pop tarts as much as we do.
Happy baking!