Name: Fail-Proof Brown Sugar Pop Tarts Recipe in Just 2 Hours
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 1 Tbsp. powdered sugar (optional); 2 tsp. kosher salt (or 1 tsp. fine salt); 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes, cold; 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, cut into cubes, cold (or you can use 1/2 cup more butter in place of the shortening ); 6-8 Tbsp. ice cold water; 3/4 cup dark brown sugar; 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon; 1 1/2 Tbsp. all purpose flour; 1 tsp. kosher salt (or 1/4 – 1/2 tsp. fine salt ); 3-4 Tbsp. melted butter, unsalted; splash vanilla extract; 1 egg, whisked with a splash of milk or water; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup; 1-2 Tbsp. whole milk; 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe

Okay, who here *didn’t* grow up with Pop Tarts? I swear, those foil-wrapped rectangles of sugary goodness were a staple of my childhood! I remember fighting with my sister over the Brown Sugar Pop Tarts – they were *always* the first to go. But let’s be honest, as much as I loved ’em, they were kinda… processed. So, I thought, “Why not make a *real* version? A homemade Brown Sugar Pop Tart that’s actually, you know, good for you (ish)?”

And that’s exactly what I did! This isn’t your average toaster pastry, folks. We’re talking flaky, buttery crust, a gooey, cinnamon-y brown sugar filling that’ll make you swoon, and a sweet glaze that sets it all off. Trust me, these homemade Brown Sugar Pop Tarts are a serious upgrade. I’ve been tweaking this recipe for ages, and I think I’ve finally nailed it. Get ready to relive your childhood – but with way better flavor!

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

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Okay, so why should you ditch the store-bought stuff and make these Brown Sugar Pop Tarts yourself? Let me tell you, it’s SO worth it. Here’s the lowdown:

Benefits of Making Your Own Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

Taste Superiority

Seriously, there’s just no comparison. These homemade versions are bursting with flavor! You get that rich, buttery crust and that intense brown sugar cinnamon filling. It’s like, ten times better than anything you’d find in a box. Promise!

Control Over Ingredients

Ever read the ingredient list on a Pop Tart box? Yikes! Making them yourself means you know *exactly* what’s going in. Real butter, good quality cinnamon… you get to choose! No weird preservatives or artificial flavors here.

A Fun Baking Activity

Baking these Brown Sugar Pop Tarts is actually a blast! Get the kids involved, put on some music, and make it a whole thing. It’s way more fun than just shoving something in the toaster, and the reward is ridiculously delicious. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of cinnamon baking in the oven?

The Key to Delicious Brown Sugar Pop Tarts: Ingredients

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! This isn’t rocket science, but using good stuff *definitely* makes a difference. Here’s what you’ll need for these amazing Brown Sugar Pop Tarts:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – Don’t pack it!
1 Tbsp powdered sugar (optional) – Adds a *touch* of sweetness to the crust.
2 tsp kosher salt (or 1 tsp fine salt) – Salt is key, don’t skip it!
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes, COLD – Seriously, keep it cold!
1/2 cup vegetable shortening, cut into cubes, cold (or you can use 1/2 cup more butter in place of the shortening) – Shortening makes the crust extra flaky, but all butter works too!
6-8 Tbsp ice cold water – Add it slowly, you might not need it all!
3/4 cup dark brown sugar – The darker the better, for that rich flavor.
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon – I like a lot, but you can adjust to your taste.
1 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour – Helps thicken the filling.
1 tsp kosher salt (or 1/4 – 1/2 tsp fine salt) – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
3-4 Tbsp melted butter, unsalted – For the filling, makes it extra gooey!
splash vanilla extract – Adds a little somethin’ somethin’.
1 egg, whisked with a splash of milk or water – For the egg wash, gives ’em that golden shine.
1 cup powdered sugar – For the glaze!
1/4 cup brown sugar – More brown sugar for the glaze!
2 Tbsp light corn syrup – Makes the glaze nice and glossy.
1-2 Tbsp whole milk – Add it slowly until you get the right consistency.
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon – Because you can never have too much cinnamon!
1/2 tsp vanilla extract – A little extra vanilla never hurt anyone.

How to Make Brown Sugar Pop Tarts: Step-by-Step Instructions

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Okay, here comes the fun part! Don’t be intimidated, making these Brown Sugar Pop Tarts is totally doable. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be munching on warm, homemade goodness in no time! I promise, it’s easier than it looks.

Preparing the Dough for Your Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

First up, the dough! This is where that cold butter and shortening come in. Trust me, cold ingredients are key for a flaky crust. You’ll want to pulse the flour, powdered sugar (if you’re using it!), and salt in a food processor. Then, add those cold butter and shortening cubes and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Slowly drizzle in the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough *just* comes together. It should feel like dough when you squeeze it between your fingers. Don’t overmix!

Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and gently form it into a disk. Divide it in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap ’em in plastic wrap, and pop them in the fridge. You gotta chill that dough for at least an hour, or even overnight. This is super important, so don’t skip it!

Creating the Brown Sugar Filling

While the dough is chilling, let’s make that amazing brown sugar filling! In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and salt. Then, stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract. It should form a thick, gooey paste. Mmm, already smells delicious, right?

Assembling Your Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

Alright, dough time! Take one of the disks out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for 5-10 minutes so it’s easier to roll. Roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out rectangles about 3.5 inches by 4.75 inches. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and stick them back in the fridge. Repeat with the other half of the dough. We want those rectangles cold!

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and a splash of milk or water for the egg wash. Now, take one baking sheet of rectangles out of the fridge. Lightly brush each rectangle with egg wash. Spread about a tablespoon of the brown sugar filling on half of the rectangles, leaving a border around the edges. Place another rectangle on top, egg-wash-side down, and gently press the edges together to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork for extra security and to make them look cute!

Stick those assembled pop tarts back in the fridge for another 30-60 minutes. This is another crucial chilling step, so don’t rush it!

Baking Your Brown Sugar Pop Tarts to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the pop tarts from the fridge and brush the tops with the remaining egg wash. Use a toothpick or something similar to poke 6-8 holes in the tops – this lets the steam escape and prevents them from exploding (oops!).

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the tops are a light golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Icing Your Homemade Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

While the pop tarts are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract for the icing. Add milk gradually until you get a thick, but spreadable consistency. Once the pop tarts are completely cool, spread the icing on top and let it set for about an hour. And that’s it! You’ve made your very own Brown Sugar Pop Tarts! Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

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Want to take your Brown Sugar Pop Tarts to the next level? Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks! Trust me, these will make a difference.

Don’t skip the chilling time! I know it’s tempting, but chilling the dough (and the assembled pop tarts!) is *essential* for preventing them from spreading and losing their shape in the oven.
Use *really* cold butter. I’m serious! The colder, the better. It’s what gives you that super flaky crust. I sometimes even stick my butter in the freezer for a few minutes before cubing it.
Adjust the icing consistency. Add the milk a little at a time until you get the perfect thickness. You want it to be spreadable, but not too runny!
Don’t overbake! Keep a close eye on those pop tarts in the oven. You want them to be golden brown, but not burnt.

Brown Sugar Pop Tarts: Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Okay, so you wanna get a little creative with your Brown Sugar Pop Tarts? I’m all for it! Here are a few ideas to switch things up and make ’em your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Alternative Flour Options for Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

Want a slightly different texture? Try using part whole wheat flour! I usually do a 50/50 mix with all-purpose. You could also try using gluten-free all-purpose blend, just make sure it’s a good one that’s meant for baking. It might change the texture slightly, but it’s worth a shot!

Flavor Variations for Your Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

Spice things up (literally!) by adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the brown sugar filling. Or, for a little crunch, stir in some chopped pecans or walnuts. Feeling adventurous? Drizzle some melted chocolate over the finished pop tarts. The possibilities are endless!

Storing and Reheating Your Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

Okay, so you’ve made a batch of these amazing Brown Sugar Pop Tarts, and you have some leftovers (lucky you!). How do you keep ’em fresh? Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about 2-3 days. Wanna warm ’em up? A few seconds in the microwave does the trick! Or, you can pop them in the toaster oven for a crispier crust – just watch ’em so they don’t burn!

Brown Sugar Pop Tarts FAQs

Got questions about making these awesome Brown Sugar Pop Tarts? I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common questions I get, so you can bake with confidence!

Can I Freeze Brown Sugar Pop Tarts?

Absolutely! These Brown Sugar Pop Tarts freeze like a dream. Just let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat one, just thaw it at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or pop it straight into the toaster oven!

How Long Do Brown Sugar Pop Tarts Last?

If you’re not freezing them, these homemade Brown Sugar Pop Tarts will stay fresh for about 2-3 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature. But let’s be real, they probably won’t last that long because they’re so delicious!

Why is My Dough Not Working for Brown Sugar Pop Tarts?

Dough trouble? Ugh, I’ve been there! If your dough is too dry, it probably needs more water. Add it a tablespoon at a time until the dough *just* comes together. If it’s too sticky, you might have added too much water, or the butter wasn’t cold enough. Try adding a little extra flour, and make sure you chill it well!

Brown Sugar Pop Tarts Nutritional Information

Okay, so you wanna know the damage, huh? Here’s a *very* rough estimate of the nutritional info per Brown Sugar Pop Tart. Keep in mind, it’s just an estimate, and it can vary depending on your ingredients! Around 350 calories, 15g fat, 4g protein, and 50g carbs.

Enjoyed These Brown Sugar Pop Tarts? Leave a Comment Below!

So, did you love these Brown Sugar Pop Tarts as much as I do? Let me know in the comments! Rate the recipe, and share your pics on social media – I wanna see your creations!