Description
These Gluten Free Strawberry Pop Tarts are a nostalgic treat reimagined for a gluten-free diet. Featuring a flaky, buttery pastry crust that rivals any traditional pie dough, they are filled with sweet strawberry preserves and finished with a classic vanilla glaze and sprinkles. Better than the boxed version, they are the perfect fun breakfast or afternoon dessert.
Ingredients
— The Pastry —
2 1/2 cups gluten free 1-to-1 flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 large egg, cold
1/2 cup ice water (approx., add gradually)
— The Filling —
3/4 cup strawberry jam or preserves
1 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken the jam)
— Egg Wash —
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
— The Glaze —
1 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sprinkles (optional, ensure gluten-free)
Instructions
1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a food processor or large bowl, pulse/whisk together the gluten free flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter. Pulse or use a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the cold egg and the ice water. Slowly drizzle this into the flour mixture while pulsing (or stirring) until the dough just starts to come together. Do not overmix.
4. Chill Dough: Turn the dough out onto plastic wrap, form it into a disc, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
5. Prep & Preheat: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix the strawberry jam with the cornstarch (this prevents the filling from leaking).
6. Roll Out: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough out into a large rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into rectangles (approx. 3×4 inches). You should get about 14-16 rectangles (making 7-8 pop tarts). Re-roll scraps if necessary.
7. Fill: Place half of the rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Place a generous tablespoon of the jam mixture in the center of each, leaving a clear border around the edges.
8. Assemble: Brush the edges of the filled rectangles with a little water. Place a second rectangle of dough on top. Use a fork to crimp the edges tightly to seal.
9. Bake: Whisk the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Brush the tops of the pop tarts. Use a toothpick or fork to poke a few holes in the top for steam to escape. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Cool & Glaze: Let the pop tarts cool completely on the pan. While cooling, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Spoon the glaze over the cooled pop tarts and top with sprinkles. Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
Butter Temperature: It is crucial that the butter is very cold. This creates the flaky layers in the pastry.
Jam Consistency: Do not skip the cornstarch in the jam; without it, the filling will become too runny in the oven and leak out of the crust.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or freeze (unglazed) for up to a month. To reheat, pop them in a toaster or toaster oven on a low setting.
- Prep Time: 40
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pop tart
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 310
- Fat: 21
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 85
