These Homemade Mini Pop Tarts (or Mini Lolli-Pop Tarts!) are a fun homemade twist on an old classic, and are sweet treats for Valentine's Day!
I ate horribly as a kid.
A child of the late 1970's, I was brought up in a household that was holding onto Filipino heritage but also excitedly soaking up American food trends of the time. It was a the tail end of the TV dinner phase and the early inklings of the "Low Fat" craze.
Processed food was king.
Pop Tarts were like these decadent, indulgent beacons of sugary, brightly colored goodness. I ate a lot of them.
Then I grew older and my brain and stomach grew wiser, and I can't remember the last time I purchased Pop Tarts.
But you know, every once in a while, it's okay to give in. Especially if you can make them at home and eliminate some of the icky chemicals and preservatives that come with the packaged variety!
Homemade Mini Pop Tarts: Step-By-Step
Homemade Mini Pop Tarts are simple enough to make, but they do take time. You could make larger pop tarts to save time, since a lot of the work comes in the cutting, filling, and perforating of the individual treats.
The full directions are below in the recipe card, and here's a look at the process of making homemade mini pop tarts. I'll include some tips at the bottom of the photo series.
Aren't these so adorable? I love how they turned out so much!
And, there's really no "perfect" looking pop tart - you just slowly spread or pour the royal icing onto each baked pop tart and it magically spreads out a bit over the edges and just looks cool. Without even trying.
Top with colored sprinkles or you could even just leave them with the sugar coating.
Mini Pop Tarts: Flavor ideas
I used a strawberry jelly but here are some other flavor combos you could try for your mini pop tarts:
- Blueberry
- Raspberry
- Marionberry/Blackberry
- Hazelnut Mocha: use Nutella filling with coffee-flavored royal icing
- Apple Cinnamon: use apple filling with a cinnamon sugar topping
Mini Pop Tarts: Full of Flavor and Fun
These Mini Pop Tarts – or, mini (lolli)-pop tarts – are SO much fun to serve at parties. I've served these at New Year's Eve/Day parties, at kid sleepovers and birthday parties, and these would be perfect sweet treats for Valentine's Day coming up!
Without the lollipop sticks, these mini pop tarts would be wonderful indulgent snacks to serve at a weekend brunch or tea.
Mini Pop Tarts
Ingredients
- 1 package pre-made pie crust or your own homemade pie crust, if you prefer
- Fruit jelly raspberry, strawberry, or marionberry/blackberry work well!
- 1 egg with 1 teaspoon water lightly beaten together
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water + more as needed
- food coloring
- colored baking sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a sheet of parchment paper over two baking pans.
- Thaw pie crust according to package directions.
- Roll out and cut into even strips, then cut into evenly-sized rectangles. *note: to get the scalloped edges, I used a pastry roller cutter with a scalloped edge
- Place half of the rectangles onto baking sheets covered with parchment paper.
- Place one lollipop stick on top of each rectangle, toward the bottom center.
- Top each rectangle with a small teaspoonful of jelly. Just put enough jelly to cover the middle, leaving room around the sides; you want a little bit to ooze out of the sides, but you don't want a big globby mess when they are done baking!
- Place another rectangle on top of each jellied rectangle, then gently press all sides down to seal. Use the tines of a fork to help secure the pieces together and also create a pattern around the edges.
- Brush each rectangle lightly with egg wash.
- Using the tips of the fork tines, gently poke a few holes at the top of each pop tart.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, just until the tops are lightly brown. Allow to cool at room temperature.
Make the icing
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and water until blended into a smooth icing consistency. If needed, slowly add more water, ½ teaspoon at a time, until you get your desired consistency.
- Slowly add your choice of food coloring. I used a light purple Wilton icing coloring and it only took enough coloring to cover the bottom of a toothpick to achieve the color you see here, so start with just one drop and then add more as needed to get your desired icing color.
- Spread icing over each mini pop tart.
- Sprinkle immediately with colored baking sprinkles.
- Let set for about 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
More Homemade Classic Kids' Foods
RECIPE: Homemade Cheez-It Crackers
Homemade 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups
Have you ever made a homemade version of your fave childhood treats?
Amanda Love says
Seriously! How cute are these pop tarts! They're everything that you want in a dessert table especially if it;s a kiddie party! I love that they're not that difficult to make either. I'd totally do this with my kids!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Amanda!
Angela says
I have eaten horribly on my teens. While I was growing up my Mama prepared homemade dishes as well as healthy snacks. I love pretty much everything except for the bananas and oatmeal. I wished I have keep up with all the ways I grew up with. Now I still eat bad. I love this post and will try it for myself too.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
ahh it can be tricky to break the unhealthy food habits, I totally get it. Once in a while though, a treat like this is a-okay! :) Thanks, Angela!
Keren Charles says
These mini pop-tarts look so yummy and cute too. I love homemade goodies! Can't wait to try this recipe.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Keren!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Karen!
Irina says
Wow these look so pretty and yummy. I can't wait to try these. How easy and wonderful are these.
Kecia says
I grew up on Pop Tarts. These look like a great treat for a weekend breakfast - or maybe a sleepover!
Nikki Arnold says
These are the cutest thing!! I have never seen these before, but they are way more awesome than cake pops.
Dawn McAlexander says
I love these! Of course, I love Pop Tarts too, so any of them that I made would get eat before I could hand them out.