Strawberry Pop Tart Sugar Cookies Recipe
Delight in these Strawberry Pop Tart Sugar Cookies, featuring a soft sugar cookie base filled with sweet strawberry jam and adorned with festive sprinkles. Perfectly tender and lightly golden, these cookies combine the nostalgic flavor of pop tarts with the homemade charm of sugar cookies, making them a fun treat for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- ¾ cup strawberry jam or preserves
Decoration
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
- Optional: Icing made from powdered sugar and milk (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and, if using, the almond extract to enhance the flavor profile.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to form the cookie dough.
- Shape the Dough: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Flatten each ball into a 2-inch disc, then create a small well or indentation at the center of each disc.
- Add Jam Filling: Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam into the well of half the cookie discs to provide a sweet, fruity center.
- Seal Cookies: Place another cookie disc on top of each jam-filled disc. Seal the edges by pressing and crimping them with a fork to enclose the filling securely.
- Bake: Arrange the filled cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Decoration: For an extra touch, drizzle the cooled cookies with icing made from powdered sugar mixed with a little milk, then decorate with sprinkles to add color and festive flair.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a better texture.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- The almond extract is optional but adds a lovely depth of flavor complementing the strawberry jam.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Cooling on the baking sheet before moving to a wire rack helps the cookies set and prevents breaking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: strawberry pop tart cookies, sugar cookies, jam-filled cookies, homemade cookies, dessert, strawberry cookies
