Homemade Pop Tarts
I have to say I didn't grow up eating pop tarts. 1) I'm not a Gilmore Girl (sadly) 2) I'm not American and 3) Mum probably wouldn't of really let us have such a sugary breakfast unless it was a treat. Hubby loves them and I never really saw the appeal. I tried the real deal, foil covered, illicit breakfast treats and was really underwhelmed. The filling was stingy, they tasted of nothing in particular except sugar. Yes I did enjoy feeling like I was in an American movie or film but that was it. I did however think that maybe I could try making them myself and see if that helped and it did! You can go to down on your fillings, flavour combinations and decorations. They're super easy to make and so cute. You will need:
- Two sheets of shortcrust pastry
- An egg
- Jam
- Cornflour
- Icing sugar
- Food colouring
- Raspberries (optional)
- Freeze dried raspberries (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
The ones you see pictured above, I made for a little Valentines Day treat but you can make them for any occasion or none at all.
Ok so mix any jam you like, I used raspberry but you can use strawberry, cherry, apricot, etc, really anything you like, with some cornflour. Two or three tablespoons of jam with a heaped teaspoon of cornflour should do it. You just want enough cornflour so the jam isn't as loose. Set aside. Lay your two sheets of shortcrust pastry on top of each other, with a little flour in between to stop from sticking. Cut into 8 large rectangles or you can make smaller ones or heart ones or round ones etc. Then take one rectangle of shortcrust pastry, brush the edge with eggwash, put some jam in (not too much) and lay another rectangle on top, crimping the edges with a fork. Then place on a baking tray lined with baking paper and into an oven at about 180 / 200 degrees. Keeping an eye on them. I don't then brush them with eggwash as I find they brown sufficiently without plus you don't want them too brown. When they have all cooked leave them aside to cool and then make your icing sugar topping. Just mix some icing sugar with some food colouring (if using) and some water.. You want it pretty thick as you don't want it to run off the sides. Then pour the icing sugar mix on the pop tart, trying to avoid the side. Top with anything you like. Raspberries, freeze dried raspberries, love hearts or sprinkles. The possibilities are kind of endless.....