These Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic childhood treat, capturing all the charm and flavor in a buttery, soft cookie form. Filled with luscious strawberry jam, they bring a burst of fruity sweetness in every bite, complemented by a smooth icing and cheerful sprinkles that make them as fun to look at as they are to eat. Perfect for parties, bake sales, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these cookies are both nostalgic and modern. They combine the comfort of home baking with the playful essence of a Pop-Tart, making them an irresistible addition to any dessert table. Whether you serve them with a glass of cold milk or alongside a cup of tea, they’re guaranteed to spark joy.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 cup strawberry jam or preserves
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1 cup powdered sugar
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2–3 tablespoons milk
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
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Pink or red food coloring (optional)
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Sprinkles, for decoration
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
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Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms.
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Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
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Use a round or square cookie cutter to cut out shapes; place half the cookies on the prepared sheets.
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Spoon a small amount of strawberry jam into the center of each cookie, then top with a second cookie and gently press edges to seal.
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Use a fork to crimp the edges for a Pop-Tart–like look.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. Let cool completely.
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For the icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using) until smooth.
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Spread icing over cooled cookies and top with sprinkles. Let icing set before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 32 minutes
Kcal: 220 kcal | Servings: 16 cookies
The Sweet Story Behind Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookies
Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of childhood nostalgia and homemade baking joy. Inspired by the beloved breakfast pastry that has been a staple in many households for decades, this cookie recipe captures the fruity, frosted flavor of strawberry Pop-Tarts while adding the soft, buttery charm of a classic sugar cookie. These cookies take a familiar favorite and transform it into something new, indulgent, and utterly delightful. For many, the idea of combining Pop-Tarts with cookies sparks fond memories of busy mornings, lunchbox surprises, or after-school treats. This recipe allows you to relive those moments in a fresh way, elevating a snack-time favorite into a dessert worthy of any occasion.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
There are plenty of cookie recipes out there, but the Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookies truly shine because of their unique flavor combination and visual appeal. The chopped strawberry Pop-Tarts bring pockets of sweet fruitiness and a touch of crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft, buttery texture of the sugar cookie base. The cookies are then drizzled with a pastel pink glaze and finished with sprinkles, making them as attractive as they are delicious. This combination makes them a hit for birthdays, holiday cookie swaps, or even just as a cheerful pick-me-up. The use of Pop-Tarts also means that the flavor is instantly recognizable and loved by both kids and adults.
The Perfect Texture Balance
The hallmark of any great cookie is its texture, and this recipe gets it just right. The sugar cookie base is soft and chewy, offering a melt-in-your-mouth bite that doesn’t crumble apart too easily. The bits of strawberry Pop-Tart scattered throughout give occasional bursts of flavor and texture—slightly chewy from the jam filling, slightly crisp from the pastry layers. When you add the smooth glaze on top, you get a light sweetness that perfectly ties everything together without overpowering the cookie. It’s a balance of soft, chewy, and slightly crisp in every bite.
Easy to Make for Any Skill Level
One of the best things about Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookies is that they’re beginner-friendly. You don’t need professional baking skills or special equipment—just a mixing bowl, a baking sheet, and a love for sweet treats. The steps are straightforward: mix the dough, fold in the chopped Pop-Tarts, scoop, bake, and glaze. The hardest part might be waiting for them to cool before adding the glaze! Because the recipe uses simple pantry staples, you can whip up a batch anytime the craving strikes.
A Fun Baking Project for Families
This recipe isn’t just about the final product—it’s also a fun and interactive baking activity. Kids especially love the step where they can mix in the Pop-Tarts or decorate the cookies with glaze and sprinkles. Baking these cookies together can be a memorable weekend activity or a way to get little ones involved in the kitchen. Decorating them can even turn into a creative art project—swirling glaze colors, experimenting with sprinkle patterns, or even using themed decorations for holidays.
Customizing the Flavor
While strawberry Pop-Tarts are a classic choice, this recipe leaves room for creativity. You can easily swap in other Pop-Tart flavors to suit your preference. Try blueberry for a berry twist, brown sugar cinnamon for a cozy, spiced variation, or cookies & cream for a rich, chocolatey touch. You can also play with the glaze color—pastel pink for a spring celebration, bright red for Valentine’s Day, or green and red sprinkles for a festive Christmas batch. These small changes allow you to adapt the recipe to match different themes and occasions.
Perfect for Celebrations and Gifting
Because of their bright, playful appearance and universally loved flavor, Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookies are ideal for parties, bake sales, or as edible gifts. Pack them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, and they instantly become an eye-catching treat to give to friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Their whimsical look also makes them a hit at kids’ birthday parties, school events, or baby showers. And because they hold their shape well, they’re easy to transport without worrying about them falling apart.
Tips for Baking Success
If you want to make the best batch possible, here are a few tips:
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Don’t overmix the dough. Once you add the flour, mix until just combined to keep the cookies tender.
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Chop the Pop-Tarts into small pieces. This ensures that they distribute evenly throughout the dough and you get strawberry goodness in every bite.
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Use room-temperature butter. This helps achieve the perfect creamed texture with sugar, resulting in soft cookies.
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Watch the baking time. These cookies should be taken out when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft—they’ll firm up as they cool.
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Cool completely before glazing. Otherwise, the glaze will melt right off.
Nutritional Perspective
While these cookies are an indulgent treat, they also bring a small sense of portion control. Each cookie is around 210 calories, making it a satisfying sweet without going overboard. The strawberry filling adds a burst of fruity flavor, while the buttery base delivers that rich, comforting taste that makes cookies so beloved. If you want to lighten them up, you could experiment with using less sugar in the dough or opting for a thinner glaze.
The Nostalgia Factor
Part of what makes these cookies so special is their connection to a shared cultural memory. Pop-Tarts have been around since the 1960s, and for many, they’re tied to moments of comfort and joy—quick breakfasts before school, after-sports snacks, or late-night treats. By incorporating them into cookies, you’re not just making dessert; you’re creating a bridge between the past and the present, turning a familiar flavor into a new experience.
Why They’re Irresistible
There’s something irresistible about a cookie that offers both familiarity and novelty. The Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookie gives you the classic sweetness and texture of a sugar cookie while surprising you with bursts of fruity jam and flaky pastry. The playful pink glaze makes them visually stunning, which is perfect for social media-worthy baking moments. Whether you’re a fan of Pop-Tarts, sugar cookies, or both, this recipe delivers in every way possible.
Serving Ideas
These cookies are delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with other treats for a dessert spread. Serve them alongside a cup of tea, coffee, or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate comfort snack. For a dessert platter, mix them with chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and lemon bars for a variety of flavors and colors. They also make a fun topping for ice cream—simply crumble a cookie over vanilla ice cream for a playful sundae.
Storing and Freezing
If you want to keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. The glaze will stay set and the cookies will remain soft. For longer storage, you can freeze the unglazed cookies for up to two months. Simply thaw them at room temperature, add the glaze, and enjoy them as if they were freshly baked. This makes them perfect for preparing ahead of events or holidays.
The Best of Both Worlds
The Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookie is the ultimate mash-up dessert—it takes the best elements of two favorites and combines them into something even better. You get the buttery richness and soft bite of a sugar cookie with the fruity sweetness and flaky texture of a Pop-Tart, all wrapped up in a colorful, whimsical package. It’s the kind of treat that makes you smile before you even take a bite.
Conclusion
Strawberry Pop-Tart Sugar Cookies are more than just a fun baking project—they’re a celebration of flavor, nostalgia, and creativity. They’re simple enough to make on a weekday but special enough to share for holidays and gatherings. With their soft texture, sweet strawberry bursts, and cheerful glaze, they’re sure to become a repeat favorite in your home. Whether you make them for the kids, for a party, or just to treat yourself, these cookies offer a joyful, flavorful experience from start to finish.
