Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies (Print Version)
Jam-filled strawberry sugar cookies topped with vanilla glaze and colorful sprinkles.
# What You Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Filling
09 - 1/2 cup strawberry jam
→ Glaze and Decoration
10 - 1 cup powdered sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons milk
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Red or pink food coloring (optional)
14 - Rainbow sprinkles for decorating
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in the palm of your hand. Place 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry jam in the center, then cover with another tablespoon of dough. Pinch the edges together to seal completely and gently roll into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough and jam.
06 - Place the filled cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
07 - Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a drop of food coloring if desired, until smooth and slightly thickened. Spread the glaze over the cooled cookies and top with rainbow sprinkles. Let the glaze set before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These cookies taste like childhood Saturday mornings but feel fancy enough to bring to a bake sale or potluck.
- The jam center is a surprise that makes people close their eyes and grin when they bite into one.
- No rolling pin or cookie cutter required, just your hands and a couple of mixing bowls.
02 -
- Seal those cookie edges like your reputation depends on it, because jam will find any gap and leak onto your baking sheet.
- Do not rush the cooling step, warm cookies will melt the glaze into a cloudy puddle instead of setting into that iconic smooth finish.
03 -
- Chill the dough for 20 minutes before shaping if your kitchen is warm, it makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their round shape in the oven.
- Use a cookie scoop for perfectly uniform portions so every cookie bakes evenly and looks like it came from a professional bakery.