I don't think my mom has ever bought a box of Pop Tarts in her life. The only time I was able to get my hands on one of these babies, was at my friends Stacy's house. I thought her mom was the bomb! Her pantry was a young (sugar deprived) girls fantasy! We're talking endless amounts of Oreos, Cookie Crisp cereal, and Doritos! I swore I was going to grow up and buy anything my kids wanted, just like Cathy! Well, little did I know I would turn out to be just like my mom, sort of. My kids get their favorite "sugar cereal" wrapped up on their birthday, and Oreos are bought just a few times a year. So, to make sure my kids don't feel as deprived as I felt, I made these the other night for Home Evening and got rave reviews! I think a better name for them would be "Hand Pies" but I don't think that sounds as exciting!
Homemade Pop Tarts
*Pie crust--homemade (use your favorite pie crust recipe or store bought)
*Favorite jam--I used blueberry
*Glaze
*Sprinkles
Homemade Pastry
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tb sugar
1/2 cup cold shortening
1/2 cup cold butter--cut into pieces
1 medium egg
3 or more Tb ice cold water
In a large bowl combine flour, salt and sugar. Add butter and shortening and blend with a pastry cutter until mixture is coarse and crumbly. Add egg, stirring with a fork, then add water 1 tablespoon at a time of water, until dough holds together. Form into ball. Roll out onto floured counter, to about 1/8 in. thick rectangle. Cut into small rectangles.
On half of the small cut out rectangles, spread a thin layer of jam keeping away from edges. The amount really depends on the size you cut out of the pastry dough. Top with another rectangle and crimp edges with a fork. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 9 minutes.
Let cool on rack.
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tb corn syrup
2 Tb water
a drop of food coloring
Whisk in small bowl until thick but spreadable--add more p. sugar or water to get the right consistency. Spread onto cooled pastries. Top with sprinkles.
