Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Valentine's Day Pop Tarts



V-day Pop Tarts
Valentine's Day Pop Tarts are the perfect little treat for the special love (or loves, kiddos luv 'em) of your life! They do take a little time to make, but so worth it; you will never ever eat one of those cardboard tasting boxed pop tarts again! Can be made day before, just keep them in a covered container. Can be eaten at room temp, or pop in microwave just a few seconds (15-20 secs. is all); if you have one of those toaster ovens, even more perfect for heating up.
Valentine's Day Pop Tarts
Filling Ingred.
3/4 c. strawberry or raspberry jam                                                  1 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. cornstarch                                                                          1-2 tsp. maraschino cherry juice

Go ahead & make filling, so it can cool while making the pop tart pastry.
With a fork, whisk cornstarch with water, till no lumps! In a small saucepan, put in your jam & stir in cornstarchy water, blend. Stir in cherry juice (I added the cherry juice, cuz I feel it brings out the fillings red brightness). Bring to a boil, keep stirring, so it doesn't stick. Simmer about 2 minutes. Remove it from heat & set aside.
                                           
Pastry Ingred.
2 1/3 c. flour                                                                                    1 stick butter, softened (not margarine)
2 Tbsp. sugar                                                                                   1/3 c. shortening
1 tsp. salt                                                                                         2 eggs (1 for pastry & 1 for basting)
1 tsp. baking powder                                                                        2 Tbsp. milk
Pink Icing Ingred.
1 c. powdered sugar
2-3 tsp. maraschino cherry juice
1-2 tsp. milk

Lets make pastry:
In a small bowl, whisk together one of the eggs & milk; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk with a fork the flour, sugar, salt & b. pwder together. With your fork, cut in the butter & shortening till big crumbs form. Add the milky egg mixture, blend with your fork till a soft dough forms. Cover & put in fridge 15 min.
Preheat oven to 350.

Beat slightly other egg; set to side.
Ready to roll out! Dough is very soft, so it rolls out better on a piece of lightly floured wax paper. Make one pop tart at a time. Pinch off part of your dough, roll about 1/8 in thick. Take your heart cookie cutter (pic above is the candy box cutter). Lay to the side on another piece of wax paper. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of your jam filling right in the middle. Baste lightly around the edge with egg. Cut out another heart for top. Lay heart to heart with filling in middle. Press with your fingers all around edges to seal. Press all around the edges with the tines of a fork.Prick with a fork the top of your heart tart, to let steam escape. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake about 25 min, till lightly browned. Remove from oven, place on a platter to cool Cool completely before icing. Makes 5 - 5 in. heart pop tarts.

In a bowl stir together all icing ingredients. Icing should be thin, but not watery. One thing bout this icing, if it's too watery, add more p. sugar. Too thick add a little more liquid. Drizzle or completely frost your pop tarts, however you want to do it. Add some sprinkles if you want or even pink or red colored sugar.



*One of the pop tarts I took a small cookie and barely cut into the top of the heart, instead of picking it.

You can really taste the buttery flavor of the pastry, and the yummy fruit filling; just a Valentine's Day Delight!!

This chick is loving the Valentine's Day Pop Tarts!

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