The current crazy cold weather and snow reminds me of days gone by. Nothing brings back childhood memories like a good snowfall. Visions of sledding down my neighbors hill in Southwestern Pennsylvania on an old wooden toboggan, building the tallest snowman imaginable adorned with our own scarf and mittens, and having homemade cocoa made with hershey’s syrup from a can are some of my fondest winter memories…along with hoping that school would be cancelled the next day!
Childhood foods also bring back those memories. In those days we had mostly homemade goodies. It is funny to think that we would get excited about store-bought snacks and foods. As adults it is fun to reminisce about getting a special treat. I remember “Scooter Pies” ( Pittsburgh’s name for “Moon Pies”), Ho Ho’s, and of course a breakfast favorite “Pop Tarts” Yes, I know, Pop Tarts are still available today, but when they first came on the market they were a special treat.
As I was cruising the internet for new recipes, I ran across one for “Homemade Pop Tarts”. It was hard not to print off the recipe and try them, hoping they would be yummy enough to make for my guests and bring back some childhood memories for them as well. Guess what?? They were absolutely a hit and easy to make too. This is a perfect cooking project to do with your children or grandchildren and I am thrilled to share it with you:
Homemade Pop Tarts
Gather together the ingredients:
1 box refrigerator pie crust ( 2 layers ) If you like to make homemade..go for it!
1 small jar strawberry preserves ( or whatever variety you like )
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk ( or more to desired consistency for glaze)
Sprinkle ( or jimmies if your from SW Pennsylvania)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Unroll one of the pie crust and square the edges. ( mine weren’t too square 🙂 )
Cut into rectangles.
Place 1 teaspoon of jam in the center of the rectangle and top with another piece of crust. I used an Amish made strawberry jam I purchased here in Grand Rapids at Mary’s Apple Orchard. You can purchase some when you stay at The Mill House.
Crimp around all four edges using a fork. Repeat until all of the pie crust is used.
If you don’t want to add the extra sugar that a glaze contains, you can brush on an egg wash and sprinkle a little granulated sugar on top. Bake for about 7-8 minutes or until lightly browned.
Oops!! A little jam escaped….. While the Pop Tarts are cooling, prepare glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and milk.
Spread the glaze over the Pop Tarts.
“Sprinkle” with “Jimmies”
Don’t they look good?? Even better than store bought and healthier too! My Pittsburgh brother would be happy I called the sprinkles Jimmies. Anyway, the first time I served them to my guests as part of their breakfast there were big smiles all around. Sometimes its the simple things that bring the most joy!
P.S. Don’t heat them up in a regular toaster…Heat them in the microwave or flat in a toaster oven. Then make yourself a hot coca in your Keurig and cuddle up under a soft warm comfy blanket and enjoy your Pop Tart! Let it snow..Let it snow…Let it snow!
