I created these heart-shaped pop tarts after my 8-year-old begged me to make “fancy breakfast” for Valentine’s Day morning. After testing this recipe six times (and eating way too many pop tarts in the process), I finally nailed the perfect balance of flaky crust and gooey filling that doesn’t leak everywhere. Trust me, if you’ve ever tried making homemade pop tarts before and ended up with a jammy mess in your oven, this version will change everything. My kids now request these for every special occasion, and honestly, they’re so much better than anything from a box.
If you’re looking for more special breakfast treats, you’ll love my almond flour biscuits – they’re perfect for lazy weekend mornings when you want something that feels fancy but isn’t complicated.
Key Takeaways
- Create delicious heart shaped pop tarts with a flaky crust and gooey filling that won’t leak.
- Use reliable pie crust and fresh jam for better taste; preheat oven to 425°F for optimal baking.
- Follow detailed steps for rolling, cutting, sealing, and baking for perfect results every time.
- Customize with different fillings like Nutella or apple butter for a fun twist on the classic recipe.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months without icing.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Table of contents
Easy Heart-Shaped Pop Tarts That Kids Actually Love
Homemade heart-shaped pop tarts with flaky crust and sweet jam filling that won't leak in the oven.
Ingredients
- 2 packages refrigerated pie crust
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons flour for dusting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring (optional)
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Let pie crusts sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Unroll crusts on floured surface and cut heart shapes with cookie cutter.
- Place 1 teaspoon jam in center of half the hearts, keeping filling away from edges.
- Top with remaining hearts and seal edges firmly with fork tines.
- Poke 3 small holes in top of each pop tart.
- Brush tops with beaten egg and bake 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Cool completely before icing.
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and food coloring for icing.
- Drizzle icing over cooled pop tarts and add sprinkles immediately.
Notes
- Keep filling to exactly 1 teaspoon to prevent leaking
- Can be assembled the night before and baked fresh in morning
- Freeze without icing for up to 3 months
- Try Nutella, apple butter, or cream cheese fillings for variety
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 132mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 3g
Nutrition info is an estimate based on typical ingredients and portions - I calculate these to give you a helpful starting point! For specific dietary needs or accurate counts, I recommend double-checking with your favorite nutrition app or talking to a health professional. You can read more about my approach to nutrition info at notetherecipe.com/disclaimer
What You’ll Need
I’ve learned the hard way that having everything ready before you start makes this so much easier, especially if you’re baking with kids. Plus, Harvard Health research shows that homemade treats are much healthier than the ultra-processed store versions.
- 2 packages refrigerated pie crust (I use Pillsbury – it’s reliable and saves time)
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam (or any jam you love)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons flour for dusting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring (optional)
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 3 inches works best)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Time needed: 45 minutes
Easy homemade heart-shaped pop tarts that are kid-tested and family approved.
- Prep your workspace
Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Let pie crusts sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Roll and cut hearts
Unroll pie crusts on floured surface. Cut out heart shapes using cookie cutter. You’ll need an even number for tops and bottoms.
- Add filling carefully
Place 1 teaspoon jam in center of half the hearts. Keep filling away from edges – this prevents leaking.
- Seal edges firmly
Top with remaining hearts. Press edges with fork tines all around. Poke 3 small holes in top for steam vents.
- Brush and bake
Brush tops with beaten egg. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before icing.
- Make icing and decorate
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and food coloring. Drizzle over cooled pop tarts and add sprinkles.
Tips & Tricks
- Always brush with egg wash right before baking – the FDA recommends cooking all egg dishes to 160°F for safety, and that egg wash helps you get that perfect golden color while staying safe.
- Don’t overfill them – I learned this after my first batch leaked jam everywhere in the oven at 350°F.
- Make sure your shortcrust pastry isn’t too warm or it gets sticky and hard to work with.
- That 15-20 minute baking time at 350°F is perfect – any hotter and the edges burn before the filling heats through.
- If you don’t have a heart cookie cutter, trace around a paper heart template with a knife.
- These freeze beautifully without icing – just pop them in a freezer bag and ice them after reheating.
- My kids love helping with the sprinkles, but do it fast before the icing sets!
- Want more fun breakfast ideas? Try my keto chocolate pancakes – my kids think they’re getting dessert for breakfast, but they’re actually pretty healthy!
You Might Also Like
If you loved these heart-shaped pop tarts, here are a few more treats my family can’t get enough of:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Assemble them completely but don’t bake. Cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. Add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time.
Make a paper heart template and trace around it with a knife. You can also use any similar-sized round cutter – the shape is just for fun!
Too much filling or not sealing the edges well enough. Use only 1 teaspoon of jam and press firmly with fork tines all around the edges.
Absolutely! Nutella, apple butter, or even cream cheese with cinnamon work great. Just keep it to 1 teaspoon whatever you use.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Try Nutella with a pinch of sea salt for a fancy chocolate version my kids go wild for.
- Use apple butter and a dash of cinnamon for fall flavors that smell incredible baking.
- Mix cream cheese with a little powdered sugar and lemon zest for a cheesecake-style filling.
- For adults, add a tiny bit of bourbon to berry jam – trust me on this one.
- Make mini versions using a smaller cutter for perfect kid-sized snacks.
- For a fruity twist that’s totally different, check out my lychee-strawberry cookies – they’re sweet, chewy, and have this amazing tropical flavor that surprises everyone.
Dietary Notes
| Diet | Friendly? | Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | No | Use gluten-free pie crust – I like the Wholly Wholesome brand |
| Dairy-Free | Mostly | Check your pie crust ingredients; use plant milk in icing |
| Vegan | No | Use vegan pie crust and skip the egg wash, or brush with plant milk |
| Keto | No | Too many carbs from the pastry and icing |
| Nut-Free | Yes | Just avoid nut-based fillings like almond butter |
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store iced pop tarts covered for up to 4 days – the icing might get a little soft, but they’re still delicious and much healthier than store-bought versions that Harvard Health research links to various health concerns.
- Freezer: Freeze baked pop tarts without icing for up to 3 months. Wrap individually in plastic wrap first.
- Thawing: Let frozen pop tarts thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before icing.
- Reheat: Warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if you want them slightly warm – skip this if they’re already iced.
- Living in New Orleans has taught me that humid weather makes icing set slower, so give them extra time to firm up.
Save This Recipe for Later
These heart-shaped pop tarts have become such a hit in our house that I make them for every special occasion now. Save this recipe for your next celebration – your family will thank you!
