Oh, how I love a holiday that encourages folks to make and give food to one another. Perhaps this is my favourite thing about Valentine's Day. When I want to show someone that I love them I usually find myself in the kitchen - preparing some sort of delicious treat. These adorable Valentine's heart strawberry pop tarts are Valentine's Day baking perfection.
How cute are these little hand pies?! We filled our flaky pastry with strawberry jam, but feel free to substitute in your loved ones' favourite jam. The key is adding corn starch to the jam... which keeps the jam from leaking out the seams.
When I baked this batch of pop tarts the response from my entire family was unanimous - OMG! That's the exact reaction I was hoping for. Who will you bake these Valentine's Day treats for?
Valentine Heart-Shaped Pop Tarts
For the pastry
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup cold Crisco vegetable shortening, cut into ½" cubes
4-8 tablespoon ice water
For the strawberry filling
½ cup strawberry jam
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 egg
1 cup icing sugar
2-4 tablespoon water
red food colouring
Begin by making the pie crust. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Toss cold cubes of shortening into the flour. Use a pastry cutter to incorporate the shortening into the flour, until the shortening is small lumps (like small pebbles).
Next, add the icy water. Add the water 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. The dough shouldn't be sticky. Transfer the dough to a hard surface and shape it into a large ball. Divide the dough in half and wrap the two halves in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
Make the filling by stirring together the jam and the cornstarch. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water - this will be the egg wash.
Remove one ball of chilled dough from the fridge. Roll the dough, on a lightly floured surface, to ⅛" thickness. Use a large heart cookie cutter (mine is about 4" long) to cut out the bottom hearts for the pop tarts. Once cut out, place hearts on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Roll out the second ball of dough and cut out an equal number of hearts. Let them sit while you fill the tarts.
Use a pastry brush (or your fingers) to apply the egg wash to the edges of the bottom heart. Add about a teaspoon of jam to the centre of the heart. Spread it around, keeping it away from the edges of the tart.
Place another heart over top of the jam. Use your fingers to press the edges closed and secure the jam inside. Press the tines of a fork around the heart, further sealing the jam inside. Use the fork tines to poke a series of vent holes in the top of each tart. Use the pastry brush to lightly coat the tart.
Bake the tarts in a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes - until the tops are lightly golden. Cool on a rack.
Prepare the icing by stirring together the icing sugar and water. Add the water 1 tablespoon at a time, until the icing reaches your desired consistency. Add the red food colouring until it reaches a lovely pink colour...or leave the icing white.
Once the tarts have completely cooled, use a spoon or fork to drizzle the icing onto the strawberry poptarts. Sprinkle with Valentine candy sprinkles. Share with your friends and family.
Heart Shaped Strawberry Pop Tarts
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup cold Crisco vegetable shortening cut into ½" cubes
- 4-8 tablespoon ice water
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 egg
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 2-4 tablespoon water
- red food colouring
Instructions
- Begin by making the pie crust. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Toss cold cubes of shortening into the flour. Use a pastry cutter to incorporate the shortening into the flour, until the shortening is small lumps (like small pebbles).
- Next, add the icy water. Add the water 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. The dough shouldn’t be sticky. Transfer the dough to a hard surface and shape into a large ball. Divide the dough in half and wrap the two halves in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Make the filling by stirring together the jam and the cornstarch. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water – this will be the egg wash.
- Remove one ball of chilled dough from the fridge. Roll the dough, on a lightly floured surface, to ⅛″ thickness. Use a large heart cookie cutter (mine is about 4″ long) to cut out the bottom hearts for the pop tarts. Once cut out, place hearts on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Roll out the second ball of dough and cut out an equal number of hearts. Let them sit while you fill the tarts.
- Use a pastry brush (or your fingers) to apply the egg wash to the edges of the bottom heart. Add about a teaspoon of jam to the centre of the heart. Spread it around, keeping it away from the edges of the tart.
- Place another heart over top of the jam. Use your fingers to press the edges closed and secure the jam inside. Press the tines of a fork around the heart, further sealing the jam inside. Use the fork tines to poke a series of venting holes in the top of each tart. Use the pastry brush to lightly coat the tart.
- Bake the tarts in a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes – until the tops are lightly golden. Cool on a rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Today's recipe is part of the fantastic 25 Sweet Valentine's Day Ideas blog hop. Be sure to check out all the other gorgeous crafts, decor and recipes being shared. There really are some beautiful projects to be discovered.
Heart Shaped Pizzas for Valentine's Day by Jo-Anna of A Pretty Life
Ombre Cake Makeover from a Grocery Store Cake by Colleen of Lemon Thistle
"Warm Heart" Hand Warmers by Sarah of Flourish & Knot
Valentine's Day Embroidery Projects by Heather of Home to Heather
Valentine Heart Strawberry Pop Tarts by Jen of Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Valentine's Day Date Night In Gift Basket Idea by Christina of The DIY Mommy
Valentine's Day Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookies by Shauna of Satori Design for Living
Valentine’s Day Breakfast by Dannyelle of Life is a Party
Valentine's Mantel by Jen of Rambling Renovators
Embroidery Hoop Valentine Art by Christine of The DIY Dreamer
"You & Me" Wood Sign by Lindi of Love Create Celebrate
DIY String Heart Wall Hanging by Melissa of The Sweet Escape
Heart Shaped Marshmallows for Valentine's Day by Christine of Amidst the Chaos
Related Posts
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Bake your way through our collection of Valentine's Day Baking Ideas
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Heather says
These look amazing!
Jen says
Thanks!
Angela says
Hi Jen, how many cookies does this recipe yield? Want to make for my staff at work. So festive for Valentines Day.
Jen says
Depending on the size of your heart cookie. I made about a dozen pop tarts.
Andrea Hunter says
Wow these look amazing! Now I know how I can get my kids to love me on Valentine's Day 😉
Shauna says
Just the reaction you want from your family, right? These look and sound delicious!
Janella Panchamsingh says
My mouth is watering looking at these pop tarts
Jen says
Awesome!
Jo-Anna Rooney says
These are the cutest! I too like to show my love through food...these are perfect for Valentine's Day!
Jen says
Thanks! You can't beat home baked treats for Valentine's Day
Joann @ Woman in Real Life says
These are so pretty! It's funny, I was planning to make pop tarts this week, but I hadn't thought of doing the heart shapes. It really makes them so festive. Love it!
Jen says
Super festive and delicious!
Alex says
My kids would go crazy over these!!!
Jen says
My kids LOVED these! I've made two batches already.
Laurie @ Vin'yet Etc. says
Little did I know when I opened this post I'd have tears in my eyes?! My Mom used to use a hand pastry mixer just like the one pictured... oh boy. <3 And can I just say YUM the whole process has me wanting these pop tarts!
Jen says
Awe, I love my pastry cutter. It was my mom's. What a lovely memory.
Sarah says
Oh my goodness! My husband loves pop tarta so I have to make these for him. 🙂
Cynthia Zamaria says
These ALMOST too pretty to eat. Yummy!
Jen says
Nope...too pretty not to eat!
Dani@lifeovereasy says
Homemade pop tarts? I think I needed this in my life 😉
Lindsay @ The DIY Mommy says
These look so delicious and not to mention pretty! What a perfect little treat.
Christine says
Oh what I would do to eat some right now! Looks so good!
Dannyelle @ Life is a Party says
These look amazing! Love the heart shape, the pink icing, the sprinkles. So perfect for Valentine's Day!
Jen says
thanks so much
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
These are the sweetest idea, Jen!! Our kids love pop tarts and I cannot stand to buy the store ones!! I will have to try making these! Thanks for sharing!
Stacey Kemeys says
Oh Jennifer these are such a sweet idea! Love them
Jen says
Thanks so much Stacey
Sonja @SustainMyCraftHabit says
These look perfectly sweet and delicious. I've always wanted to make a jam filled treat and yours are just so pretty.