Apple pop tarts

These apple pop tarts are cute, tasty and delicious! They feature a flaky buttery crust, a sweet/savory apple pie filling, and a yummy frosting. Assemble these apple hand pies in just 15 minutes, then bake and frost.

📌 PIN APPLE PIE POP TARTS

Apple pop tarts are not just for breakfast! They’re also convenient desserts for any occasion. Easy to transport, these apple hand pies are ideal for team snack day at the field, along with a box of raisins or a banana.

Tuck them in backpacks for after-school snacks. Take them to the ball park, picnics, family events, and church potlucks.

These make-ahead treats can be baked and frozen (unglazed) for later. With this in mind, make a double batch. When ready to enjoy, rewarm from frozen in a toaster oven or conventional oven. Glaze as desired.

👩🏻‍🍳 WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

• Simple Tart Crust: You can use store-bought refrigerated pie crusts for these apple hand pies, or make this simple homemade pie crust.
• Simple Fruit Filling: Make a basic stovetop apple pie filling in just 15 minutes. Or buy a can of fruit filling at the market.
• Easy to Shape the Dough: Use a round 3 1/4-inch biscuit cutter. From 2 Pillsbury pie crusts, you can make 16 circles without re-rolling the dough. When cutting the circles, just make sure all lines are touching.
• Quick to Assemble: Just roll the dough, cut the shapes, fill and bake.
• Better Than Boxed: Homemade apple pop tarts are fresh and delicious like those from a bakery, with zero additives and no preservatives. Say good-bye to shelf-stable toaster pastries that come in a box.
• Travel-Ready Treats: These apple hand pies are perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, and on-the-go enjoyment.

🛒 INGREDIENTS

Tart Crust

Use 1 box (of 2) refrigerated pie crusts. Or make the tart crust at home with these pantry staples and double this easy recipe 👉🏻 homemade pie crust.

• All-purpose Flour: Provides strength and structure for the crust.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the recipe.
• Kosher Salt: Balances flavors, and prevents crusts from tasting bland.
• Butter: Adds delicious buttery richness and yields a flaky crust.
• Shortening: In the dough it’s pliable and easy to work with when forming and shaping pop tarts. Because it has a higher melting point than butter, the tart crusts will stay tender and maintain their shape.
• Ice-cold Water: Helps keep the butter and shortening cold for a light flaky tart crust with defined layers of flakes.

🍏 Fruit Filling

Use 1 store-bought can of apple pie fruit filling. Or make it at home with these simple ingredients and this no-hassle recipe 👉🏻 apple pie filling.

• Butter: Adds rich delicious flavor for the apple pop tart filling.
• Lemon Juice: The citric acid balances flavors.
• Water: Adds enough moisture to get the cooking process started on stovetop before the apples begin to release their juices.
• Granulated Sugar or Brown Sugar: Adds adds enough sweetness to offset the tartness of the apples.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the filling.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds an earthy fall flavor and autumn aroma.
• Kosher Salt: This seasoning balances the flavors of the other ingredients. Add more or less to taste.
• Fresh Apples: For the best taste use Golden Delicious. Or use Granny Smith (they’re firm and bake well, but have a bland taste) in combination with a sweeter variety of apples.

Glaze

• Powdered Sugar: Is the base of the delicious glaze. It’s the same as “confectioner’s sugar.” If your sugar is lumpy, sift before using.
• Whole Milk: Adds richness and moisture while bringing the frosting to the ideal thickness.
• Maple Syrup: Adds a delicious fall taste that enriches the overall flavor of the apple pop tarts.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Contributes a bakery taste and aroma.

FOR SPRINKLING: A mix of turbinado sugar and white sparkling sugar. It provides texture, sparkle, and a touch of extra sweetness.

📖 RECIPE STEPS

RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to  375ºF. Line 1 baking tray with parchment paper or a reusable silicone baking mat and set it aside.

• STEP 1: Unroll 1 refrigerated pie crust on a lightly-floured surface. (If using a homemade crust, roll to 1/8-inch thick). With a round (3 1/4-inch) biscuit cutter, cut out 8 circles. To get the most out of the dough, and eliminate the need to gather any dough scraps together and re-roll, make sure all lines are touching. Place circles on the prepared tray.
• STEP 2: Place 1 1/2 tablespoons apple pie filling in the middle of each circle, leaving a border around the edges.
• STEP 3: Unroll the second crust and cut out 8 circles. Place them on top of the filled circles. Pinch the edges to seal in the fruit filling.
• STEP 4: Poke the top of each apple pop tart with a fork to create a vent, then crimp the edges with a fork. In a ramekin, beat egg with a splash of water. Brush egg wash over the top of the apple hand pies.

• STEP 5: Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool.
• STEP 6: Make the apple pop tart glaze. Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
• STEP 7: Spoon or drizzle the glaze over the cooled (or slightly-warm) pop tarts. If desired, sprinkle the frosting with a mix of turbinado sugar and sparkling white sugar.
• STEP 8: Enjoy with a glass of milk, coffee, or apple cider.

🤔 RECIPE FAQ

These are the most commonly-asked questions for making the BEST apple pop tarts, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.

MORE HOMEMADE POP TARTS

If you love making and eating apple hand pies, then you’ll really love these homemade pop tart recipes. Each is quick and simple to make. They’re so much better than store-bought toaster pastries.

• Blueberry Pop Tarts
• Chocolate Pop Tarts
• Lemon Pop Tarts
• Strawberry Pop Tarts
• Pumpkin Pop Tarts

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