PUMPKIN POP TARTS
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These pumpkin pop tarts are bakery-inspired toaster pastries with a flaky crust and pumpkin pie filling. Their shape and flavor captures the essence of the fall season. Like pumpkin hand pies, enjoy them frosted or unfrosted!
Popular morning treats, these mini desserts are also travel-ready snacks for busy families. Pack them in lunch bags and backpacks. Along with a piece of fruit, they make great after-school snacks before sports and activities.
With this easy recipe for homemade pumpkin pie pop tarts, you can break ties with the store-bought version. These oven-fresh desserts are 100% better than those with preservatives sitting on shelves at the market.
The taste and aroma of homemade breakfast pastries have a special way of bringing happiness, like a hug from Grandma. Enjoy these legendary treats with maple whipped coffee or a mug of pumpkin spice hot chocolate.
INGREDIENTS
This simple recipe comes together with just a few pantry basics.
- Canned pumpkin puree
- Light brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Refrigerated pie dough
- Large egg
- White sparkling sugar (coarse sugar crystals)
EASY INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS
Missing an ingredient for these pumpkin pop tarts? Don’t put on your shoes and head to the market. Instead, head to your fridge and pantry. Check for these easy ingredient swaps.
It’s convenient and money-saving to use ingredients you already have on hand!
- REFRIGERATED PIE DOUGH: Make your own dough at home with my simple recipe for homemade pie crust.
- LIGHT BROWN SUGAR: Use dark brown sugar or granulated sugar.
- MAPLE SYRUP: The best substitutions are agave nectar or honey. If you don’t have these ingredients on hand, just increase the amount of vanilla extract.
- VANILLA EXTRACT: This ingredient enhances spice and sweetness. Sub with vanilla powder, maple syrup, bourbon, amber rum, or brandy.
- PUMPKIN PIE SPICE: Use ground cinnamon plus a pinch of nutmeg and tinier pinches of ground ginger and ground cloves.
- WHITE SPARKLING SUGAR: Use turbinado sugar instead.
BAKING SUPPLIES FOR POP TARTS
PUMPKIN-SHAPED COOKIE CUTTER: Select a sturdy cutter that makes nice clean cuts. For 6 small pumpkin pop tarts use a 4-inch cutter. For 9 toaster pastries use a 3-inch cutter. For 12 mini desserts use a 2-inch cutter.
BAKING TRAY: For flaky pastries that bake and brown evenly every time, use high-quality bakeware. The brand of my choice is USA Pan.
Grab the items you need through the Amazon affiliate links below.
RECIPE STEPS
RECIPE PREP: Adjust oven rack to center position. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- STEP 1: In a small bowl, combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Do a taste test. If needed, add a teeny-tiny pinch of salt.
- STEP 2: Unroll the refrigerated pie dough on a lightly-floured board. Cut out as many pumpkin shapes as possible. Transfer 6 pumpkin cut-outs to a prepared baking tray.
- STEP 3: For small 4-inch pop tarts, place 1 tablespoon filling in the center of the pumpkins. For mini 2-inch pop tarts, use 1 1/2 teaspoons filling for each. Place pumpkin cut-outs on top. Crimp edges with a fork.
- STEP 4: Beat the large egg with a splash of water. With a pastry brush, brush egg wash over the surface of pumpkin pop tarts. Sprinkle white sparkling sugar over the tops. If you prefer to frost them instead, I’ve included a vanilla glaze recipe in the “Recipe FAQ” section below.
BAKE PUMPKIN POP TARTS
Bake the breakfast pastries for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the tops and sides are golden blonde. Remove from oven. Transfer to a wire rack.
RECIPE FAQ
These are the most commonly-asked questions when making homemade pumpkin pop tarts, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.
For frosted breakfast pastries, whisk together: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons milk or cream (in a pinch, use water), 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a teeny-tiny pinch of salt. For thicker frosting add more sugar. To thin out the frosting add more milk.
Make pumpkin cream cheese bread, mini pumpkin pie tarts, or a pumpkin pie smoothie.
Sprinkle the leftover trimmings with cinnamon sugar. Arrange the scraps around the breakfast pastries on the baking tray. Bake them at the same time. These tiny scraps make delicious snacks!
If this happens, it’s most likely because there was too much filling inside or the edges of the pastries were not completely sealed. To prevent this from happening again, use a little less filling. For a tighter seal, brush the edges of the bottom piece of dough with egg wash before adding the top piece. Crimp the edges well with a fork.
Wrapped in plastic or in parchment paper, they can be kept on the countertop for 2 days. When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they can last up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze up to 1 month.
Rewarm them on a mini baking tray in the toaster oven.
more fall dessert recipes
If you like breakfast pastries, then you’ll also enjoy these yummy seasonal treats. A few of these are great grab-and-go snacks for busy families.
- CINNAMON CUPCAKES
- BAKED CINNAMON DONUTS
- BANANA WALNUT BREAD
- SWEET POTATO FLUFF
- PEACH GALETTE
- CHOCOLATE PECAN BARS
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Over the years, these homemade toaster pastries have delighted generations of family and friends. You can’t help but smile when enjoying these special treats. I’ve been told by friends, “this simple recipe is a gift!”
If you too loved these pumpkin pie pop tarts, give the recipe a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero! Share it with a friend.
PUMPKIN POP TARTS
- Total Time: 25 Minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
Description
These pumpkin pop tarts are adorable and delicious! They’re super simple to make. To keep several on hand, double the recipe and freeze half. Enjoy for breakfast, snack time or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Tiny pinch of salt, if needed
- 1 package (2 rolls) refrigerated pie dough OR homemade pie crust
- 1 large egg (+ splash of water)
- White sparkling sugar (coarse sugar crystals)
Instructions
RECIPE PREP: Adjust oven rack to center position. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Do a taste test. If needed, add a teeny-tiny pinch of salt.
- Unroll the refrigerated pie dough on a lightly-floured board. Cut out as many pumpkin shapes as possible. Transfer 6 pumpkin cut-outs to a prepared baking tray.
- For small 4-inch pop tarts, place 1 tablespoon filling in the center of the pumpkins. For mini 2-inch pop tarts, use 1 1/2 teaspoons filling for each. Place pumpkin cut-outs on top. Crimp edges with a fork.
- Beat the large egg with a splash of water. With a pastry brush, brush egg wash over the surface of pumpkin pop tarts. Sprinkle white sparkling sugar over the tops.
- Bake the breakfast pastries for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the tops and sides are golden blonde. Remove from oven. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Notes
WANT FROSTED POP TARTS? It’s easy to do. Just whisk together: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons milk or cream (in a pinch, use water), 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a teeny-tiny pinch of salt. For thicker frosting add more sugar. To thin out the frosting add more milk.
HOW TO REWARM HOMEMADE TOASTER PASTRIES: On a mini baking tray in a toaster oven!
HOW LONG DO HOMEMADE POP TARTS LAST? Wrapped in plastic or in parchment paper, they can be kept on the countertop for 2 days. When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they can last up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pumpkin Pop Tarts, Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts, Breakfast Pastries, Homemade Toaster Pastries
PUMPKIN POP TARTS > JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Do you love a sweet treat with your morning coffee? What do you think of these homemade toaster pastries? Do you prefer them frosted or with sparkling sugar? Share your thoughts on pumpkin pie pop tarts below!
