Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies Recipe

If you’re craving a nostalgic treat with a fun, homemade twist, these Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies are the perfect answer. They capture the delightful flakiness of classic pop tarts but come in cookie form, featuring a sweet, spiced brown sugar filling that melts in your mouth. With a luscious vanilla glaze and optional sprinkles on top, these cookies brighten up any snack time or dessert plate, making them an instant favorite for both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are straightforward but essential—they create the perfect harmony of tender cookie dough and sweet, gooey filling that makes Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies so irresistible.

• All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): Provides the structure and tender crumb we need for the cookie base.
• Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Adds a light lift to keep the cookies airy and not dense.
• Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Works with the brown sugar to give a slight chewiness and slight browning.
• Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors beautifully.
• Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The key for rich, creamy dough that melts softly on your tongue.
• Brown sugar (1 cup, packed, plus 1 cup for filling): The star for that deep caramel flavor in both the dough and the filling.
• Granulated sugar (½ cup): Adds a subtle crunch and balances the moistness of the brown sugar.
• Large eggs (2): Bind everything together and add moisture.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings warmth and rounds out the flavors in both dough and glaze.
• Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Keeps the filling thick and gooey without being runny.
• Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds spice warmth to complement the brown sugar filling.
• Milk (1 tablespoon for brushing, plus 2 tablespoons for icing): For glazing the cookies and mixing the icing, lending a lovely sheen and sweetness.
• Powdered sugar (1 cup): The base for the sweet, glossy icing that finishes off the cookies perfectly.
• Sprinkles (optional): Because what’s a pop tart cookie without a little festive decoration?

How to Make Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Combining these first ensures that everything is evenly distributed, which helps your cookies bake evenly and have the perfect texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with both the brown and granulated sugars. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—it takes around 2 to 3 minutes and this step is essential for a tender cookie base that feels buttery and rich.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time to keep your dough from curdling, followed by the vanilla extract. This step adds moisture, helps with binding, and infuses the dough with cozy vanilla flavor.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed. Be careful not to overmix here; you want a tender dough that holds together but isn’t tough. Once combined, divide the dough into two equal pieces, shape into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step makes rolling out much easier and improves texture.

Step 5: Make the Brown Sugar Filling

Mix together the brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a small bowl to create the filling. This mixture will be sweet, slightly spiced, and thick enough to stay inside each cookie without oozing out.

Step 6: Roll and Cut Dough

Take one dough disk and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about a ¼ inch thick. Cut rectangles approximately 3 by 4 inches each. You should get about 12 rectangles per disk, totaling 24 pieces for the batch. Repeat with the second disk.

Step 7: Fill and Seal Cookies

Place a generous tablespoon of the brown sugar filling in the center of a rectangle. Top it with another rectangle of dough, pressing edges tightly together. Use a fork to crimp the edges, not just sealing the filling but also adding a fun, decorative touch reminiscent of the classic pop tart edges.

Step 8: Bake

Place the assembled cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, brush their tops lightly with milk for a golden finish, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 15 minutes. When the edges turn lightly golden and the tops set, you know they’re done.

Step 9: Ice and Decorate

After the cookies cool on wire racks, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to make a smooth glaze. Drizzle over your cooled Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies and add sprinkles if you’re feeling festive. This icing adds just the right amount of sweetness and a beautiful finish.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies

Garnishes

While the drizzle and sprinkles are classic choices, you can also try a light dusting of cinnamon or a few chopped nuts for a little crunch and extra warmth. Fresh fruit on the side can brighten the plate and balance the rich sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of chai tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a treat that feels both comforting and indulgent. They are fantastic alongside fruit preserves or even a smear of cream cheese frosting if you want a playful dip.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve these Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies stacked on a beautiful plate with a dusting of powdered sugar around the edges for an inviting display. For parties, try lining them up in a cookie box with parchment paper or wrapping them individually with ribbons for gifts that will impress all your friends.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Make sure they’ve completely cooled before sealing, or they might get soggy.

Freezing

You can freeze the assembled and baked cookies for up to three months. Just wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy that homemade comfort anytime.

Reheating

To revive their just-baked warmth, pop the cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. This brings back that melty, gooey filling and a soft, fresh-baked texture.

FAQs

Can I substitute the butter with margarine or oil?

Butter gives these Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies their rich flavor and tender texture, so swapping it out might affect the taste and crumb. Margarine could work in a pinch, but we don’t recommend oil as it changes the dough’s consistency too much.

What if I don’t have cornstarch for the filling?

Cornstarch thickens the brown sugar filling to keep it from running out during baking. You can substitute it with an equal amount of arrowroot powder or tapioca starch if needed.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum. This will help keep the dough structure and texture close to original.

How do I get perfectly sealed edges?

Press the dough edges firmly together before crimping with a fork. Chill the dough well before assembling; this helps prevent the filling from leaking and keeps the layers defined during baking.

Can I experiment with different fillings?

Yes! While brown sugar cinnamon filling is classic, try swapping in jams, chocolate chips, or even nut butters to create your own personalized Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies variations.

Final Thoughts

These Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies are such a delightful way to bring a familiar nostalgic favorite into cookie form, making snack time wonderfully special. They’re straightforward to make, utterly comforting, and sure to become a staple in your cookie rotation. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and share these chewy, sweet, and perfectly spiced treats with your loved ones. Happy baking!

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