Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Ingredients

Pastry Dough
2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
½ tsp Kosher salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup ice water
Strawberry Filling
1 lb fresh strawberries, stems removed and quartered
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 pinch Kosher salt
For Assembly
1 large egg
1 tbsp milk
¼ tsp Kosher salt
1 tbsp strawberry filling for each pop tart
Vanilla Frosting
1 cup powdered sugar
34 tbsp milk
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
food coloring and sprinkles if desired

Directions

Pastry Dough

Place the flour salt and salt in the bowl of a food processor, pulse briefly to combine. Add the butter and water. Pulse until just combined. At this point you should be able to pinch the dough together with your fingers. If it’s too crumbly add the tiniest bits of ice water until the dough just sticks together. Transfer the dough to a large, clean work area. Divide dough into two portions and press into flat disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour or up to two days.

Strawberry Filling

In a medium saucepan combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Heat over medium high heat, stirring constantly with a spatula or wooden spoon until the strawberries start to sizzle. Reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook and mix for 10-15 minutes, until the berries release their juices and become saucy. Transfer the strawberries to a heat proof container and let cool to room temperature. Once cool, place in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Assemble the Pop Tarts

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two sheet trays with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Remove the dough one disk at a time from the fridge. Remove the plastic wrap and let the dough sit out a few minutes on a lightly floured work surface. Roll the dough to 1/8 inch thick. With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, trim the dough to 4 X 2 1/2 inch rectangles. Save any scraps and continue to roll until you don’t have enough dough left to continue. Do the same process with the second disk. You should end up with 22 rectangles.

Make the egg wash: whisk together the egg with the milk and salt.

Spread one tablespoon of the strawberry filling onto the center of eleven rectangles. Brush some egg wash on the edges of the dough. Place the other eleven pieces of dough over the ones with the filling. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal the tarts. Using a paring knife, cut three small slits or “X’s” in the top of each pop tart. This will ensure that the pop tarts don’t explode while baking. Place the filled pop tarts onto the baking sheets with and inch in between each tart.

Brush the egg wash on the tops of each pop tart. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Frosting the Pop Tarts

While the pop tarts are cooling make the frosting. Whisk together the powdered sugar with milk and vanilla. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired. Drizzle the frosting over the pop tarts and add sprinkles while the frosting is still runny. Let the frosting set for a few minutes. Serve at room temperature.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container. Enjoy within 3 days.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Citrus Roasted Strawberry Parfaits

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Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Maple Vanilla Roasted Strawberries

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Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Strawberry Crepe Casserole

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Directions

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Recipe: Simple Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients

Directions

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Recipe: Strawberry Feta Salad with Balsamic Dressing

We love this simple, fresh and healthy Strawberry Feta Summer salad with a delicious homemade balsamic dressing. Enjoy as a side dish or main course.

Ingredients

‘–for the salad
6 cups artisan lettuce, rinsed, dried and coarsely chopped
2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
1 1/2 cups feta cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
for the dressing
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl.

To make the dressing: Add all ingredients into a mason jar. Shake until well combined. Using a piece of lettuce for tasting, dip it into the dressing and add salt and pepper to taste.

Toss the salad with dressing to taste before serving.

This dressing will last for a few weeks stored in the refrigerator, simply shake before serving to emulsify it again.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Vegan Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream

We love this simple to prepare coconut ice cream. If you don’t have strawberries on hand use any berries you love!

Ingredients

2 cans (13.5 ounce) full fat coconut milk
1/2 cup pure maple syrup or agave
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
pinch of salt
2 1/4 cups (12 ounces) frozen strawberries, chopped into small pieces

Directions

Chill the coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight. Open the cans without turning them upside down. Carefully scoop some of the coconut cream into the bowl of a food processor. Carefully drain any water in the can. Place all of the coconut cream in the bowl.

Add the maple syrup and salt. Pulse until all is well combined and creamy.

Fold in 2 cups of the strawberries. Pour the ice cream batter into a 9×5 loaf pan, smooth with the back of a spoon if needed. Place the rest of the strawberries over the top. Cover with cling wrap.

Freeze for 2-3 hours or until you have ice cream. Consume within a few days.

~ Marla Meridith