Easy Valentine Pop Tarts

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and falls on a Thursday this year. We’ve decided we’ll celebrate Saturday with our boys by doing an all out breakfast feast, including these easy valentine pop tarts.

We tested out the recipe last weekend and they’re delightful. Flaky pastry surrounds warm gooey strawberry jam all topped with a quick icing. My waffle-loving son has traded up his breakfast request for these homemade pop tarts. So, we’ll oblige and make them again for Valentine’s Day along with a few other breakfast options. I’m thinking maybe a pancake bar with all the fixings. My aunt has put me on to my grandfather’s recipe. I’ve been looking for a good pancake recipe for years. In fact, I started a food bucket list (My 100) to keep track of all the recipes I’ve been wanting to try and pancakes are on that list! I’m excited to have a family recipe that’s stood the test of time to add to my growing cooking repertoire.

Growing up, my mom never bought pop tarts. It wasn’t until I was living on my own, that I can remember trying the store bought version for the first time. Friends from school had always been fans, but I can honestly say, the pop-tart movement never struck a chord with me. I can appreciate the idea, pastry with fruit filling and icing, really, what’s not to like? The original, just isn’t my thing.

However, when I came across this recipe on The Pioneer Woman, I knew I’d have to give it a try. They’re super easy to make and the leftovers freeze beautifully. Ben, my son, helped by cutting out the heart shapes and putting spoonfuls of the jam mixture onto each heart. I’m sure, if I’d let him, he would’ve tackled every facet of this recipe, however, I wasn’t ready for that mess! He’s still pretty little for kitchen duty, but he helps out where he can. I’m hoping being involved in the kitchen will grow a lifelong love of cooking.

Anyways, back to these easy valentine pop tarts. The recipe came together quickly. I mixed up the jam mixture and lightly beat the egg. Ben cut out the hearts and scooped the jam mixture on the bottom heart with a little help. Then it was just a matter of brushing the bottom pie crust with a bit of egg and sealing the top and bottom crusts by crimping both pastries together using a fork. It was simple! The results were fantastic and memories were made. Another successful recipe under our belts.