homemade roasted apple pop tarts

Homemade pop tarts are amazing! Made with real ingredients, a flaky crust and totally customizable. You can even make them with your little ones for a great in-the-kitchen activity. Get creative — try different shapes, icings, etc. to spice things up! Makes 8 standard sized tarts ingredients

2 – 9-inch pie crusts (homemade or your favorite prepared refrigerated pie crust)

1 cup apple juice

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3 medium apples, chopped and roasted (recipe left)

1 tablespoon apple brandy (optional)

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Pinch of salt

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon brown sugar

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon cinnamon directions

Roasted Apple Filling

Combine apple juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, roasted apples and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.

Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine apple brandy (if omitting brandy, use 1 tablespoon apple cider, room cold or room temperature) with 2 teaspoons cornstarch until smooth and lump free. While stirring the apple mixture, add in the cornstarch mixture. Stir well.

Once mixture comes to a boil, remove from heat and let cool completely before assembling the pop tarts.

Cream Cheese Filling

Cream together cream cheese, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until smooth and creamy.

Preparing Pie Crust

If using homemade pie crust, split dough in half. Roll each half into a 14 by 10 inch rectangle, one-eighth inch thickness.

If using prepared pie crust, square off the edges and roll remaining dough into a 14 by 10 inch rectangle. You could cut out cute shapes in the scraps and use as little decorations for your pop tarts. NOTE: yields may be less with prepared pie crust or the pop tarts may be smaller depending on the brand of pie crust.

Cut each rectangle into 4 equally sized rectangles, each measuring approximately 5 by 7 inches.

Gently fold each rectangle in half to create a crease. Unfold and cut down the center, making 8 similarly sized rectangles.

Spread 1 and a half tablespoons cream cheese filling on 4 of the rectangles, leaving a half inch of pie crust along each edge.

Top cream cheese with 2 tablespoons apple filling and spread into an even layer, leaving a half inch border of pie crust along all 4 edges.

Lightly brush the edges with water. Cover with another rectangle of pie crust and gently press the edges together.

Using a fork, crimp the edges together. For a rustic, more handmade look, leave the edges as is. Or, you can cut off uneven edges for a cleaner look.

Baking

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place filled and sealed pop tarts on a parchment lined baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.

Brush top of each pop tart lightly with cream (or whisked egg) and sprinkle with raw sugar. If using a powdered sugar icing/glaze, do not add raw sugar.

Bake 15–18 minutes til golden brown. Cool slightly before enjoying. Can be stored in airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen to enjoy later.

SQUARE ONE is a food focused business located near downtown Fargo featuring all things food — from hands on cooking classes and team building events to a shared kitchen facility for up and coming food startups. Casey Steele owns and manages Square One while operating her own food business of eight years, Love in the Oven Bakery. Chef Randall is a classically trained certified executive chef bringing more than 20 years of experience and passion to his classes, recipes and events. We really love food and want to share our love of all things delicious with the community!

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