Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies Recipe
Imagine all the nostalgia of a beloved breakfast pastry tucked inside a chewy, golden cookie: that’s exactly what you get with Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies. Each bite is filled with a gooey brown sugar-cinnamon center, wrapped in a tender cookie shell, and finished with a sweet drizzle of icing. Whether you’re reminiscing about childhood treats or just looking for a playful twist on classic flavors, these cookies offer pure comfort and delight, perfect for sharing with friends over coffee or enjoying as a special after-school snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy to whip up these Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies, but every ingredient brings something special. From the deep, caramel notes in brown sugar to a hint of warm cinnamon, each item below plays a hand in flavor, texture, or the gorgeous finished look.
- All-purpose flour: The essential structure for your cookies, giving them just the right amount of bite.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise to just the right thickness and tenderness.
- Baking soda: Balances acidity and adds some lift for extra lightness.
- Salt: Enhances every sweet and spiced note in the dough—don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter (softened): Creates a rich, soft texture and melds perfectly with the sugars.
- Brown sugar (packed): Lends a deep molasses flavor and moisture, both inside and outside the cookie.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps give the cookie its classic crumb.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together for that perfect chewy bite.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warm, aromatic notes throughout the cookie dough.
- Brown sugar (for filling): Creates the gooey, sweet filling reminiscent of a Pop-Tart core.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the filling so it stays in the center and doesn’t ooze out.
- Cinnamon: That cozy, classic flavor that makes every bite feel like home.
- Milk (for brushing): Moisten the tops before baking for a beautiful finish.
- Powdered sugar (for icing): The base for a quick, glossy glaze to drizzle over the cooled cookies.
- Milk (for icing): Blends with the powdered sugar for a smooth, pourable icing.
- Sprinkles (optional): The perfect playful touch for anyone who can’t resist a little extra color!
How to Make Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by grabbing your trusty mixing bowls. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This little step means your dry ingredients will be evenly distributed, so you won’t end up with a surprise clump in one bite and nothing the next!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Don’t rush here—spend about 2-3 minutes since this is what gives your cookies that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Now, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is completely mixed in before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until your dough smells almost too tempting to bake.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Resist the urge to overmix! A gentle hand keeps the cookies soft and tender.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a disk. Wrap both in plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge for at least an hour—this step ensures they’ll roll out smoothly and bake up perfectly.
Step 6: Prepare the Brown Sugar Filling
While the dough chills, stir together the brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a small bowl. This trio makes the dreamy, gooey filling that sets these cookies apart from the crowd.
Step 7: Get Ready to Roll
Once your dough has had its beauty rest, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper for a stick-free finish.
Step 8: Roll and Cut the Dough
Working with one dough disk at a time, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice it into rectangles roughly 3×4 inches. Precision isn’t essential—it’s all part of their handmade charm!
Step 9: Fill and Assemble
Spoon a tablespoon of your brown sugar filling onto the center of half the dough rectangles. Top with another rectangle and seal the edges by pressing gently, then use a fork for those signature crimped edges. This step transforms each cookie into a mini Pop-Tart surprise.
Step 10: Bake
Arrange the assembled cookies on your baking sheets, leaving room between each. Brush the tops with milk for a lovely sheen, then bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are just golden. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling completely.
Step 11: Icing and Sprinkles
Mix powdered sugar and a little milk until smooth. Drizzle this icing over the cooled cookies, letting it cascade over the edges. For the ultimate throwback, add festive sprinkles while the icing is still wet!
How to Serve Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies
Garnishes
A simple drizzle of classic icing is all you need for these cookies, but a few colorful sprinkles never hurt anyone! For a grown-up twist, try dusting with cinnamon or a pinch of flaky sea salt right after icing for a pop of flavor and flair.
Side Dishes
Pair Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies with an icy glass of milk, a piping-hot cup of coffee, or even a chai latte for a spiced twist. For a more decadent treat, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, letting the cookie’s warmth slightly melt the ice cream for a dreamy dessert moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them on a tiered dessert tray for a brunch buffet, pop them into wax paper bags for adorable party favors, or arrange them in a cupcake liner for a fun lunchbox treat. You could even create a cookie sundae by topping a warm Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookie with whipped cream and extra sprinkles!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. Make sure the icing is completely set before stacking them to prevent any sticky mess.
Freezing
These Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies freeze beautifully, baked or unbaked. For unbaked cookies, assemble them and freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Baked cookies can be wrapped and frozen as well—just thaw at room temp when you’re ready for a sweet treat.
Reheating
If you want to bring back that just-baked magic, warm the cookies for about 10 seconds in the microwave. This revives their soft texture and makes the filling extra gooey. If frozen, let them thaw first for best results.
FAQs
Can I make Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can chill the cookie dough disks for up to 48 hours before rolling and assembling, or freeze both the unbaked or fully baked cookies for even longer storage. Just be sure to bring unbaked dough to room temperature for about 15 minutes before working with it.
What if I don’t have cornstarch for the filling?
You can substitute an equal amount of flour if needed—the purpose is to thicken the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture so it doesn’t run out during baking.
How do I prevent the cookie edges from opening up?
Press the edges firmly and crimp with a fork to seal each cookie well. If your dough is sticking or too soft, lightly flour your work surface or chill the rectangles for a few more minutes before filling and assembling.
Can I add other flavors to the filling?
Definitely! While classic brown sugar and cinnamon are what make these Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies truly authentic, you can tweak the filling with a dash of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or even a few mini chocolate chips for a new flavor combo.
Are these cookies kid-friendly for helping in the kitchen?
Yes! Little hands will love crimping the edges and adding brightly colored sprinkles. Just give them a bit of guidance with rolling and filling, and enjoy their enthusiastic help.
Final Thoughts
If you’re yearning for something a little whimsical but deeply satisfying, Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies are just the ticket. Share them at a party, bake them for family, or stash a few away for yourself—either way, they’re bound to make happy memories and prompt repeat requests!
Print
Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the flavors of a classic pop tart in cookie form. These cookies feature a buttery dough filled with a sweet brown sugar mixture and topped with a simple icing.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling and Icing:
- 1 cup brown sugar (for filling)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon milk (for brushing)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
- 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
- Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Dry Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Prepare Dough: Cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Gradually add dry mixture and mix until combined.
- Chill Dough: Divide dough, shape into disks, wrap, and refrigerate.
- Make Filling: Combine brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
- Roll Dough: Roll out dough, cut into rectangles.
- Fill and Assemble: Place filling on a rectangle, top with another rectangle, seal edges, and crimp with a fork.
- Bake: Brush with milk, bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.
- Ice: Whisk powdered sugar and milk, drizzle over cooled cookies, and add sprinkles.
Notes
- You can customize the filling with jam or preserves for different flavor variations.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- These cookies are great for parties or as a sweet snack with coffee or tea.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies, Pop Tart Cookies, Brown Sugar Cookies, Cookie Recipe
