Intention.
When I make a pie or tart, I often have leftover dough. I never want to waste it, so I usually create a mini tart or pastry as a treat for Mark. I never know what the filling will be — it might be fresh fruit, jam, Nutella, chocolate, or even a savory version with goat cheese or tapenade. It’s fun to be creative with my dough scraps and explore options for different fillings in the fridge and pantry.
Today, though, I didn’t use scraps. I set out intentionally to make a homemade version of Pop Tarts. I was inspired by host gifts from blogging friend Ingrid (Art of Natural Living) when she and her husband visited us last fall. They are treats she brought back from Hawaii: a jar of pineapple butter and the best macadamia nuts I’ve ever had. While in Paris, we watched the ridiculous but charming movie, Unfrosted, and it reminded me to make these Pop Tarts as soon as we got home.
~ David
Homemade Aloha Pop Tarts
To print this recipe, please click the small printer icon below.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar, plus extra
- 8 tablespoons cold butter
- 1/4 cup milk, plus extra (whole or 2%)
- 2 tablespoons pineapple butter (see note)
- 2 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts, about 20 (see note)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place flour and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Top with the butter cut into approximately 16 pieces. Cover and pulse 12 times. Add the milk, pouring it around in a circle to distribute it evenly. Then, using long pulses, mix until the dough forms a ball (about 24-30 pulses).
- Alternatively, you can mix this by hand. In this case, whisk together flour and sugar. Add butter cut into approximately 16 pieces, and toss to coat. Using your thumb and first two fingers, pinch in the butter until you have cornflake-shaped pieces of dough. Sprinkle the milk over top and toss with a fork. Use your hands to bring it together into a ball.
- Shape the dough ball into a flat rectangle. Roll out dough on a well-floured board in a rectangular shape until 1/8-inch thick. From that, cut out as many 3 1/2-inch by 5-inch rectangles as you can, and set them aside. Pull together the scraps and cut out more rectangles. Repeat until there is no dough left. You should have 8 pieces.
- Spread 1/2 tablespoon of the pineapple butter (or your preferred jam) evenly onto 4 of the rectangles, leaving a 1/2-inch border with no filling. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if using. Using some extra milk, brush the edges of the four with the filling then top with one of the remaining dough rectangles. Using a fork, crimp the edges to seal. Prick the tops with the fork, brush with milk, and sprinkle with sugar.
- Place the Pop Tarts on a parchment-line baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Makes 4, can be doubled.
- Notes:
- — use any thick jam you like. If it’s really chunky, give it a blitz in the processor or with an immersion blender.
- — you can use whatever type of nut you like, or skip the nuts altogether.
© 2024 Copyright Cocoa & Lavender
Barb
June 15, 2024 at 4:19 amWhat a fun recipe!! Pineapple and macadamia nuts are a perfect combination. I found the pineapple butter from Hawaii online: https://likolehua.com/products/pineapple-butter
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 6:26 amI’ve thought about posting homemade Pop Tarts for a long time, Barb, but am glad I waited. In doing so I was able to rework the crust recipe, which I love. Glad you found pineapple butter online!
Carolyne
June 15, 2024 at 6:13 amThat is a fun idea and yours look much better than the commercial version that I remember.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 6:26 amCarolyne — In all humble immodesty (I love oxymorons), these are infinitely better! 🙂
Mad Dog
June 15, 2024 at 6:19 amBrilliant and I bet they taste better than the “real” thing!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 6:27 amI think so, Mad Dog, but there will be purists who just won’t have it!
Tom Buchanan
June 15, 2024 at 8:39 amThis looks completely scrumptious, and it brings back wonderful memories of when I was a little kid “helping” my mother make pies. She always made some kind of a little tart or spiral pastry for me with the leftover scraps of pie crust dough.
Whatever the shape, whatever the filling, I liked it even better than the main event.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 9:22 amI know they were than the main event because they were just for you. So special. I’m glad this post piqued some nice memories, Tom.
Mimi Rippee
June 15, 2024 at 10:12 amWell they certainly look delicious! I couldn’t finish Unfrosted. Maybe I should give it another try?!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 10:25 amI think if you go into watching it as a silly farce, and not a work of art, you might make it through. Considering the cast, they all had to think it was just ridiculous…
sherry
June 15, 2024 at 1:30 pmI must say pineapple butter sounds intriguing. Pop tarts – so, they are small pies? My mum used to make little jam tarts (no pastry top) with leftover pastry. So cute and delicious, as are yours David. Come here for fresh macadamias! As you know, they are Australian native nuts so if you come to a macadamia farm here, they are so fresh and scrumptious!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 4:43 pmI’m so happy you don’t know Pop Tarts, Sherry! They are a type of hand pie. Two cereal companies make them — one called PTs and the others Post Toastems. Gummy and too sweet. These are just right — and I wish I could come there for my macadamias! But Hawaiian ones will need to hold me until I can get there.
angiesrecipes
June 15, 2024 at 8:02 pmI haven’t had pineapple butter in ages!! These pop tarts look so inviting, David.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 16, 2024 at 5:54 amI never even knew about pineapple butter until it was gifted to me — it’s delightful! Glad you like the little tarts, Angie!
Ronit
June 16, 2024 at 1:14 pmI haven’t watched the movie yet, but it came to mind when I saw your post. These look perfect, and must be so tasty! I really like the filling of pineapple and macadamia nuts. They belong together! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
June 18, 2024 at 7:07 amThe movie was completely ridiculous (and I assume that was their intent, considering the comedic cast), but we enjoyed it for what it was. Including the reminder that I had pop tarts to make once i returned from Paris.
Raymund
June 19, 2024 at 8:00 pmDavid, your homemade Pop Tarts sound like a delightful treat! It’s always fun to find creative uses for leftover dough, whether it’s a mini tart for Mark or these inspired treats. The combination of pineapple butter and macadamia nuts from Hawaii must have infused them with such unique flavors.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 20, 2024 at 9:55 amSeveral people have requested specific pop tarts. I’m working on those now!
Marcelle
June 20, 2024 at 11:47 pmI love the pineapple filling and the fresh made dough for your pop tarts, they look so tasty! The kids and I have made a version of homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts with store-bought puff pastry before, but that’s been a long time ago. I’m gonna have to try this again with fresh pastry dough, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 21, 2024 at 8:46 amMarcelle, I know there’s a place for puff pastry, but I found it too tough in most situations. This French pastry dough is just perfect for the purpose. I think you’ll really like it! The milk and the sugar make all the difference in the dough.
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
June 21, 2024 at 6:53 amOh David, I love making homemade pop tarts, but I’ve never made them with pineapple butter and macadamia nuts. Delightful!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 21, 2024 at 8:46 amSince posting this pop tart recipe, I’ve had all sorts of interesting requests for pop tarts. Who knows, maybe it will become a thing!
Velva
June 23, 2024 at 9:23 amPop Tarts-An American classic. I loved, loved pop tarts growing up. I definitely prefer the more grown up version of pop tarts these days. Your version is delightful. You show there can potentially be so many fillings to create a delicious pastry treat. A gift of pineapple butter and macadamia nuts has been enjoyed in the most thoughtful way.
Velva
Cocoa & Lavender
June 24, 2024 at 9:24 amHonestly Used to love pop tarts as a young kid. It was one of the few junk food treats that my mother let us have. But now, as an adult, I want a much better crust and more interesting fill!
2pots2cook
June 24, 2024 at 6:38 amHow inspiring! I would never think of combining pineapple and macadamia! Sound delicious!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 24, 2024 at 9:20 amIt worked out really well, and I might try that combination with some other dishes.
Valentina
July 31, 2024 at 2:24 pmNot sure what I love more, the name of this treat, or the treat itself! 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
August 1, 2024 at 8:22 amIt’s okay to like both!