Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie, a dreamy mashup that turns the nostalgic breakfast pastry into a show-stopping dessert. Imagine tender pastry crusts enveloping a lusciously sweet and tangy strawberry filling, all crowned with a playful glaze and rainbow sprinkles. It’s a treat that brings pure joy to any table, whether you’re serving it at a party or indulging in a slice for a comforting snack. If you’ve ever wanted to relive your childhood with a touch of homemade charm, this is your moment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s nothing fussy here — just straightforward ingredients, each playing an important role in the final taste and texture of your Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie. These essentials let the ripe strawberries really shine while keeping things delightfully simple for bakers of all levels.
- Pie crusts: Whether you reach for store-bought or whip up homemade, these form the golden, flaky base and top of your pie.
- Fresh strawberries: Two pounds of juicy berries create a vibrant, flavorful filling that’s bursting with summer sweetness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the fruit and balances out the tartness, bringing out the natural strawberry flavor.
- Cornstarch: The secret to a perfectly thick, sliceable filling that holds together when cut.
- Lemon juice and zest: Adds bright, citrusy notes that make the strawberries pop and keeps the filling from tasting flat.
- Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon brings warm, cozy complexity to the filling.
- Pinch of salt: A little salt enhances all the other flavors so every bite sings.
- Water: Helps the strawberries cook down and meld with the other ingredients.
- Powdered sugar: This is the base for your sweet, glossy glaze.
- Half and half: Softens the glaze and gives it that creamy, pourable consistency.
- Rainbow nonpareil sprinkles: A cheerful finishing touch that makes your Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie look just like its classic inspiration!
How to Make Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie
Step 1: Make the Strawberry Pie Filling
Start by combining water, fresh strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, zest, salt, and vanilla in a pot over medium-low heat. As the berries cook, they’ll begin to soften and release their juices, blending with the sugar and lemon to form a jammy, aromatic base. After about 4 to 5 minutes, stir in the cornstarch to transform the fruity mixture into a glossy, thick filling that’s perfect for slicing later on.
Step 2: Prepare the Pie Crust
Grease a 9-inch pie plate and gently lay in your first crust, smoothing it to the edges. Pour the warm strawberry filling into the crust, spreading it evenly for maximum strawberry goodness in every bite. Top with the second crust, trimming and crimping the edges together so no precious filling escapes. Don’t forget to cut a few slits in the center for venting — this helps the steam escape while keeping your crust beautifully intact.
Step 3: Bake Your Pie
Slide your pie into a preheated 375° F oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top crust is golden brown and you catch a whiff of bubbling strawberries. Let it cool fully on a wire rack, which will help the filling set up for perfect slices.
Step 4: Make and Apply the Glaze
While your pie cools, whisk together powdered sugar and half and half until you have a thick yet drizzle-able icing. Once the pie has cooled completely — patience is key here! — generously drizzle the sweet glaze over the top. Then, sprinkle those rainbow nonpareils everywhere for that unmistakable Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie flair. Take a moment to admire your handiwork before slicing into sweet, strawberry-filled bliss.
How to Serve Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie
Garnishes
For that classic pop-tart look, you can’t go wrong with a thick layer of glaze and a blizzard of rainbow sprinkles. If you want to get fancy, try a few dollops of whipped cream or a scattering of thinly sliced fresh strawberries arranged on top. The contrast of creamy and fruity makes each slice even more inviting.
Side Dishes
This pie really shines on its own, but if you want to turn dessert into something extra special, consider serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened Greek yogurt. The cool, creamy sides turn every bite of Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie into an experience you won’t soon forget!
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve traditional wedges, of course, but for a playful twist, cut your Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie into bars or squares for a hand-held treat. Want a breakfast-to-dessert transformation? Try toasting slices for a warm, gooey twist. And for parties, mini pies in muffin tins add a cute, personal touch that guests will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. The crust will stay crisp and the filling keeps its bright, fresh flavor.
Freezing
If you’d like to save your creation for another day, simply wrap individual slices in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, or place the whole pie in an airtight container. It freezes beautifully for up to two months — just let it thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
To enjoy your pie warm, pop slices into a 300°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust flaky! If you’re in a hurry, a few seconds in the microwave will do the trick but may soften the pastry.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie?
Absolutely! Just let the berries thaw and drain off any excess liquid to prevent a soggy filling. You might need to cook the filling for a minute or two longer to reach the right consistency.
Is it better to use store-bought or homemade crust?
Both options work beautifully in this Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie. Store-bought saves time, while homemade gives you more control over flavor and texture. Pick whichever suits your mood or schedule — either way, you’ll end up with a delicious result!
How do I know when the filling is thick enough?
Ideal filling should coat the back of a spoon and move together as you stir; it will continue to firm up as it cools. If your mixture still looks runny after adding the cornstarch, cook it another minute or two until it comes together.
Can I make this pie gluten-free?
Yes, it’s easy to make your Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie gluten-free. Just substitute your favorite gluten-free pie crust and make sure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free. The results will be just as tasty and crowd-pleasing.
How do I get the glaze to set perfectly?
Patience pays off! Wait until the pie is completely cool before drizzling the glaze. This helps it firm up properly and prevents it from melting into the pie, leaving those beautiful stripes and sprinkles on top.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, there’s something utterly magical about pulling a Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie from the oven and seeing all those childhood memories come alive in a homemade dessert. Give it a try, share a few slices, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a new classic in your kitchen!
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Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 9″ pie (8 servings) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the nostalgic flavors of a classic toaster pastry with this delightful Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie recipe. Fresh strawberries encased in a flaky crust, topped with a sweet glaze and colorful sprinkles, make this pie a whimsical dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
For pie:
- 2 9″ store-bought or homemade pie crusts
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 lbs. fresh strawberries, hulled
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
For glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons half and half
- Rainbow nonpareil sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9” pie plate.
- Cook the filling: In a pot, combine water, strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, zest, salt, and vanilla. Cook until strawberries soften, then add cornstarch and cook until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the pie: Line the pie plate with a crust, fill with strawberry mixture, top with another crust, crimp edges, and vent the top.
- Bake: Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden brown.
- Make the glaze: Whisk powdered sugar and half and half until smooth. Drizzle over cooled pie, sprinkle with nonpareils, and let set.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie, Strawberry Pie Recipe, Fruit Pie, Homemade Pie, Dessert
