It’s time for May’s “Pre-Made Our Way” Challenge! I mulled over this one for a while.. I wanted to do something sweet.. and I finally decide on homemade Pop Tarts!

I saw this recipe months ago on Genesis of a Cook (through Tastespotting), but only remembered it today. I love the idea of Pop Tarts, and they always look tasty.. but they’re full of preservatives, so I never buy them. But now.. I get to try them at home, and I hope you will, too! There is lots of flexibility with this recipe- I can’t wait too see the flavors you come up with!

Instructions: This is a totally relaxed challenge. As usual, the only real requirement is to bake them. Ideally, though, please bake, take a photo or two, and post about it on your blog (it’s okay if you don’t have one!). Then, send one picture, the link to your blog post, and any comments to me at natalieherr@gmail.com. Then I’ll post a round-up of all of the participants by the end of the month. Please post and send pictures/comments by Sunday, May 30 at midnight. Have fun!

Homemade Pop Tarts
(original recipe from Peabody)

For Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tbsp. cold water

For Filling:
Jam (your choice)

For Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
milk to thin

Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add shortening and butter and blend with a fork, pastry cutter, or your hands. Blend until mixture is fairly coarse. Add water, 1 tbsp. at a time, gently mixing dough after each addiction until dough forms a ball.

2. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a square/rectangle. To about 1/8 thickness. Cut out long strips about 2 inches wide and 3 inches long. Repeat until dough runs out.

3. Take one pie crust rectangle and lace 1 tsp. of jam on top. Cover with another piece of pie crust and crimp all four edges. Repeat with the rest of dough. Place Pop-tarts on a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bake for 7-8 minutes.

4. While pop-tarts are baking, make glaze. Place powdered sugar in a bowl. Pour milk slowing until it has a consistency of really thick syrup. 1/2 a tbsp. to 1 tbsp. might be enough.

5. Once pop-tarts are done and cooled, top with glaze. Add sprinkles and serve.