Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies

By Lily | Last modified on Dec 21, 2025

Featured in: Desserts

Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie bursting with the nostalgic sweetness of strawberry Pop Tart pieces and a pop of colorful sprinkles. These Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies bring the classic childhood favorite into a fun, adult-friendly dessert that’s just as delightful as the original treat.

Whether you prefer them glazed for an extra sweet finish or plain with vibrant sprinkle toppings, these cookies are sure to bring joy to cookie lovers of all ages. Their tender crumb and playful flavors make them an irresistible indulgence for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines the classic flavor of strawberry Pop Tarts with a soft, buttery cookie base for a unique treat.
Fun addition of rainbow sprinkles adds a colorful, festive flair that’s perfect for kids and adults.
The optional glaze enhances sweetness and provides a glossy finish, but cookies are delicious with or without it.

Ingredients

Unsalted Butter (2 sticks, room temperature): Provides a rich, creamy base to create soft, tender cookies with a buttery flavor.
Sugar (1 ½ cups): Adds sweetness and helps create the perfect cookie texture by balancing moisture.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses aromatic warmth that complements the fruity strawberry pop tart pieces.
Large Eggs (2): Bind ingredients together and contribute to the soft, chewy texture of the cookies.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, preventing the sweetness from becoming overpowering.
Cream of Tartar (½ teaspoon): Acts as a stabilizer to give the cookies a slight tenderness and balanced rise.
Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): Leavens the cookies for lightness and an appealing crumb structure.
All-Purpose Flour (3 cups): Forms the body of the dough, providing structure and a soft crumb.
Strawberry Pop Tarts (5, chopped into small pieces): Adds bursts of strawberry flavor and a nostalgic crunch throughout the cookies.
Rainbow Sprinkles (¼ cup plus extra for topping): Brings fun color and delightful texture, enhancing the playful look and taste of the cookies.
Powdered Sugar (2 cups, for optional glaze): Sweet base for the glaze, providing smooth sweetness without grit.
Heavy Whipping Cream (8 tablespoons, for optional glaze): Creates the perfect creamy consistency for the glaze to coat the cookies evenly.
Extra Rainbow Sprinkles (2 tablespoons, for glaze topping): Adds a colorful, festive touch when sprinkled over the glazed cookies.

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies bake evenly without sticking and promotes easy cleanup.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar using a hand mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step aerates the dough, creating a tender, fluffy texture in the baked cookies.
Add Vanilla and Eggs: Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs to the butter-sugar base, blending until fully combined. The eggs add moisture and help bind the dough, while vanilla enhances the sweet aroma.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Pre-mixing the dry ingredients ensures the leavening agents and seasoning are evenly distributed for consistent results.
Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet Batter: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing well and scraping down the bowl sides to form a smooth dough. This gentle approach prevents overworking, which can toughen cookies.
Fold in Pop Tart Pieces and Sprinkles: Gently fold in the chopped strawberry Pop Tart pieces (set aside about ⅓ cup for topping) and ¼ cup of rainbow sprinkles. These add bursts of fruity flavor and festive crunch throughout the dough.
Shape and Arrange Cookie Dough: Use about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, rolling into balls, and spacing them 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Proper spacing allows the cookies to spread without merging into each other.
Add Reserved Toppings for Unglazed Cookies: If opting out of the glaze, gently press the reserved Pop Tart pieces onto the tops of the cookies now to add decorative detail and extra flavor on top.
Bake the Cookies: Bake for 11–12 minutes until the edges turn slightly golden while centers remain soft. This timing creates the perfect balance of baked-through but tender cookies.
Cool and Prepare Glaze: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Meanwhile, whisk powdered sugar with heavy whipping cream until smooth into a pourable glaze.
Glaze and Decorate Cookies: Once fully cooled, dip cookie tops briefly into the glaze, then sprinkle with leftover Pop Tart pieces and rainbow sprinkles for a colorful, glossy finish. For variety, you can glaze only some cookies and leave others plain.

You Must Know

The glaze is completely optional but adds an extra sweet and visually appealing dimension.
The size of the Pop Tart pieces can be adjusted based on how pronounced you want their texture and flavor in each bite.
Cookies can be made ahead and stored refrigerated to maintain freshness.

Storage Tips

Store your Strawberry Pop Tart Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days to keep them fresh and soft. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea. They also make a fun treat for birthday parties, brunch gatherings, or an afternoon snack with friends and family.

Professional Tips

Room temperature butter blends more easily with sugar, resulting in a better dough texture.
Don’t overmix once the flour is added to prevent tough cookies; mix just until combined.
If using different Pop Tart flavors, adjust sprinkles color to complement for a visually appealing cookie.

FAQs

Can I use other Pop Tart flavors in these cookies?: Yes! Feel free to experiment with different flavors like brown sugar cinnamon or blueberry to create unique cookie variations.
What if I don’t have cream of tartar?: You can omit cream of tartar if needed; the cookies might be slightly less tender but will still be delicious.
How do I store these cookies for longer periods?: For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?: Yes, substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend works well, but texture may vary slightly.
Is it necessary to glaze the cookies?: No, glazing is optional and based on your preference; unglazed cookies are still colorful and tasty with sprinkles.
Why do the cookies need cream of tartar?: Cream of tartar acts as a stabilizer and leavening aid, giving the cookies a slight tenderness and better rise.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?: Yes, you can refrigerate dough for up to 24 hours to enhance flavors and make baking more convenient.