Apple Pie Pop Tarts #SpringSweetsWeek

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

I am one of those people who never ate breakfast for years.   It just wasn't my thing even though I would wake up early and do a million things.  After I started working at a school I began eating just a little bit for breakfast.  I prefer sweet things like pancakes or a cinnamon roll or fruit.  On occasion I would eat a bowl of dry cereal or a piece of toast.

One of the things I would have as a treat was a Pop Tart.   It wasn't anything I would seek out but there's something about a toasty, sweet Pop Tart that was perfect on a weekend morning.  It was almost like I was eating dessert for breakfast and I was ok with that.

I haven't had a Pop Tart in years but I do serve them to the kids at school whenever we have a delay and don't have breakfast.  While I still think having one every once in a while is fine, I find that they are overly sweet.  Since I would still like to have one at times I decided to make my own.

My first thought was to use puff pastry but then I realized that would be more like making a toaster strudel.   While I could make my own dough the easiest way to go was to simply buy refrigerated pie crust dough.

I am all about apples and cinnamon for breakfast so I made an Apple Pie Pop Tart.  I rolled out the pie dough and cut each one into 6 pieces so that I would have 6 total Pop Tarts.  Then I started on the filling.

I wanted the apples to be thin slices but I didn't want to chop them all by hand because I knew they wouldn't be the same size.  I ended up using my Deiss Kitchenware apple slicer and corer.   I used it to cut two apples into eight pieces and to remove the core.  Then I took each of the pieces and sliced them into four pieces.  This resulted in a uniform apple slice that was perfect for what I was looking for.

I cooked the apples with brown sugar and spices then whisked in some flour to thicken it up.   I placed a bit of the filling on half of the pie crust dough rectangles and then put the other half of the pie crust dough on top.  Using a fork I crimped the two pieces together to form the Pop Tart.

After they came out of the oven I let them cool completely.  I mixed up an easy cinnamon glaze and then used Fresh April Sprinkles Birthday Party Sprinkle Blend to give them a fun look that I know kids will love.

These Pop Tarts are seriously amazing.   The crust is buttery and flaky while the inside tastes like homemade apple pie.   The glaze adds a hint of spice and the sprinkles add a bit of fun.  I can honestly say I won't be going back to store bought Pop Tarts again!  These were easy enough to make and last several days so I can make them on the weekends and enjoy them for breakfast during the week.

Pro Tips & Substitutions:

• You can make the apple filling up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate it until you are ready to make the pop tarts.
• Not a fan of apples?    Substitute peaches instead!   Simply peel the peaches, remove the pit, and chop into pieces.
• Once the pop tarts have cooled place the wire rack they cooled on over top of a baking sheet before pouring on the glaze.  This will catch any glaze that drips down and you will have less mess to clean up!

Thursday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

• Apple Pie Pop Tarts by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Banana Pecan Muffins by Jen Around the World
• Butterscotch Sheet Cake by Pastry Chef Online
• Carrot Cake Scones with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting by Blogghetti
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Roll by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Chocolate Crackles by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Frosted Mocha Brownies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Homemade Cinnamon Pecan Granola by Simply Inspired Meals
• Low-Carb Creme Brulee by Art of Natural Living
• No Bake Banana Cream Pie with Pecan Crust by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Orange Pecan Torte by That Recipe
• Pecan Pralines by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Raspberry Almond Cold Brew Latte by The Baking Fairy
• Strawberry Poptarts by Cookaholic Wife
• Strawberry Rhubarb Sweet Rolls by Kate's Recipe Box
• Sweet and Salty Easter Snack Mix by Sweet Beginnings