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Heart-Shaped Sourdough Pop Tarts (With or Without Discard)

sourdough pop tarts

Homemade Sourdough Pop Tarts (With or Without Discard)

Ingredients

Pastry Dough

  • 16 tablespoons cold butter (2 sticks), shredded into the flour for extra flakiness

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup sourdough discard (optional — but adds great flavor)

  • ¼ cup cold water (plus up to ¼ cup more if needed)

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Jam Filling

  • 8 tablespoons jam (about 1 tablespoon per tart)

Strawberry Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 2 tablespoons jam

  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

  • Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.

  2. Add the butter. Using a box grater, shred the very cold butter directly into the flour mixture. Toss gently so the shreds get coated in flour — this helps create a flaky crust without overworking the dough.

  3. Add the sourdough & water. If using sourdough discard, stir it together with the cold water and add to the flour mixture. If you’re skipping discard, just add cold water a little at a time until the dough comes together.

  4. Form the dough. Gently mix with your hands until it just forms a shaggy dough. Add a splash of extra cold water if it’s too dry. Don’t overwork it.

  5. Chill. Divide into two disks, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 3 days).

  6. Shape. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out one disk on a floured surface to about ⅛-inch thick. Cut into heart shapes (or rectangles if you prefer).

  7. Fill. Place half the shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spoon about 1 tablespoon jam into the center of each.

  8. Top & seal. Top with matching hearts. Press edges gently and seal with a fork. Chill on the baking sheet in the fridge for 20 minutes — this helps them hold their shape.

  9. Egg wash. Whisk together the egg and heavy cream and brush over the tops. Use a toothpick to make a few tiny holes in each so steam can escape.

  10. Bake. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.

  11. Cool & glaze. Let cool completely. Whisk together powdered sugar, jam, and heavy cream to make a glaze. Spoon over cooled pop tarts and add sprinkles if you like.

Notes

  • Shredded butter = giant flaky layers. It’s worth the extra step.

  • Sourdough discard adds gentle tang but isn’t required.

  • Keep everything cold for the best texture.

  • These freeze beautifully before glazing.