why make this recipe

Christmas Tree Pop Tarts are a fun and festive treat that everyone will love. They bring the spirit of the holidays into your kitchen and are perfect for sharing with family and friends. They’re easy to make, and the kids can even help out with the decorating! These tasty pastries make a great addition to your holiday breakfast or can be enjoyed as a sweet snack throughout the season.

how to make Christmas Tree Pop Tarts

Ingredients:

1 sheet of pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup fruit preserves (e.g., raspberry or strawberry)
1 egg (for egg wash)
Green icing (for decoration)
Sprinkles (for decoration)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll out the pie crust on a lightly floured surface and cut it into tree shapes. Use a small cookie cutter or knife to create tree outlines.
Place a teaspoon of fruit preserves on half of the cut-out trees, leaving a border around the edges.
Place the other half of the cut-out trees on top and press the edges to seal.
Brush the tops with egg wash.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool slightly, then decorate with green icing and sprinkles. Enjoy your festive treat!

how to serve Christmas Tree Pop Tarts

Serve these Christmas Tree Pop Tarts warm or at room temperature. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a glass of milk or hot cocoa. For an extra festive touch, arrange them on a holiday-themed platter and place them in the center of your dining table for everyone to take.

how to store Christmas Tree Pop Tarts

Keep any leftover Christmas Tree Pop Tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Place them in a freezer-safe container, and they can be stored for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature or warm them in the oven.

tips to make Christmas Tree Pop Tarts

Use a thick fruit preserve to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
Experiment with different flavors of preserves to customize your pop tarts.
If they are a bit tough to seal, try using a fork to crimp the edges to ensure they stay closed.
To make cleanup easier, use parchment paper on your baking sheet.

variation

You can easily customize these Christmas Tree Pop Tarts by using different shapes or by making them with chocolate or vanilla pudding instead of fruit preserves. You might also try different colors of icing and festive toppings based on your favorite holiday themes.

FAQs

Q: Can I use homemade pie crust?
A: Yes, you can use homemade pie crust if you prefer! Just make sure it’s rolled out thinly for best results.

Q: How long do these pop tarts take to prepare?
A: The preparation and baking can take about 30-40 minutes in total.

Q: Can I make these pop tarts ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the pop tarts a day in advance and bake them right before serving for a fresh treat. They also freeze well for later enjoyment.