ROAD TRIP POP TARTS

With summertime travel just on the horizon, here’s a great little treat to take along with you to make the ride a litter sweeter. Handmade pop tarts. Happiness in the hand. Easy to prepare ahead and transport. A super fun way to start a trip. Make a few of these for the journey and suddenly the miles just melt away. And handmade pop tarts become your tradition.

Here is what you will need-

Crust

2 C. Flour

1/8” C. Sugar

1 C. Butter Flavor Shortening

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Flavoring

½ C. Ice Cold Water

Red Raspberry Jelly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl add flour, sugar and add shortening. Use a pastry blender (or fork) to cut shortening into the flour/sugar mix.

Mix until small little pea size balls form in the dough.

Add vanilla flavoring to the ice water. Add a little water at a time to the flour/sugar/shortening until it slightly sticks together.

Form into a ball.

Divide the ball in half. Roll out one ball on a floured surface about ¼” thick.

Using an index card (3” x 5”) as a pattern, lay the card on the dough and cut four rectangles.

Place on parchment paper and lay on a baking sheet.

Spread a teaspoon of red raspberry jelly on the rectangle, leaving a ¼” boarder. If you jelly is cold, warm for a few seconds in the microwave.

With your finger run a bead of water around the edge of the rectangle.

Roll out the second ball of dough into ¼’’ thickness. Cut four more rectangles using your index card as a pattern. With a fork, prick several holes in the dough. 

Place rectangles on top of the first, and press down along the edges to seal.

Lightly press a fork along the edges to seal completely.

Bake 20-25 minutes, or just until edges start to brown. If you have left over dough, you can make pint sized or mini pop tarts.

Frosting-

2 Tbs. Melted Butter

1 ½-1 ¾ C. Powder Sugar

2 Tbs. Cream

Melt butter. Mix 1 ½ C. powder sugar with the butter. Measure the cream into a cup. Add a drop or two of red food coloring. Mix into the sugar/butter and stir. Frosting should be thick (but not runny) so it can be easily spread. Add the additional sugar if needed.

Frost cooled pop tarts and sprinkle with decorative sugar.

Package and you are ready to go!

Whether you are jetting off to Paris, escaping to the beach or just a weekend get away, start the journey with a treat, a happy heart and a little sugar on your lips. Nothing can match the excitement of travel and a pop tart in hand better than this, The sweetest new way to travel.