Homemade Pop Tarts

February 17, 2023

 


The classic kid breakfast, good ole' pop tarts.
Loaded with some many interesting ingredients but never thought twice about ;)

Lets just say I almost bailed on this recipe before they were even made. However, Jack came in strong by believing in me and so I baked them up for Valentine's day dessert. They may have been not the most glamorous or perfectly put together pop tarts, but they delivered in taste.

Homemade dough can be tricky. I kid you not Jack suggested I pray over my dough because it was going south fast when I was rolling it out. Flake city. Lots of cracks. Lots of "oh no's". 

The recipe is a fun one for celebratory days like Valentine's or a special birthday brunch. I mean anything homemade cannot be topped. 

So shout out to the MVP, the white icing, that covered those said cracks and flakes. You made it look beautiful and tasty.



Strawberry Pop Tarts

Recipe adapted from King Arthur Baking

Crust
2 cups Flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
16 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into pats
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk

Filling
Combine 3/4 cup jam 
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water

Frosting 
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
pinch of salt
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons milk
sprinkles for garnish

1. To make the dough: Whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Work in the butter until the mixture holds together when you squeeze it, with pea-sized lumps of butter still visible. Mix the egg and milk, and add it to the dough, mixing just until everything is combined.

Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into roughly 3" x 5" rectangle, smoothing the edges. Wrap in plastic or waxed paper, and refrigerate for 30 minutes; this will relax the gluten and firm up the dough a bit, making it easier to roll. Let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature before you roll it out.

2. To make the filling: Combine 3/4 cup (8 ounces) jam with 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer, stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, and set aside to cool. Use to fill the pastry tarts.

3. To assemble the tarts: Place one piece of the dough on a generously floured work surface, and roll it into a rectangle about 1/8" thick, large enough that you can trim it to an even 9" x 12". Trim off the edges; place the the 9" x 12" rectangle of dough on a baking sheet.

Roll the second piece of dough just as you did the first. Press the edge of a ruler into the dough you've just rolled, to gently score it in thirds lengthwise and width-wise; you'll see nine 3" x 4" rectangles.

Beat the egg, and brush it over the entire surface of the dough you cut. Place a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center of each marked rectangle. Place the first piece of dough atop the jelly lined one, using your fingertips to press firmly around each pocket of filling, sealing the dough well on all sides.

Press the fork edges all around the sides of the rectangle. Cut the dough evenly in between the filling mounds to make nine tarts. Press the cut edges with your fingers to seal, then press with a fork to seal again.

Gently place the tarts on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Prick the top of each tart multiple times with a fork; you want to make sure steam can escape, or the tarts will become billowy pillows rather than flat toaster pastries. Refrigerate them, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Remove the tarts from the fridge and bake them for 30 to 35 minutes, until they're a light golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and allow them to cool on the pan. Enjoy!
read article

Disney World Part 2

February 7, 2023

Animal kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot… oh my! We covered a lot of ground during our trip. Four days left of vacation covered in one post? 
Yep, I'm going for it. 

And if you make it to the end I applaud you and leave you with a special treasure I created from this vacation. Eeep!


Another park another bus ride. Such a wonderful perk for staying on property. 


Aunt B delivering with enroute entertainment! The boys loved taking photos with Disney's photo filters. Sweet, silly giggles. 



Here to say not every photo was picture perfect. ;) Boys be boys. Kids be kids. 



Kids be kids take two ;)



Disney's Santa. The most magical one of all, right? He was very much jolly and told a funny story before the kids met him. Peter asked him for chocolate milk. And yes, Santa delivered chocolate milk on Christmas morning. #memories



As much as I loved the memories made at the parks, these slow moments (morning cuddles, playing pirates at the pool, and walking in to see the kids sleeping on top of each other) will live rent free in my heart. 


  



Mickey Bars before lunch? Yes & amen. Vacation.. am I right? 


  


We had the BEST lunch (actually my most favorite meal) at the Tusker house. The characters were SO sweet with us. Yes even us adults. Donald had us rolling. He's a funny one. Couldn't say enough good things about this experience. 


 


I told Daisy Jack surprised us when he met her last time as a two-year-old and gave her a kiss. She "blushed" and wrapped her arms around Jack and gave him a smooch right back. My mama heart melted. 



Next stop: Hollywood Studios! The cutest, vintage Christmas decorations I ever did see.


  



Slinky dog dash- what a ride! This was Peter's first rollercoaster and he even put his hands up mid-ride. Thanks to genie+ this was the only ride we had to wait for, and it was well worth the wait (and the toddler meltdown that ensued during said line). All for the memories.. there's a theme here somewhere. ;) 



Hello, Epcot. I think you might be my favorite. We had so much fun at this park. I'm not sure if it was the characters we met, or the most epic ride we rode, Guardian's Cosmic Rewind, or the yummy drinks we had. But boy I loved this day. 



  



  


We closed out our last day at Magic Kingdom by kicking off the morning at Chef Mickeys. Mickey pancakes are a staple in our home. 



  



  


Peter meeting Peter. The moment I did not know I needed until it happened. His facial expressions while meeting him were hilarious. He was so star struck, and Peter Pan was so chipper and engaging. It was darling.


  


Mmm, what a vacation. The boys wanted to know when we'd return again, and in that moment my heart wanted to freeze time because the truth is if we do return it wont be until they're older (like maybe teenage boys older) and that just is really tender. 


Oh time. So, so grateful for these captured moments. 

Speaking of treasured moments... here is our Disney World vacay video!! 



Way to be for making it to the end of all. the. photos. I promise this video is every bit as sweet and hilarious and fun to watch. Enjoy. XO


read article
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Telling stories through squares over at @courtneylnowicki

© courtney nowicki.
Theme by Eve.