The Ultimate Pop Tart Cookie Cups Recipe: Nostalgic Breakfast Treat

Sweet pop tart cookie cups enhance ordinary breakfast treats into decadent dessert magic.

Craving something nostalgic yet innovative that bridges childhood memories with grown-up cravings?

These delightful confections merge classic pastry comfort with unexpected culinary creativity.

Crispy, flaky pop tart edges meld seamlessly with rich, buttery cookie foundations for a sensational treat.

Soft centers bursting with flavor create an irresistible texture that promises pure indulgence.

Perfectly portioned and surprisingly simple to assemble, these bite-sized delights will become your new favorite crowd-pleasing dessert.

Cookies Meet Pop Tarts in This Fun Dessert

• Burst with Sweet Nostalgia: These Pop Tart Cookie Cups capture the beloved childhood flavors of a classic breakfast treat, transforming them into adorable bite-sized desserts that spark joy and memories.
• Create Effortless Elegance: With a simple one-bowl mixing method and easy piping technique, these cookies deliver impressive results that look professionally crafted without requiring advanced baking skills.
• Enjoy Playful Texture Contrast: Crisp cookie edges meet soft strawberry preserves and creamy icing, creating a delightful sensory experience that combines crunch, smoothness, and fruity sweetness in every single bite.
• Perfect Party-Ready Treats: Compact, colorful, and crowd-pleasing, these mini desserts are ideal for children's parties, brunch gatherings, or casual celebrations where guests want something cute and delicious.

What Goes into These Chewy Cookie Cups

• All-Purpose Flour: A classic baking staple that provides structure to the cookie cups.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookie cups rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookie cups.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and creates a smooth, tender texture in the cookie cups.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a soft, chewy cookie base.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Gives a warm, classic flavor to the cookie cups.

• Strawberry Preserves: Adds a fruity, sweet center to the cookie cups.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet icing for topping.
• Heavy Cream: Helps thin and smooth out the icing for easy piping.
• Rainbow Sprinkles: Adds a fun, colorful decoration to the finished cookie cups.

How to Build and Bake Pop Tart Cookie Cups

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Grab a mini muffin pan and generously coat each cup with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to a toasty 350°F.

Step 2: Create Cookie Base Mixture

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Blend until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla extract, stirring until smooth.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Cups

Using a small cookie scoop, roll dough into bite-sized balls. Nestle each ball into the prepared muffin cups. Gently press the center with a teaspoon to create a cozy little well.

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Step 6: Add Fruity Filling

Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes. Carefully pipe strawberry preserves into each cup’s center.

Step 7: Create Dreamy Icing

Whisk together powdered sugar and heavy cream until silky smooth. Drizzle or pipe icing over cooled cookie cups.

Step 8: Final Decorative Touch

Sprinkle rainbow jimmies over the icing for a playful, festive finish.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Carefully remove cookie cups from the pan. Serve and watch smiles light up!

Tips for Evenly Baked and Filled Cups

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the ideal creamy texture for mixing.
• Create Uniform Cups: Use a small ice cream scoop or melon baller to ensure consistent cookie cup sizes and even baking.
• Press Gently: When forming wells, use the back of a teaspoon with light pressure to avoid cracking the delicate cookie dough.
• Cool Completely: Allow cookies to cool in the pan for exactly 5 minutes before removing to maintain their shape and prevent breaking.
• Pipe Like a Pro: Use a piping bag or zip-lock bag with a corner snipped for neat, professional-looking preserves and icing application.

Store and Reheat Cookie Cups Without a Mess

• Refrigerate: Store cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delightful texture.
• Freeze: Carefully place cooled cookie cups in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 weeks for a make-ahead treat.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed cookie cups in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to restore their soft, delicious consistency.

What Matches Well with These Colorful Cups

• Brew the Perfect Match: Pair these sweet Pop Tart Cookie Cups with a creamy vanilla latte for a delightful breakfast or afternoon treat. The rich, smooth coffee complements the buttery cookie base and fruity strawberry filling.
• Chill and Indulge: Serve these cookie cups alongside cold milk for a classic, nostalgic combination. The cool, refreshing milk balances the sweetness of the preserves and icing, creating a perfect kid-friendly dessert.
• Elevate the Experience: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream next to these cookie cups for an indulgent dessert. The cold, creamy ice cream melts slightly against the warm cookie, creating a heavenly contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Toast with Delight: Enjoy these cookie cups with a glass of sparkling rosé for an adult-friendly dessert pairing. The bubbly, slightly tart wine cuts through the sweetness and adds a sophisticated touch to this playful treat.

New Fillings and Frostings to Try Out

• Berry Blast Cups: Replace strawberry preserves with mixed berry jam for a vibrant, tangy flavor explosion that brings summer to your plate.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Swap strawberry preserves with chocolate spread and top with chocolate shavings for an indulgent chocolate experience.
• Tropical Paradise: Use passion fruit or mango preserves instead of strawberry, then garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a refreshing island-inspired treat.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Fill cookie cups with caramel sauce, sprinkle chopped pecans on top, and drizzle with a light caramel glaze for a rich, nutty version.

Pop Tart Cookie Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent pop tart cookie cups blend nostalgic breakfast treats with classic dessert charm. Chocolate chips and sweet pastry create a playful fusion that delights taste buds and sparks childhood memories you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• ⅓ cup strawberry preserves

Wet Ingredients and Additions:

• 8 tablespoons (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Icing and Decoration:

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) rainbow sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Prepare a mini muffin pan by thoroughly coating each cavity with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Cream together softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie cups.
3. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until completely integrated and the texture becomes uniform.
4. Slowly fold in the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt – mixing gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
5. Portion the dough into small, uniform balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, then carefully place each ball into the prepared muffin tin cavities.
6. Using the back of a rounded teaspoon, gently press down the center of each dough ball to create a well-like indentation for filling.
7. Slide the muffin pan into a preheated oven set at 350°F and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the cookie cups to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, which helps them set and prevents breaking.
9. Delicately fill each cookie cup with strawberry preserves, using a piping bag or small spoon for precision.
10. Allow the filled cups to cool completely for an additional 10 minutes, ensuring the preserves set slightly.
11. Whisk together powdered sugar and heavy cream to create a smooth, glossy icing with a drizzling consistency.
12. Pipe the prepared icing over each cookie cup, creating an elegant finish.
13. Immediately garnish with colorful rainbow sprinkles while the icing is still wet to ensure they adhere properly.
14. Carefully remove the cooled pop tart cookie cups from the muffin pan and transfer to a serving platter.

Notes

• These delightful cookie cups transform classic pop tart flavors into adorable bite-sized treats perfect for parties or sweet afternoon snacks.
• Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Use a small ice cream scoop for uniform cookie sizes, creating consistent and professional-looking mini desserts.
• Allow cookies to cool slightly before adding preserves and icing to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity.
• Rainbow sprinkles add a playful pop of color and festive touch, making these treats visually appealing and fun.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and soft cookie texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 174
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 96 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg