Strawberry Açai Pop Tarts

If you’re feeling nostalgic, these Strawberry Açai Pop Tarts will be the perfect fix! They taste just as delicious as I remember Pop-Tarts being as a kid… maybe even better. They are sweet but not overpoweringly sweet like regular Pop-Tarts are. And they get their gorgeous colour from ripe strawberries and açai powder! Even though this recipe has a lot of steps, it is very easy and quick to make!

Method

For the dough:
1. In a bowl, combine the salt and flour. Slowly incorporate the butter (small pieces at a time). Using a pastry cutter, blend together (the mixture should look crumbly).

2. Next, slowly add the ice water to the crumbly mixture until it forms a ball. Place the dough ball in saran wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

3. While the dough is chilling is a good time to prepare the filling and preheat the oven to 350 °F.

4. After 30 minutes, divide the dough ball into 4 quarters and work with one quarter at a time.

5. Roll the dough out to approx. ⅛ inch.

6. Use a knife or pastry cutting wheel and cut out 4 rectangles 3x5 inches (you can use an index card for reference). From each quarter dough, you should make 4 rectangles; index card-sized rectangles (enough for two pop tarts).

7. Lay flat your cutout pastry rectangles and spoon the filling onto two of them (only in the middle of your pastry shape, leaving the sides empty).

8. Place the remaining two cutouts on top. Use a fork to crimp the edges together to keep the filling inside when baking.

9. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until slightly brown underneath. Let fully cool before adding the icing.

For the filling:
1. Add the strawberries, açai powder, and sugar together in a pot, mash, and begin to cook on the stove. You will notice it will become quite runny.

2. Add the cornstarch to thicken it up (adding a tsp at a time and whisk thoroughly). Wait until it comes to a boil and check the thickness before adding more cornstarch. *Remember to whisk every time more cornstarch is added.

3. Let cool completely before adding to each pop tart.

For the icing:
1. Mix together the açai powder, powdered sugar, and non-dairy milk until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk, 1 tsp at a time.

Notes

• Make sure the butter is chilled/has been in the fridge and not sitting out.
• The water is very cold. I put mine in the freezer prior to baking.
• The flour can also be put in the fridge for 20 minutes (but not mandatory).

By Christa Maria
Writer at RAW Nutritional