Gooey Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies Recipe

Irresistible Gooey Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies Recipe

Soft, chewy cookies packed with classic pop tart brown sugar filling create an irresistible treat that blends nostalgia and comfort.

These gooey brown sugar pop tart cookies deliver a delightful twist on childhood memories.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweet, buttery flavors that melt in your mouth.

The crumbly cookie base cradles a rich, caramelized brown sugar center that sings with warmth and indulgence.

Crumbling actual pop tarts into the dough adds unexpected texture and depth to every morsel.

Simple ingredients come together quickly to craft these addictive cookies that will disappear from your plate in moments.

Bake a batch and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure delicious excitement.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 12

Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies: Ingredient Lineup

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich foundation that adds creamy texture and deep flavor to the cookies.
  • Brown Sugar: Delivers warm, caramel-like sweetness and helps create soft, chewy texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides balanced sweetness and helps cookies achieve golden edges.

Tips: Choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor control.

For Moisture and Binding:
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and creates structure in the cookie.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with aromatic warmth.

Tip: Use pure vanilla extract for most authentic taste.

For Dry Mixture and Seasoning:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms cookie's fundamental structure and provides tender crumb.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, light texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor notes.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, spicy undertone complementing brown sugar.
  • Crushed Pop-Tarts: Introduces unexpected crunch and nostalgic brown sugar flavor dimension.

Tip: Choose brown sugar Pop-Tarts for most authentic recipe experience.

Gear for Baking Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar until fluffy.
  • Baking sheet: Key for baking cookies with even heat distribution.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements guarantee consistent results.
  • Spatula: Helpful for folding in Pop-Tarts and scraping bowl edges.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.

Making Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies Step-by-Step

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with a cozy parchment paper lining.

  • Create a Creamy Base

Blend butter with sweet brown and white sugars until the mixture becomes light and airy, looking like a fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

  • Add Moisture and Flavor

Introduce an egg and splash of vanilla extract, mixing until everything comes together in perfect harmony.

  • Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, a pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, creating a fragrant powder mixture.

  • Combine Wet and Dry Elements

Slowly merge the dry ingredients into the creamy base, stirring gently until just incorporated – don’t overmix!

  • Crush and Fold

Crush those Brown Sugar Pop-Tarts into delightful chunks and fold them into the cookie dough, ensuring they’re evenly distributed for a surprise in every bite.

  • Scoop and Bake

Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, giving each cookie room to spread. Slide into the preheated oven and bake until edges turn golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.

  • Pop-Tart Perfection Pointers: Break Pop-Tarts into smaller, uniform chunks for even cookie distribution and better texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate up to 3 days before baking for deeper flavor development.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and use certified gluten-free Pop-Tarts for a celiac-safe treat.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternative to create a dairy-free version of these indulgent cookies.
  • Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different Pop-Tart flavors like s'mores, strawberry, or chocolate to create unique cookie variations that surprise and delight taste buds.

Serving Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies with Joy

  • Breakfast Bliss Platter: Arrange cookies alongside fresh strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful morning treat.
  • Dessert Companion: Serve warm cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle caramel sauce for an indulgent after-dinner delight.
  • Party Presentation: Create a cookie tray with different Pop-Tart flavors mixed into the batch, offering guests a playful and colorful snacking experience.
  • Coffee Shop Style: Pair these cookies with a steaming cappuccino or cold brew, perfect for dunking and enjoying a sweet midday break.

Storage Tips to Keep Cookies Fresh

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days, maintaining their delicious texture and freshness.
  • Freezing Finesse: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best taste and texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 24-48 hours before baking. This technique enhances flavor development and allows for convenient preparation.
  • Portion Control Trick: Use a cookie scoop to create uniform sizes, which ensures consistent baking and helps manage serving portions for family and friends.
Print
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Gooey Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies Recipe

Gooey Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Sweet brown sugar pop tart cookies blend nostalgic pastry memories with classic cookie comfort. Buttery crumbles and caramelized sugar create irresistible treats you cannot resist sampling.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts, crushed into small pieces
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and shield a baking sheet with parchment paper to guarantee pristine cookie development.
  2. Sugar Fusion: Whip softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture transforms into a silky, cloud-like emulsion with zero sugar crystals visible.
  3. Liquid Integration: Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, stirring until the components meld into a harmonious, glossy base with seamless consistency.
  4. Dry Ingredient Synchronization: Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together, ensuring a lump-free, evenly distributed seasoning profile.
  5. Dough Composition: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, blending until just combined to preserve the dough’s tender structure.
  6. Pop-Tart Infusion: Crush brown sugar Pop-Tarts into delicate shards, dispersing them throughout the dough to create unexpected bursts of flavor and texture.
  7. Portioning and Placement: Utilize a cookie scoop to deposit uniform dough mounds onto the prepared sheet, spacing them strategically to accommodate natural expansion.
  8. Baking Transformation: Slide the sheet into the preheated oven, allowing cookies to bake for 10-12 minutes until the periphery achieves a golden, crisp finish.
  9. Cooling Protocol: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transition to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal textural development.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry and wet ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender, soft cookie texture without developing tough gluten strands.
  • Crush Pop-Tarts Strategically: Break Pop-Tarts into varied sizes for interesting texture, ensuring some larger chunks remain for delightful surprise bites.
  • Temperature Control Matters: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother blending and more consistent cookie spread during baking.
  • Cooling Technique: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set their structure before transferring, preventing potential crumbling or breaking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 204
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 116mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 29g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 23mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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