How to Make Delicious Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies at Home

If you’re a fan of nostalgic treats with a modern twist, then you’re going to fall head over heels for these brown sugar pop tart cookies. Imagine the buttery, flaky flavor of your favorite childhood Pop-Tarts packed into a soft, chewy cookie—yes, it’s as magical as it sounds. Keep reading to discover how this sweet mash-up is taking dessert lovers by storm!

Description

Imagine biting into a soft, bakery-style cookie that tastes like your favorite childhood toaster pastry. Brown sugar pop tart cookies combine the warm, nostalgic flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar with the gooey butteriness of a freshly baked cookie. Each bite is filled with molasses-rich sweetness, a hint of vanilla, and delightful pockets of cinnamon-spiced brown sugar filling. Topped with a creamy glaze and a light dusting of cinnamon, these cookies are a bakery treat disguised as a homemade comfort food.

These cookies bring all the cozy feels. Whether you remember peeling open a foil-wrapped toaster pastry on a school morning or treating yourself after dinner, the flavor of a brown sugar cinnamon pop tart is unmistakable. Now, that flavor is baked into a chewy-on-the-inside, lightly crisp-on-the-edges cookie, making it the perfect dessert fusion. Served warm or room temperature, brown sugar pop tart cookies are the sweet embodiment of nostalgia and comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are easy to make with pantry staples and are packed with rich, warming flavors that make them feel like a specialty bake. What sets them apart is their dual texture — soft, chewy cookie dough paired with a buttery spiced filling and a delicate glaze. Plus, they are perfect for both everyday snacking and holiday gatherings.

Flexible and freezer-friendly, this recipe is ideal for gatherings, gifting, or making ahead to satisfy sweet cravings any time. You can even customize the filling or tweak the spices to suit your flavor preferences. Whether you are a cinnamon lover or a cookie enthusiast, this recipe is designed to impress with both flavor and nostalgia.

Serving and Storage Tips

Brown sugar pop tart cookies are best served slightly warm or at room temperature. To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

They can also be refrigerated in an airtight container to extend freshness for up to 1 week. If you prefer to bake ahead, freeze the unglazed cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Simply thaw and reheat briefly in the microwave or oven before glazing.

For the best texture, glaze the cookies after they have fully cooled, especially if storing or freezing for later.

Course, Cuisine, Keywords

Dessert, American, Cookies, Brown Sugar, Pop Tart, Cinnamon, Nostalgic, Homemade

Servings, Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Serving Size

Servings: 18 cookies
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serving Size: 1 cookie

Ingredients

For the cookie dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 and one fourth cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Half teaspoon salt

For the filling:

• Half cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 and one half teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Half teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of ground cinnamon

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Small whisk
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. Cream the butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl, use your mixer to beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This step makes the cookie base nice and tender.
3. Add egg and vanilla. Mix in the egg and vanilla until well blended. The dough should be creamy and smooth at this stage.
4. Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Avoid over-mixing.
5. Make the filling. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter. Mix until you have a sandy, spreadable filling. This is what gives the cookie that nostalgic pop tart flavor.
6. Shape the cookies. Scoop about two tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your hand. Add a teaspoon of filling to the center. Fold the dough over the filling and roll gently into a ball, sealing in the good stuff. Repeat with remaining dough.
7. Arrange and bake. Place the stuffed dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets about two inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the cookies are puffed. Let them sit on the tray for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Glaze and enjoy. When cookies are fully cooled, whisk together the glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over the tops and let the glaze set for at least 10 minutes before serving. The cookies are lovely warm or room temperature.

Nutrition per serving

For a deeper flavor, try substituting dark brown sugar in the cookie dough or filling. If you prefer a thinner glaze, add an extra teaspoon of milk. You can also freeze unbaked stuffed cookie dough for up to 2 months and bake directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the bake time. Glaze only after baking and cooling fully. These cookies are perfect for making ahead of time for celebrations or cookie exchanges.

FAQ

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