Flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around a warmly spiced pumpkin pie filling and finished with a cozy maple glaze — these homemade Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts are the perfect hand-held treat for fall. Whether I’m baking for a weekend brunch, prepping a festive snack for the kids, or simply craving a slice of pumpkin pie in a fun new form, these pop tarts hit the spot every time.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the dough:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
⅓ to ½ cup ice water
For the pumpkin filling:
¾ cup canned pumpkin puree
¼ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of cloves
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For assembly:
1 egg (for egg wash)
1 tablespoon water
For the maple glaze:
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Dash of cinnamon
Directions
I start by whisking together the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Then, I cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
I add ice water a tablespoon at a time, just until the dough comes together. Once it does, I divide it in half, form two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill them for 30 minutes.
While the dough chills, I mix up the pumpkin filling by combining the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, spices, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth.
I preheat my oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a floured surface, I roll one disc of dough to about ⅛-inch thick and cut it into 3x4-inch rectangles. I repeat this with the second disc.
I place half of the dough rectangles on the baking sheet, then spoon about 1 tablespoon of pumpkin filling onto each.
For the egg wash, I whisk the egg with water and brush it along the edges of the filled rectangles.
I place the remaining dough rectangles on top, sealing the edges with a fork and poking holes in the top for steam to escape.
I brush the tops with more egg wash and bake for 22–25 minutes, until golden brown. Then I let them cool completely.
For the glaze, I whisk the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and cinnamon until smooth. I drizzle it over the cooled pop tarts and let it set.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 8 pop tarts.
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories per serving: 310 kcal
Variations
I sometimes swap the pumpkin filling for apple butter or spiced pear puree for a fruity twist.
For a crunchier top, I sprinkle a little turbinado sugar over the egg-washed pastry before baking.
If I want a sweeter pastry, I add a tablespoon of honey to the dough.
I’ve also made a cream cheese glaze instead of maple, which adds a tangy contrast to the spiced filling.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftover pop tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To reheat, I pop them in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5–7 minutes, just until warmed through. I avoid microwaving them, as it tends to make the crust soggy.
FAQs
Can I make these pop tarts ahead of time?
Yes, I often make the dough and filling a day in advance and store them in the fridge. Assembled, unbaked pop tarts can also be frozen and baked straight from the freezer with a few extra minutes of baking time.
Can I use store-bought pie dough instead?
I’ve used store-bought dough in a pinch, and it works fine, though the homemade version is flakier and more flavorful.
Can I freeze these after baking?
Absolutely. Once they’re fully cooled and glazed, I freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to a month. I reheat directly from frozen in the oven.
How do I prevent the filling from leaking?
I make sure not to overfill the pastries and always seal the edges well with a fork. The egg wash helps the two dough layers stick together firmly.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, I’ve made these with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The texture is slightly different but still delicious. I recommend adding a bit more liquid, as gluten-free flour tends to be more absorbent.
Conclusion
These Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts combine everything I love about fall baking into one hand-held treat. The buttery pastry, the rich pumpkin spice filling, and that irresistible maple glaze make each bite feel like a warm hug. Whether it’s for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a fun Thanksgiving dessert, I keep coming back to this recipe every autumn.
Recipe:
Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts
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- Author: Cheryl
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 pop tarts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Flaky, buttery pastry filled with spiced pumpkin puree and topped with a maple glaze. These homemade Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts are a cozy, handheld fall treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
⅓ to ½ cup ice water
¾ cup canned pumpkin puree
¼ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of cloves
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg (for egg wash)
1 tablespoon water
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Dash of cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water a tablespoon at a time until the dough just comes together. Divide into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out one disc of dough on a floured surface to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into 3x4-inch rectangles. Repeat with the second disc.
- Place half of the rectangles on the baking sheet. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of pumpkin filling onto each.
- Whisk the egg with water to make the egg wash. Brush the edges of the filled rectangles with the egg wash.
- Top with the remaining dough rectangles. Press edges with a fork to seal and poke holes on top to vent steam.
- Brush tops with egg wash and bake for 22–25 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool completely.
- Whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle over cooled pop tarts and let glaze set before serving.
Notes
For a fruity twist, substitute pumpkin filling with apple butter or spiced pear puree.
Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top before baking for added crunch.
Add honey to the dough for a sweeter pastry.
Try a cream cheese glaze instead of maple for tangy contrast.
Store at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To reheat, use oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes; avoid microwaving.
Unbaked pop tarts can be frozen and baked directly from frozen with extra bake time.
Gluten-free flour works with slight texture change and added liquid.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pop tart
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
