Pop-Tarts®

Preparation

• Dough

  • In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until the mixture is smooth. With the mixer on low speed or using a wooden spoon, add the flour mixture, alternating with the water. Shape the dough by hand into two discs.
  • Using a rolling pin, roll each disc between 2 of the pieces of parchment paper until you have 2 thin sheets of dough the same size as the paper. Without removing the paper, place the 2 dough sheets on a large baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Lay the dough sheets on the counter. Peel the paper from the top and prick each dough sheet all over with a fork.
  • Tip: instead of working on the counter (as shown in the photos), you can simplify the process by transferring a dough sheet, paper side down, onto a 30 x 43-cm (12 x 17-inch) baking sheet. If necessary, use a pizza wheel or a knife to straighten the edges.
  • Spread the jam thinly on the dough sheet, leaving a 1-cm (1/2-inch) border. Invert the second dough sheet onto the first. Remove the parchment paper from the top.
  • Seal the edges by pressing the dough with your fingers. Trim off any excess with a pizza wheel or a knife. (The dough rectangle should be the same size as the baking sheet.)
  • Imagine the dough divided into 16 small rectangles (a 4-by-4 grid). Gently trace guidelines on the dough. Press the dough firmly along the guidelines with your thumbs or the sides of your hands. Cut along the lines using a fluted pastry wheel but do not separate the tarts. Prick each tart several times with a fork. (If you’re working on the counter, separate the tarts and transfer them to 1 large or 2 smaller baking sheets lined with parchment paper.) Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
  • Bake until coloured a light gold, about 20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet. Separate the tarts along the guidelines.

• Icing

  • In a bowl, combine the sugar and water. Add food.