Runner Recipes – Homemade Pop Tarts

As runners many of us joke that we run so that we can eat whatever we want, but let’s be honest, it’s true for MANY of us! Just think of the calories we ingest on Sundays after our long runs. Have you ever thought to yourself, “It’s okay to splurge a little and eat this, I ran today”? It’s a concept many of us understand! So, if you’re going to indulge, why not do so by making your own delicious treat? This way, you have control over the ingredients. If you’re a fan of pastries, go for these homemade pop tarts, where the only sugar is in the jam or jelly you add, and the whole wheat flour fills you up so that you can really only eat just one. Or two. Enjoy!

Homemade Pop Tarts: Makes 8

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄4 cup whole-wheat flour, plus extra for rolling out the dough

• 1⁄2 tsp salt

• 1 cup cold, unsalted butter (2 sticks)

• 1⁄2 cup water plus ice

• 1 egg beaten with a splash of water

• 8 tablespoons of your favorite jam or jelly (1 TB for each pop tart)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Put the flour and salt in a food processor with the dough blade and pulse it together briefly.

3. Meanwhile fill a measuring cup with 1⁄2 cup water and add a few ice cubes to it.

4. Take the cold butter straight out of the fridge and cut it into 1⁄2 inch chunks. Sprinkle the pieces of butter on top of the flour in the food processor. Be careful to spread out the butter as opposed to letting it all clump together in one piece.

5. Turn on the food processor and blend until the mixture resembles a crumbly meal. While the food processor is still running add 1⁄3 cup water through the top. Watch the dough come together and add 2 – 3 more teaspoons of water as needed so a dough ball will form. If some of the dough is in a ball and some is stuck to the sides that is okay…you can fix it with your hands. At this point the dough could be stored in the fridge in plastic wrap for up to 3 days or in the freezer (in a freezer safe container) for up to 6 months.

6. Remove the dough from the food processor and put it on a lightly floured counter or large cutting board. With a rolling pin or a cup (and another sprinkling of flour) flatten out the dough to one big rectangle or square that’s no more than a quarter inch thick. Trim any uneven ends and use those to patch other edges as necessary.

7. Using a knife cut out 16 rectangles of dough. Lay half of your dough shapes onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Spoon a tablespoon of jam or jelly down the middle of those bottom dough pieces.

8. Top them with matching dough shapes and seal around the edges by pushing down with a fork. Make a few holes in the top with the fork as well. Lastly, brush the tops of the uncooked pop tarts with the egg wash.

9. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the cooked pastries on a cooling rack and then either eat them right away or store them in the fridge for 3 days or the freezer for several months. They can be eaten cold or reheated. Enjoy!