Homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts using pie crust

Name: Homemade Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 9-inch pie crusts (storebought); 1 tbsp butter (melted); 1/2 cup dark brown sugar; 2 tbsp flour; 2 tbsp cinnamon; 1-2 tbsp butter (melted, for filling); 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon (for icing); 1 tbsp warm water

Author: Emily

Published: 28 August 2025

Updated: 6 January 2026

why make this recipe

I love simple comfort food. These pop tarts bake fast. They fill the house with warm cinnamon and brown sugar. They feel a little indulgent. They also use pantry basics and storebought pie crust. If you like quick cinnamon bites, try making cinnamon sugar donut holes another morning for a treat.

how to make Homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts using pie crust

Ingredients:
2 9 inch pie crusts (storebought is great!), 1 tbsp butter (melted), 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, 2 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp cinnamon (this is a heavy amount of cinnamon. If you like a lighter cinnamon taste, reduce to 1 tbsp.), 1-2 tbsp butter (melted. Filling should be slightly like coarse mildy damp sand.), 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon ( cinnamon should make icing light brown), 1 tbsp warm water

Homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts using pie crust

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl. Stir until the mix looks like slightly damp sand. Add more melted butter if your brown sugar is dry.
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Place one 9" pie crust on the sheet.
Brush 1 tablespoon melted butter over the crust.
Pile the filling on top. Leave a 1" border around the edge. Press the filling gently but firmly into the dough.
Lay the second crust directly on top. Press the edges together. Crimp with a fork to seal.
Bake 20–25 minutes until golden. Rotate the pan after 10 minutes if your oven browns unevenly.
Cool the pastry for 1 hour before frosting and slicing.
For the cinnamon glaze, whisk powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tbsp warm water until smooth. Drizzle over cooled tarts.

I like to think of this filling like the same cinnamon-sweet idea in my sourdough discard churro bites. It has that cozy, spiced-sugar feel.

how to serve Homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts using pie crust

Serve warm or at room temperature. Slice into wedges or cut into rectangles for a classic pop tart shape. They pair well with coffee or milk. For a brunch spread, I often add soft pretzels or something salty to balance the sweet, like the cinnamon sugar pretzel bites I make sometimes. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream is lovely too.

how to store Homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts using pie crust

Let the tarts cool completely before storing. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes to refresh the crust. You can also freeze slices wrapped tightly for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and warm before serving.

tips to make Homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts using pie crust

Work with chilled pie crust. It holds shape better when cold. Don’t overfill. Leave a clear 1" border for sealing. If your brown sugar feels hard, add an extra tablespoon of melted butter to get the right texture. Use a fork to press edges so the filling stays put. If you want extra crunch, toast the cut edges very briefly under the broiler while watching closely. For more crisp-sweet snack ideas to enjoy alongside these, check out my cinnamon sugar crisps.

variation (if any)

Make mini pop tarts by cutting the crusts into smaller rounds or rectangles. Swap the brown sugar for light brown sugar for a milder molasses note. Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the filling for warmth. For a richer twist, stir a tablespoon of cream cheese into the glaze. You can also fold in some chopped nuts for texture, inspired by the twist on knots I sometimes bake in the kitchen like my cinnamon sugar knots.

Homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts using pie crust

FAQs

Q: Can I use homemade pie crust?
A: Yes. Homemade crust works well. Chill it before filling so it doesn’t tear.

Q: My filling dried out. How do I fix it?
A: Stir in a little more melted butter, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a damp-sand texture.

Q: Can I freeze these pop tarts?
A: Yes. Wrap slices tightly and freeze up to one month. Thaw and warm before serving for best texture.

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