Description
Sweet nostalgia meets gourmet delight in this brown sugar cinnamon pop tart shortbread, blending childhood memories with sophisticated flavor. Crumbly, buttery layers meld with classic pop tart essence, offering a delectable journey through comforting textures and warmth you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Filling and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Seasoning Ingredient:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring edges are fully covered for easy removal.
- Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes pale and airy.
- Sift flour and salt together, then gradually fold into the butter mixture until a crumbly, cohesive dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, pressing the first half firmly and evenly into the prepared pan’s base.
- Combine brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter in a separate bowl to create a rich, fragrant filling.
- Carefully spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture across the first dough layer, ensuring an even distribution.
- Gently crumble the remaining dough over the filling, lightly pressing to create a rustic, textured top layer.
- Transfer the pan to a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until edges turn golden and center appears set.
- Remove from oven and allow the shortbread to cool completely at room temperature.
- Whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract to create a smooth, glossy icing.
- Drizzle the icing decoratively over the cooled shortbread, allowing it to set for a few minutes before slicing into squares.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to maintain the same texture and taste.
- Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before pressing into the pan to prevent sticking and ensure a more compact base.
- Add extra warmth by sprinkling ground nutmeg or cardamom into the cinnamon filling for a more complex flavor profile.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better dough consistency, which helps create a more tender shortbread texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg