Cookies and Cream Pop Tarts

These tarts are a rich chocolaty pastry with a cream filling, topped off with a vanilla glaze and 'cookies and cream' cookies. YUM! The actual pastry is gluten-free and very crumbly. These "pop tarts" are surprisingly easy to make, and if you served them at a party or event, everyone will be very surprised with you as they look incredible (and taste delicious!).

COOKIES AND CREAM POP TARTS [VEGAN]

INGREDIENTS

TO MAKE THE PASTRY:

• 6 1/2 cups plain flour of choice
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/3 cups dairy-free butter
• 1 2/3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup icing sugar

TO MAKE THE FILLING:

• 3 tablespoons of dairy-free milk 
• 2 tablespoons of dairy-free butter
• 2 teaspoons of strong vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups of icing sugar
• 1/2 cup of cornstarch
• 1/2 cup of sandwich cookies (Crushed)

TO MAKE THE GLAZE:

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Dairy-free milk 

PREPARATION

TO MAKE THE PASTRY:

1. In a food processor/stand mixer add the flour, cocoa powder, butter, water, vanilla extract, sugar, and mix until combined.
2. Place the dough into plastic wrap and pop into the fridge for an hour to chill and firm up.
3. Pre-heat your oven to 400°F and line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.
4. Flour your work top and roll out the dough until around 1/4-inch thick and use a knife or pizza cutter to cut out pop tart squares.
5. Place the individual squares onto the lined baking tray and brush some dairy-free milk over half of the the cut pastry square edges.

TO MAKE THE FILLING:

1. Place the milk and butter into a stand mixer or mixing bowl and mix up until smooth.
2. Add in the vanilla extract, icing sugar, cornstarch, cookies, and mix until combined.
3. Place a tablespoon of the cream filling in the center of each square, leaving around 1/4-inch to seal the edges with milk, then top off with another pastry square.
4. Press the edges firmly together with a fork and prick the tops of the pop tarts for ventilation while baking. Make sure they are sealed or they will burst/leak when baking. Repeat for all of the tarts.
5. Pop the pastries into the oven and bake for around 15-18 minutes until fully baked.
6. Once baked, place the pop tarts onto a cooling rack and allow to cool fully before frosting.

 To Make the Glaze:

1. Place the icing sugar into a bowl and add enough vanilla and dairy-free milk to form a thick paste.
2. Spread some of the thick glaze over each cooled tart and top with crumbled cookies.
3. You could even use sprinkles (just make sure they are vegan).

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/cookies-and-cream-pop-tarts/?utm_source=Green+Monster+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=8f356634d4-NEWSLETTER_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bbf62ddf34-8f356634d4-106919241