Pumpkin Pop-Tarts: Eating Gilmore Fall Cooking Challenge Week 1

“The pop-tart tasted like freedom and rebellion and independence”

Ingredients:

For the pop-tarts

• 1 cup pumpkin puree

• ½ cup brown sugar

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ cup chopped pecans

• 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed

• 1 egg, beaten

For the maple icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp heavy cream

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the pumpkin, brown sugar, and all spices until well-combined.

3. Fold in the chopped pecans.

4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the sheets of puff pastry to make two large 12x12-inch squares.

5. Cut each square in half horizontally. Then cut into thirds to create 6 even rectangles for each square. You should end up with a total of 12 rectangles

6. Carefully scoop the pop-tart filling onto 6 of the rectangles, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edge. Use about 1-2 tbsp of filling for each pop-tart.

7. Brush the egg wash along the border of the pop-tarts and place the remaining rectangles on top, using your finger to press along the edges to create a seal.

8. Use a fork to poke a few holes on top to allow ventilation while baking. And use the fork to crimp along the edges of each pop-tart.

9. Brush the remaining egg wash across the top of each pop-tart.

10. Place on a lined baking tray and bake for 30 minutes at 350 F or until golden brown.

11. Allow pop-tarts to cool after baking.

12. While the pop-tarts cool, prepare the icing by combining the powdered sugar, heavy cream, maple syrup, and vanilla in a small mixing bowl.

13. Using a small spatula or knife, spread the icing across the top of the pop-tarts.

14. Optional, top with sprinkles!

I’m so excited to be kicking off my fall Eating Gilmore Cooking Challenge with the first prompt, First Day of Fall Feels.This week is all about the first day of fall! Fall is so emblematic of Gilmore Girls. Many fans begin their annual rewatch of the show around the first day of fall. It’s why I began this project in the fall and why I have a fall leaf as my dedicated Gilmore Girls tattoo. I wanted to kick off this challenge around the first day of fall because it just felt right for Stars Hollow.

While pumpkin pop-tarts aren’t technically mentioned on the show, we all know that pop-tarts are one of the most iconic foods on Gilmore Girls, and it doesn’t get any more fall than pumpkin. And as a special way to kick off this challenge, I filmed a Cook with Me video with A Vintage Joy for her YouTube channel where we baked the pumpkin pop-tarts together and chatted about all things Gilmore Girls. Be sure to visit her channel to watch the whole thing.

If you don’t know about my Eating Gilmore Challenge, be sure to visit my Instagram and check out the pinned post for all the details!

Happy cooking in the Hollow!

We all know Lorelai would love these in the fall!