Homemade Ghost Pop-Tarts (Printable Version)

Jam-filled ghost-shaped pastries with icing, ideal for Halloween. Medium difficulty and fun decoration.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pastry

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
05 - 4 to 5 tablespoons ice water

→ Filling

06 - 1/2 cup fruit jam or preserves such as strawberry, raspberry, or apricot

→ Icing

07 - 1 cup powdered sugar
08 - 2 tablespoons milk
09 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Decoration

10 - Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel for faces

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Incorporate the cold, cubed butter by cutting it into the flour with a pastry blender or using fingertips until a coarse, crumbly texture forms.
02 - While mixing, slowly add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough just holds together. Divide dough, flatten into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
03 - Set oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a ghost-shaped cutter or a knife, cut 16 ghost-shaped pieces.
05 - Arrange 8 shapes on the lined baking sheet. Place 1 tablespoon jam on each, leaving borders clear. Brush edges lightly with water and cover with remaining dough shapes. Seal borders and crimp edges with a fork.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
07 - Blend powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and glossy. Spread evenly over cooled ghost pastries.
08 - Apply mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel to create playful ghost faces. Allow the icing to set before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour so perfect for last-minute celebrations
  • Uses simple pantry staples that most people already have
  • Customizable filling to fit any taste or dietary preference
  • Festive look that brings smiles to every Halloween party table
  • Great for baking with kids since decorating the ghosts is pure fun
02 -
  • Vegetarian friendly and easily made nut free depending on your choice of jam
  • Each pop-tart delivers a comforting blend of sweet and buttery flavors with fun textures
  • Perfect for parties since these store beautifully and stay fresh
  • Ghost faces are always the best part my youngest insists on making silly ones with extra chocolate chips and every Halloween we have a new batch of custom ghost expressions to show off
03 -
  • Let all ingredients stay cold until you start rolling room temperature butter results in tough pastry
  • Take time with the ghost faces since the more expressive the better especially for kids
  • Whisk icing until entirely lump-free for gleaming ghostly white pop-tarts

Go Back