Homemade Pop-Tarts: Toaster Pop-Ups

Wow. Just wow.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this recipe in 'More Make Your Own Groceries', the new cookbook I got at a thrift shop. Eating Pop-Tarts is one of my favorite pasttimes (next to drawing and eating), and I've always wanted to try making my own.
So, I decided to share the recipe! Aren't I just the nicest? ^.^           Below is a diagram to the
                                                                                                           toaster tart's construction.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Vegetable Shortening
2 Eggs
2 1/2 Cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
Choice of Filling: any flavor jam, marmalade,
     preserves, or fruit butter (See Note)
1 Egg White (optional)
Milk, optional
Sugar, optional

Instructions:

   Cream together sugar and shortening, beating until light. Beat in the eggs until creamy, then stir in the flour and baking powder to make a soft dough. Divide the dough evenly into 16 parts. Roll each part into a flattened ball; set the balls on a plate. Wrap the plate in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.

   Grease a cookie sheet and set it aside. Roll one dough ball into a vaguely rectangular shape, about 1/16-inch thick. Spread 1 heaping teaspoon of filling evenly over dough, as pictured on the diagram above, leaving a generous margin. Roll out another dough ball into a similar shape and lay it neatly over the first. Use a knife to trim the filled Pop-Up tart to 3 1/2 by 5 inches, then crimp the edges together with your fingertips or the tines of a fork. Place the tart on the cookie sheet, then prick the top of the crust with a fork. Repeat this procedure with the remaining dough balls and any trimmed-off dough.

Optional: Lightly beat an egg white with with one tablespoon milk; brush the tops with the mixture for golden crust, and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake the tarts at 350 degrees (F) for about 25 minutes, or until the edges have become browned. Prick the Pop-Up Tarts again during the first 10 minutes of baking to keep them flat. When cool, wrap and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

To Serve: Place a tart in the toaster and toast once. Let cool slightly before removing as it will get very hot.

Note: The fillings are endless. You can fill with chocolate sauce, or make my favorite Pop-Tart flavor (Maple-Cinnamon Sugar) by making a cinnamon sugar mixture and using that as the filling. You can also spread a glaze or icing atop the tarts to give it a more 'Pop Tart' feel.

           Homemade Pop-Tart                                                                                    Real Pop-Tart