Blog by Laura Hearn, CNE in The Clear Skin Solution + Recipe by Katie Stewart, RHN & Laura Hearn, CNE

Remember those mornings when the mere thought of a warm, frosted Pop Tart would tingle your taste buds and fill your kitchen with that sweet aroma? These nostalgic treats have been a staple of many childhoods, evoking memories of lazy weekend mornings and after-school snacks. 

This week, headlines buzzed with the heartwarming news that Taylor Swift had charmed the Kansas City Chiefs with her homemade rendition of this beloved classic. It’s a delightful reminder that even amidst the glitz and glamour of celebrity life, the simple joy of baking can bring people together.

While Swift’s recipe remains shrouded in mystery, we wanted to offer our healthy twist on this cherished snack, made with ingredients specifically chosen for its skin-loving properties.

Skin-Loving Ingredients

Almond Flour

Rich in protein and healthy fats, almond flour provides sustained energy and helps support balanced blood sugar – a key focus for our clients in The Clear Skin Solution. Additionally, almonds contain vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and UV radiation, promoting overall skin health.

Raspberries

Raspberries are packed with antioxidants, including vitamin C and ellagic acid, which help combat inflammation in the body, support collagen production, enhance skin elasticity, and promote a more youthful complexion. The vibrant red hue of raspberries is due to their high anthocyanin content, which helps reduce inflammation and may soothe irritated skin. Bonus? They’re a great source of gut-loving fibre.

Chia Seeds

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, they help maintain the skin’s lipid barrier, keeping it hydrated and supple. Additionally, chia seeds are loaded with fibre, promoting healthy digestion and detoxification.

Coconut Manna

Also known as coconut butter, it’s made from whole coconut flesh, providing a creamy texture and tropical sweetness while supporting digestion with its high fibre content. Coconut butter is rich in lauric acid, a fatty acid with antimicrobial properties linked to improved cholesterol levels and heart health. It also contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that can help improve gut health by combating harmful bacteria.

More Nostalgic Sweet Treats

• Carrot Cake
• Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
• Coconut Lemon Squares
• Candied Pecans
• Healthy Gummy Bears
• Healthy Homemade Chocolate Bar
• Healthy Rice Crispy Squares
• Peach Cobbler
• Pecan Pie
• Salted Caramel Turtle Bras
• Vanilla Donuts

Mini Raspberry Pop Tarts

These nostalgic Mini Raspberry Pop Tarts are bursting with flavour. A yummy acne-friendly treat free from gluten, dairy & refined sugar.

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Ingredients

Raspberry Filling:

• 3 cups frozen raspberries
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• ¼ cup raw honey or maple syrup

Pastry Crust:

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1 ½ cups arrowroot starch (plus more for rolling)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• ⅓ cup water
• ⅓ cup coconut oil (cold)
• ½ tsp vanilla
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 egg (whisked)

Frosting:

• ½ cup coconut butter (aka coconut manna)
• ¼ cup coconut milk (plus more if needed)
• ½ tbsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Naturally dyed sprinkles (optional - see notes)

Instructions

Make the filling:

• Bring the raspberries and honey to a simmer in a small pot over medium heat.
• Add chia seeds and mix well.
• Cook down to your desired consistency - about 10 minutes. Mash the raspberries down with a spoon while cooking.
• Remove from heat and cool.

Make the Pastry:

• In a food processor, pulse all ingredients except the egg to create thick crumbs, then add in the egg, pulsing until a dough forms.
• Remove the dough (it will be sticky) from the food processor and divide into two equal parts. Wrap each dough ball in plastic wrap and flatten it, then chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes or overnight.
• Sprinkle a generous amount of arrowroot starch onto a large parchment paper. Place one of the dough portions onto the parchment paper and sprinkle with more arrowroot starch.
• Roll out the dough, starting from the center and moving outward, into an approx. 9 x 12 “ rectangle 1/4” thick. The dough will be sticky; however, you can add additional arrowroot to roll it out after chilling.
• After rolling out the dough, use a rectangular cookie or a pizza cutter to make rectangles. (Size can be 3” x 4” or minis 2.5”x 3.5”)
• Carefully transfer the pieces onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper using a thin spatula.
• Roll out the remaining portion of dough and repeat the steps of rolling and cutting out rectangles.

Assemble the Pastries:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F and place the oven rack in the top half of your oven.
• Spoon 1 - 1.5 Tbsp of the jam onto the center of the first rectangles, spreading out gently, leaving a 1/2” border around the edges. (use a smaller amount - 1.5 tsp if making minis).
• Carefully place a rectangle from the second dough portion over each jam-covered portion. Using a fork, lightly seal the edges, and prick the top of the dough once with the fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
• Bake for 20-22 minutes or until just beginning to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
• While pop tarts are baking, make the frosting.

Make the Frosting:

• Combine the coconut butter, honey, coconut milk, vanilla, salt, and milk in a small saucepan.
• Place over low heat and whisk constantly until the icing is smooth. Add more coconut milk, 1 Tbsp at a time (if needed), to obtain a spreadable consistency.
• Allow the frosting to cool.
• Spread over cooled pop tarts and top with sprinkles if desired.

Notes

• For styling food purposes, we used Watkins Rainbow Decorating Sprinkles made with natural colourings. These contain sugar and cornstarch, so omit them from the recipe if you are avoiding these ingredients. In place, you could try crumbling freeze-dried raspberries.
• If the dough softens at any point during the pastry-making process, place the portion back in the fridge to cool for a few minutes.