Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pockets

Featured in: Sweet Afternoon Fix

These puff pastry pockets combine a flaky, golden crust with a warmly spiced gingerbread filling, blending flavors of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Perfectly baked until golden and topped optionally with powdered sugar and chocolate chip faces, they offer a whimsical treat ideal for chilly mornings or holiday celebrations. Preparation involves creaming butter and brown sugar, mixing spices into flour, then encasing the filling in puff pastry squares before baking. Suitable for vegetarians and easily adapted for vegan preferences.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:38:00 GMT
Golden-brown Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, perfectly baked and ready to enjoy with a dusting of sugar. Save
Golden-brown Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, perfectly baked and ready to enjoy with a dusting of sugar. | collationspot.com

Flaky puff pastry envelopes a warmly spiced gingerbread filling, creating a whimsical, cozy treat perfect for holiday mornings or festive dessert tables.

This recipe has become a holiday favorite in my home, always bringing warmth and smiles to the table.

Ingredients

  • For the Gingerbread Filling: 120 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened 100 g (1/2 cup) dark brown sugar 80 g (1/4 cup) molasses 1 large egg yolk 180 g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour 2 tsp ground ginger 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt
  • For the Puff Pastry: 2 sheets (about 500 g) ready-rolled puff pastry, chilled 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • For Decoration (Optional): 2 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting) 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips or icing (for faces)

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses and egg yolk.
Step 3:
In another bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4:
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until a soft gingerbread dough forms. Set aside.
Step 5:
Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 4 equal rectangles (8 total).
Step 6:
Place a heaping tablespoon of gingerbread dough in the center of each rectangle. Fold the pastry over to create a pocket, pinching the edges to seal (use a fork for a decorative edge).
Step 7:
Arrange the pockets on the prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg.
Step 8:
Bake for 16–18 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
Step 9:
Cool slightly. If desired, dust with powdered sugar and use chocolate chips or icing to make sleeping faces on each pocket.
Step 10:
Serve warm or at room temperature.
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This dish always creates cherished moments around the family table during the holidays.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls Electric mixer or wooden spoon Baking sheet Parchment paper Pastry brush Fork

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy Check pastry and chocolate chips for traces of nuts or soy as applicable

Nutritional Information

Calories: 310 Total Fat: 17 g Carbohydrates: 37 g Protein: 3 g

Imagine warm, spiced Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, crisp outside with a delightful, cozy filling inside. Save
Imagine warm, spiced Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, crisp outside with a delightful, cozy filling inside. | collationspot.com

Enjoy these delightful pockets warm fresh from the oven for the best experience.

Recipe Help

How do I ensure the puff pastry stays flaky?

Keep the pastry cold before baking and avoid overhandling it. Chill the assembled pockets briefly if needed to maintain layers.

Can I prepare the filling in advance?

Yes, the spiced gingerbread filling can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

What spices are used in the filling?

The filling includes ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, along with baking soda and salt for balance.

How do I achieve the decorative edges on the pockets?

Seal the pastry edges by pinching them with a fork, creating a textured border that also helps prevent filling leakage.

Are there vegan alternatives for this dish?

Yes, use plant-based butter, an egg replacer, and vegan puff pastry to adapt this treat for vegan diets.

Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pockets

Flaky puff pastry envelops warmly spiced gingerbread filling for a cozy, festive treat ideal for celebrations.

Prep Time
25 min
Time to Cook
18 min
Overall Time
43 min
Created by Chloe Martin


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type European

Makes 8 Portions

Special Diets Vegetarian

What You’ll Need

Gingerbread Filling

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
03 1/4 cup molasses
04 1 large egg yolk
05 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
06 2 teaspoons ground ginger
07 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
09 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
11 1/4 teaspoon salt

Puff Pastry

01 2 sheets ready-rolled puff pastry, chilled (approx. 17.6 oz)
02 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Decoration (Optional)

01 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)
02 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips or icing (for faces)

How-To

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Prepare Gingerbread Filling: Cream together softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy; stir in molasses and egg yolk until fully combined.

Step 03

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk all-purpose flour with ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.

Step 04

Form Gingerbread Dough: Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms; set aside.

Step 05

Prepare Puff Pastry Rectangles: Lightly flour a surface and roll out puff pastry sheets; cut each sheet into four equal rectangles, yielding eight pieces.

Step 06

Assemble Pockets: Place a heaping tablespoon of gingerbread dough onto the center of each puff pastry rectangle; fold over to create pockets and seal edges firmly, using a fork to press decoratively.

Step 07

Apply Egg Wash: Arrange pockets on the prepared sheet and brush their tops evenly with beaten egg.

Step 08

Bake Pockets: Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes until puffed and golden brown.

Step 09

Cool and Decorate: Allow pockets to cool slightly; if desired, dust with powdered sugar and decorate with mini chocolate chips or icing to resemble sleeping faces.

Step 10

Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature for optimal flavor.

Gear Needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or wooden spoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Pastry brush
  • Fork

Allergy Details

Review every item for allergens and connect with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy.
  • Verify puff pastry and chocolate chips for potential nut or soy traces.

Nutrition Breakdown (each serving)

Info for reference only—don’t take this as expert medical guidance.
  • Caloric Value: 310
  • Lipids: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Proteins: 3 g