Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pockets

Featured in: Sweet & Salty Treats

Experience the comforting blend of warmly spiced gingerbread nestled within light, flaky puff pastry pockets. These charming pockets combine ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to create a richly flavorful filling, wrapped in buttery layers that bake golden and tender. Perfect for holiday mornings or dessert spreads, they offer delightful sweetness balanced by molasses and brown sugar. Optional touches like powdered sugar dusting and chocolate chip faces make these treats whimsical and inviting. Serve warm for the ultimate cozy indulgence.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT
Warm, golden-brown Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, sweet and spiced, perfect for a cozy afternoon snack. Save
Warm, golden-brown Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, sweet and spiced, perfect for a cozy afternoon snack. | williesnack.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 with my family who love the spicy gingerbread wrapped in flaky pastry.

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

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream Butter And Sugar:
In a medium bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses and egg yolk.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
Form Dough:
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until a soft gingerbread dough forms. Set aside.
Prepare Pastry:
Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 4 equal rectangles (8 total).
Assemble Pockets:
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).
Arrange And Brush:
Arrange the pockets on the prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg.
Bake:
Bake for 16–18 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
Cool And Decorate:
Cool slightly. If desired, dust with powdered sugar and use chocolate chips or icing to make sleeping faces on each pocket.
Serve:
Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Enjoying these pockets warmed up every holiday morning has created wonderful family memories filled with laughter and sweetness.

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 per serving

A close-up of flaky, baked Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, dusted with sugar and decorated as sleeping faces. Save
A close-up of flaky, baked Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, dusted with sugar and decorated as sleeping faces. | williesnack.com

These gingerbread puff pastry pockets are a festive and tasty treat ready to brighten your holiday table.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What spices are used in the filling?

The filling includes ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a warm, aromatic flavor.

Can I prepare the pockets ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the pockets and refrigerate them before baking to save time.

What type of pastry works best?

Chilled, ready-rolled puff pastry sheets create the perfect flaky, golden pockets.

Are there any suggestions for serving?

Serve warm or cooled, optionally dusted with powdered sugar and decorated with chocolate chips or icing.

Is there a vegan alternative?

Use plant-based butter, egg replacer, and vegan puff pastry for a vegan version.

Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pockets

Flaky puff pastry envelopes a warmly spiced gingerbread filling for a cozy, festive treat.

Prep time
25 min
Time to cook
18 min
Total duration
43 min
Created by Willie Cooper


Skill level Easy

Cuisine European

Total yield 8 Number of servings

Dietary notes Vegetarian-friendly

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 chilled ready-rolled puff pastry (about 17.5 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 make it

Step 01

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

Step 02

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, cream together softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses and egg yolk until fully incorporated.

Step 03

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

Step 04

Form Gingerbread Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed wet ingredients, stirring until a soft gingerbread dough forms. Set aside.

Step 05

Prepare Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 4 equal rectangles, yielding 8 pieces in total.

Step 06

Assemble Pockets: Place a heaping tablespoon of gingerbread dough in the center of each pastry rectangle. Fold the pastry over to form a pocket and pinch the edges firmly to seal, using a fork to create a decorative edge.

Step 07

Apply Egg Wash: Arrange the pockets on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with beaten egg to promote browning.

Step 08

Bake: Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until the pockets are puffed and golden brown.

Step 09

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

Step 10

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

Tools you'll need

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

Allergy details

Review ingredients for potential allergens and ask a medical expert if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy. Verify pastry and chocolate chips for potential traces of nuts or soy.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This nutritional info is for reference only. For health questions, check with a medical professional.
  • Energy: 310
  • Fats: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Proteins: 3 g