Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pockets

Featured in: Baking

Experience the comforting blend of flaky puff pastry encasing a warmly spiced gingerbread filling. This delightful treat combines ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg with a soft dough, baked until golden brown. The pockets are adorned optionally with powdered sugar and chocolate or icing faces, adding a whimsical touch. Preparation involves creaming butter with brown sugar and molasses, mixing dry spices and flour, then folding the filling into puff pastry rectangles before baking. Serve them warm or at room temperature, perfect for festive celebrations or cozy moments.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:26:00 GMT
Golden-brown Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, filled with warm, spiced gingerbread, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, filled with warm, spiced gingerbread, ready to enjoy. | buddybiteskitchen.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 festive favorite in my family, bringing us together every holiday morning for a warm and delightful start.

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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| buddybiteskitchen.com

This recipe always brings a smile to our family gatherings, turning ordinary moments into cherished memories.

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

Flaky, baked Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, dusted with sugar and decorated as happy sleepers. Save to Pinterest
Flaky, baked Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, dusted with sugar and decorated as happy sleepers. | buddybiteskitchen.com

Enjoy these delightful puff pastry pockets warm for the best flavor and texture.

Common Recipe Questions

What spices create the gingerbread filling?

The filling uses ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to achieve its warm, aromatic flavor.

Can I prepare the pockets ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the pockets and refrigerate them before baking to bake fresh later.

What pastry works best for these pockets?

Ready-rolled puff pastry sheets provide the ideal flaky texture and ease of preparation.

How can I decorate the pockets for a festive look?

Dust with powdered sugar and add mini chocolate chips or icing to create sleeping face designs.

Is there a vegan option available?

Use plant-based butter, egg replacers, and vegan puff pastry to adapt the filling and pastry.

Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pockets

Flaky puff pastry pockets filled with warmly spiced gingerbread, ideal for holiday mornings or festive tables.

Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
18 minutes
Total Time
43 minutes
Created By Max Buddyfield

Recipe Category Baking

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type European

Recipe Yield 8 Number of Servings

Dietary Preferences Suitable for Vegetarians

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 (about 17.5 ounces), chilled
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)

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cream butter and sugar: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses and egg yolk until well combined.

Step 03

Combine dry spices and flour: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.

Step 04

Form gingerbread filling: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft gingerbread dough forms. Set aside.

Step 05

Prepare puff pastry rectangles: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled puff pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 4 equal rectangles to yield 8 pieces total.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Apply egg wash and arrange for baking: Arrange the pockets on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with the beaten egg for a golden finish.

Step 08

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

Step 09

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

Step 10

Serve: Serve the pockets warm or at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Warnings

Review each ingredient carefully for allergens. If unsure, consult with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy. Verify puff pastry and chocolate chips for traces of nuts or soy as applicable.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for general information only. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary concerns.
  • Calorie Count: 310
  • Fat Content: 17 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 37 grams
  • Protein Content: 3 grams