Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pockets

Featured in: Simple Homemade Desserts

Experience delicate puff pastry folded around a warmly spiced gingerbread filling, combining soft texture with aromatic ginger, cinnamon, and molasses notes. Baked to golden perfection, these pockets offer a charming way to enjoy seasonal flavors, with optional decorative touches like powdered sugar and chocolate faces. Ideal for holiday mornings or festive gatherings, they bring comfort and whimsy to the table with simple ingredients and easy preparation.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:40:00 GMT
Golden-brown Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, perfectly baked and ready to be enjoyed as a sweet treat. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets, perfectly baked and ready to be enjoyed as a sweet treat. | flourhollow.com

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

I first made these pockets during the holiday season and they quickly became a family favorite for breakfast and dessert gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 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
  • Puff Pastry: 2 sheets (about 500 g) ready-rolled puff pastry, chilled, 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 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.
Imagine warm, spiced gingerbread filling encased in flaky, delightful Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets. Save to Pinterest
Imagine warm, spiced gingerbread filling encased in flaky, delightful Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets. | flourhollow.com

This recipe always brings smiles around the table especially when the kids decorate their own little gingerbread faces.

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

Per serving: Calories 310, Total Fat 17 g, Carbohydrates 37 g, Protein 3 g

Festive and delicious, these homemade Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets are a cozy, holiday breakfast sensation. Save to Pinterest
Festive and delicious, these homemade Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pastry Pockets are a cozy, holiday breakfast sensation. | flourhollow.com

Enjoy these warm or at room temperature for a cozy holiday treat that delights every time.

Recipe FAQs

What spices enhance the gingerbread filling?

Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, along with molasses, create a warmly spiced blend for the filling.

How is the puff pastry shaped for these pockets?

Pastry sheets are cut into rectangles, filled with dough, folded over to form pockets, and sealed with a fork for a decorative edge.

Can these pockets be decorated?

Yes, optionally dust with powdered sugar and add mini chocolate chips or icing to create sleeping faces on top.

What baking temperature and time are recommended?

Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 16 to 18 minutes until golden and puffed.

Are there vegan adaptations for this dish?

Use plant-based butter, egg replacer, and vegan puff pastry to make a vegan-friendly version.

Sleeping Gingerbread Puff Pockets

Flaky puff pastry filled with warmly spiced gingerbread, perfect for festive mornings or cozy desserts.

Prep Duration
25 mins
Cook Duration
18 mins
Overall Time
43 mins
Created by Megan Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type European

Serves 8 Servings Count

Dietary Details Meat-Free

Ingredient List

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 (about 1 lb)
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

Step 01

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

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and dark brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in molasses and egg yolk until fully combined.

Step 03

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

Step 04

Form Gingerbread Dough: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Set aside.

Step 05

Prepare Puff Pastry Rectangles: Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the puff pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into four equal rectangles to yield eight pieces total.

Step 06

Assemble Pockets: Place roughly one heaping tablespoon of gingerbread dough in the center of each pastry rectangle. Fold pastry over to form a pocket and seal edges by pinching and pressing gently with a fork for decoration.

Step 07

Apply Egg Wash: Arrange pockets on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with beaten egg to achieve a golden finish.

Step 08

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven 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 with mini chocolate chips or icing to create sleeping faces.

Step 10

Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature for a cozy treat.

Equipment Needed

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

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient to spot potential allergens. Always confirm with your healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy.
  • Check puff pastry and chocolate chips for potential traces of nuts or soy.

Nutrition Breakdown (per serving)

Nutrition details are for reference and can't substitute for professional advice.
  • Caloric Value: 310
  • Fat content: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Protein Amount: 3 g