Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man Recipe (2024)

JUMP TO RECIPE

This Nutella puff pastry gingerbread man recipe makes the most delicious and easy Christmas sweet treat you can make. Unleash your creativity in the kitchen with this unconventional take on the classic gingerbread man. Turn your favorite gingerbread man into a show-stopping dessert with Nutella and puff pastry.

Calling all Nutella lovers! Get ready to experience pure bliss with this heavenly combination of Nutella and puff pastry in the form of a delightful gingerbread man. Your taste buds will thank you.

JUMP TO
Ingredients
How to make
Top tips
Serving suggestions
Equipment
Variations and substitutions
Storing/making ahead
FAQs
Other recipes you might like
Recipe

Why you’ll love this Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man recipe

The Nutella puff pastry gingerbread man mixes together all my favourite festive ingredients. The thick and chocolatey nutella and flaky golden pastry.

Gingerbread men are a staple in my house at this time of year. So swapping the spiced biscuit for a light pastry is perfect for those who want to see a gingerbread man but want to try something different.

Nutella pastry gingerbread man are perfect for making with the little ones! You can even add some decorations to them if you want. Just grab some coloured icing and get to work, give your puff pastry gingerbread man a face, a dress or even add a beard and red hat!

Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man Ingredients

For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.

Puff Pastry

If you’re a bake-off expert you can make you’re own puff pastry but I like to cheat and use pre-made, ready-to-roll. It’s cheap from any supermarket and really speeds up your prep time in this Puff pastry nutella gingerbread man recipe.

Nutella

Chocolate spread is perfect for Christmas bakes, the rich hazelnutty flavour is a perfect complement to thick chocolate. When sandwiched between pastry you’re onto a winner. Think Puff Pastry Christmas Trees or Puff Pastry Nutella Snowflakes.

Egg

A simple egg wash helps your pastry to turn that gorgeous golden brown colour in the oven. You need to mix your egg together and brush each puff pastry gingerbread man. If you don’t want to use an egg, a bit of milk will work too.

Icing sugar / confectioners sugar

For a simple, fuss-free decoration sprinkle some icing sugar over your cooled Nutella pastry gingerbread men. They’ll look beautiful and like they’re covered in a fresh flurry of falling snow.

How to Make Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man – Step by Step

Keep scrolling to find the full printable instructions and ingredient quantities.

Spread the Nutella over half of the puff pastry.

Fold the puff pastry in half like a book.

Use a gingerbread man cutter to cut out as many gingerbread men as you can.

Lay the pieces on the baking tray, leaving a space between them.

Gently whisk the egg with a fork and using a pastry brush, brush the egg over the pastry.

Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden brown.

Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man Top Tips

Take the puff pastry out of the fridge 20 minutes or so before you need it as it’s easier to unroll (or roll out if you have a block).

Enjoy straight away with a cup of coffee. The warm pastry is heavenly and the Nutella melts a little too. Just be careful of it being too hot.

Mix your icing sugar with cinnamon to add some spiced warmth to the top of your bakes. I love doing this and using the cinnamon to carve out features on their little faces.

Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man Recipe – Serving Suggestions

Afternoon tea

Take your tea and scones on a festive adventure and serve your Nutella pastry gingerbread men with a pot of tea while you watch the snow fall (I can dream of a white Christmas okay) or swap the tea for mulled wine and call it a Christmas bottomless brunch!

With ice cream

There are few things in this world that are as good as a warm pastry with cold ice cream. Create an icy scene for your gingerbread man climbing over mountains of vanilla ice cream.

Hot from the oven

If, like me, you can’t wait to serve your puff pastry nutella gingerbread men on a nice plate with toppies. Munch down on one while they are warm from the oven. It’s a treat for making something so delicious.

How did you serve your gingerbread men? I’d love to try your ideas so leave a comment below and I’ll try it!

Equipment

This list contains affiliate links

Substitutions and variations

Add dried fruit

Follow the puff pastry nutella gingerbread man recipe as normal but when you pop your layer of Nutella in, add some dried fruits. Personally, candied orange peel always works well here but you can go for dried cranberries too!

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Mix equal parts cinnamon with your icing sugar and sprinkle across the top of your gingerbread men. Caster sugar also works really well.

Chopped nuts

Similar to the dried fruits, chopped nuts can add a wonderful crunch to your bake. Either add chopped nuts to your Nutella layer before baking or pick out a chunky chocolate spread with chopped hazelnuts.

Storing Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man / Making ahead of time options

You can assemble the puff pastry and Nutella, cut out the shapes and store them in the fridge until you need to cook them. I would recommend cooking them within 2 days from assembling.

Once baked, your gingerbread men will not last very long because they will get eaten. If by some Christmas miracle, you do have leftovers, pop them in a Tupperware in the fridge for no more than 5 days as they start to go stale.

FAQS

Why do you glaze puff pastry with an egg?
Can you make puff pastry gingerbread men in advance?
What else can I add to Nutella and puff pastry?
How to make puff pastry puff up?
Why did my puff pastry gingerbread men not rise?
At what temperature do you cook puff pastry?

Why do you glaze puff pastry with an egg?

You glaze puff pastry with an egg because the protein helps your pastry to achieve that gorgeous golden brown colour. It also enhances the flakiness of your puff pastry.

Can you make puff pastry gingerbread men in advance?

Yes, you can make puff pastry gingerbread men up to 2 days before you need to bake them if you keep them in the fridge but it you want to freeze them then I suggest making and baking your pastry treats and popping them in the freezer for up to 1 month. Allow them to fully defrost and heat in the microwave for 30 second bursts.

What else can I add to Nutella and puff pastry?

You can add lots of things to Nutella and puff pastry. Try festive spices, chopped fruits and nuts, peanut butter and more. Your mind is your only limit so have fun!

How to make puff pastry puff up?

You make puff pastry puff up by following a good puff pastry recipe and by placing your bake into a piping hot oven. Puff pastry is made of layers of butter that when heated cause the pastry to puff up. So getting your laminations just right is crucial to a puffy puff pastry.

Why did my puff pastry gingerbread men not rise?

Sometimes puff pastry gingerbread men don’t rise because your oven was not at the right temperature, so the butter melted and didn’t puff up. Keep an eye on your oven temperature and try shop-bought puff pastry if it proves difficult

At what temperature do you cook puff pastry?

You cook puff pastry at 200 degrees Celsius. This is hot enough for your flaky puff pastry to puff up and cook but not so hot that it burns. Keep an eye on your pastry and take it out of the oven when it starts to go a lovely golden brown.

Other Recipes you might like

Cranberry Puff Pastry Rolls

These cranberry puff pastry rolls are so sweet and one of the best easy Christmas party foods you can make. A lot of gorgeous flaky puff pastry with cinnamon sugar and dried cranberries. It brings together the perfect Christmas flavours for a quick and easy cranberry puff pastry dessert. This is my take on cranberry twists. There are so many ways to use up leftover puff pastry including this sweet cranberry puff pastry pinwheels recipe.

Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls

This cinnamon puff pastry swirls recipe combines the best of cinnamon sugar and flaky puff pastry. Puff pastry cinnamon swirls are quick to make and the results are delicious. Perfect for a sugary snack, as a party nibble or even as part of an afternoon tea. The cinnamon sugar really works with a cup of tea. It can definitely go into the category of easy puff pastry desserts as it uses ready rolled puff pastry. It is also a great leftover puff pastry recipe.

Puff Pastry Mincemeat Pinwheels

If you love mince pies or you're looking for ideas with what to do with a leftover jar of mincemeat, then you need this puff pastry mincemeat pinwheels recipe. It combines the best of the Christmas mince pie flavours with flaky puff pastry to create an easy Christmas party food while being so delicious. Mince pie swirls are a great easy Christmas sweet treat which is perfect for family baking, making as a Christmas party food or just having with a cup of tea. These puff pastry mincemeat twists pair very well with a mulled wine too.

Pin this Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man recipe to enjoy later

Pin me for later or follow me @sewwhiteblog on Pinterest for my latest recipes and to discover my others.

Recipe

Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man Recipe

Sisley White

This Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man recipe makes the most delicious and easy Christmas sweet treat you can make. Unleash your creativity in the kitchen with this unconventional take on the classic gingerbread man. Turn your favorite gingerbread man into a show-stopping dessert with Nutella and puff pastry.

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Course Nibbles, Party Food, picnic food, Sweet Treats

Cuisine American, British, International

Servings 15 gingerbread men

Calories 94 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 sheet Puff pastry
Nutella

Glaze and Decoration

1 egg
Icing sugar / confectioners sugar (optional)

Instructions

Remove the puff pastry from the fridge and preheat the oven to 200ºC / 400ºF / Gas mark 6.
Dust the work top with flour and unroll the puff pastry.
Spread the Nutella over half of the puff pastry.
Fold the puff pastry in half like a book.
Use a gingerbread man cutter to cut out as many gingerbread men as you can.
Lay the pieces on the baking tray, leaving a space between them.
Gently whisk the egg with a fork and using a pastry brush, brush the egg over the pastry.
Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden brown.
Enjoy them straight away or allow them to cool.
For extra flair add a dusting of icing sugar.

Cooking puff pastry in the air fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 200ºC / 400ºF / Gas mark 6. Cook a few puff pastry gingerbread men at a time making sure there is space for them to spread and rise.
Bake in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.

Notes

You can make them small or even make 1 giant gingerbread man to share with your guests. Adjust the times accordingly.
You can add chopped nuts, ground cinnamon or even some dried fruits.

Nutrition

Calories: 94kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 14mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 16IUCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.5mg

Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

Keyword gingerbread man, gingerbread men, leftover puff pastry recipes, Nutella, puff pastry

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Puff Pastry Gingerbread Man Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you bake puff pastry before filling? ›

If you're making a tart or filled Puff Pastry, place it on the baking sheet before adding toppings or fillings. That way, you won't have to transfer the dough with the extra weight and risk tearing it. For extra-thin, crisp Puff Pastry, set a second baking sheet on top of the filled pastry before baking.

Explore More ›

What's the difference between rough puff and puff pastry? ›

Rough puff pastry is prepared by incorporating butter or fat in the form of golf-ball size chunks into the dough, instead of the entire slabs used in classic puff pastry. This is followed by sheeting and folding with minimum or no resting time between successive folds.

Is flaky pastry the same as puff pastry? ›

Flaky pastry, also known as quick pastry, blitz pastry or rough puff, is a light and thin unleavened pastry that is similar to, but distinct from, puff pastry. It is often called quick pastry or blitz pastry in reference to the short time its preparation requires.

See Details ›

How far in advance can you make puff pastry? ›

How to Refrigerate Puff Pastry. If you're a daredevil that made their own puff pastry, first, good for you; second, you can store homemade, unbaked puff pastry wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to three days.

How do you keep puff pastry from getting soggy? ›

Pastry being soggy in the middle is a result of the pastry being undercooked. Don't place the pastry on too high a shelf in the oven. One way to prevent soggy bottom pastry is to blind bake the pastry – This means partially or completely bake the pastry before adding the filling. Also, avoid over-filling your pastry.

What is the secret to baking puff pastry? ›

Always preheat your oven for a minimum of 15-20 minutes before baking, because Puff Pastry depends on even heat to rise and puff. Place pastries 1 inch apart. If you want a flaky thin and crispy pastry that's not very puffy, prick the unbaked Puff Pastry all over with a fork, which lets steam escape while baking.

Keep Reading ›

Why is puff pastry so difficult? ›

Puff pastry does need some gluten development but, because of the amount of rolling out that will happen during lamination, it is very easy to overwork a dough which makes it incredibly hard to use and can cause a lot of shrinkage.

See Details ›

What is the closest thing to puff pastry? ›

Shortcrust pastry: Shortcrust pastry is a type of pastry made from flour, butter, and water. It is commonly used for sweet desserts but can also be used as a substitute for puff pastry in savory dishes like pot pies. Shortcrust pastry has a crumbly texture and provides a sturdy base for the filling [1].

Get More Info ›

How many folds of puff pastry dough? ›

Classic puff pastry gets six. Continue refrigerating it after each two turns (or more often if necessary) until all six turns are completed. Keep track of how many turns you've made. When all six turns are done, put the dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour (preferably 3 or 4 hours).

Read The Full Story ›

Why is lemon juice added to puff pastry? ›

Make a well and add the liquid (the tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar helps tenderize the dough and keep it from oxidizing or turning gray). Stir into the bowl while lightly tossing the ingredients to moisten them evenly, keeping the butter pieces large.

See Details ›

How does Paul Hollywood make rough puff pastry? ›

For the rough puff pastry, mix the flour and salt together in a bowl. Rub in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add enough water to form a dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a rectangle measuring 30cm x 12cm.

Is puff pastry used for croissants? ›

Here's a quick and easy brunch recipe: “Cheater” Puff Pastry Croissants. Lot's of ways to dress them up too: almond, chocolate, savory with ham and cheese. I had these ready in under 15 minutes and ready to eat 30 minutes after that, so a great option — remember to thaw your puff pastry the night before!

Should puff pastry be room temperature before baking? ›

To save time, you can buy ready-rolled pastry sheets rather than using a block of pastry or making your own. These should be brought to room temperature before using, so that they do not split or crack when unrolled. Unroll and cut to shape as desired, then chill again before baking.

See Details ›

Do you egg wash puff pastry? ›

You can brush an egg-wash glaze (1 egg plus 1 tsp. water) over the Puff Pastry to create a rich, golden sheen when baked. Use an egg wash to help seal filled pastries and connect Puff Pastry pieces: mix 1 egg plus 1 tsp. water, brush between layers, then pinch or press together.

Do you cook puff pastry straight from the fridge? ›

Let Puff Thaw Before Using

The only potentially tricky moment when working with store-bought puff is that it needs to completely thaw before you use it. If you can, take the package of puff out of the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

Do you cook pastry before filling pie? ›

You need a par-baked or fully baked crust if you're making quiche, no-bake pie, custard pie, cream pie, pudding pie, or simply want an extra-crisp pie crust. If you're making a pie that doesn't require a baked filling, you still need a baked crust.

See Details ›

Can you fill puff pastry after baking? ›

Yes, you need to bake your puff pastry before filling. Make sure they are completely cooled before filling.

Do I need to cool pastry before adding filling? ›

If you put hot filling into your pastry case, you will melt some of the fat prematurely and so the pastry won't be as good as would be if you let it cool. I +1 but note that if you cook your pastry blind first (without filling) you can then fill immediately with hot filling.

What are the rules for puff pastry? ›

Always cut Puff Pastry straight down, never on an angle, to prevent layers from sticking together and inhibiting the rise. Cut up and down, and don't drag the knife. You can brush an egg-wash glaze (1 egg plus 1 tsp. water) over the Puff Pastry to create a rich, golden sheen when baked.

Show Me More ›