Pull-Apart Gingerbread Man Recipe

Name: Pull-Apart Gingerbread Man
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 3 tablespoons unsulfured molasses; 1 tablespoon chocolate-hazelnut spread, such as Nutella; 3 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 48 mini cupcakes (preferably gingerbread), liners removed; Assorted gumdrops, candies and royal icing, for decorating

Servings: persons

1
Special equipment: a large, flat serving platter; a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip, a small pastry bag fitted with a round tip
2
For the ginger-molasses frosting: Beat the butter, molasses and chocolate-hazelnut spread with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until completely smooth.
3
Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
4
Add the confectioners' sugar, cocoa, ginger, vanilla and salt and beat on medium low, increasing the speed as the ingredients begin to incorporate.
5
Beat on medium high for a few seconds until the frosting is completely smooth.
6
For the gingerbread man: Arrange the cupcakes on the platter in a gingerbread man shape (use about 14 cupcakes to make the head, 14 to make the arms and chest and 20 to make the tummy, legs and feet).
7
Transfer the frosting to a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe swirls to generously cover each cupcake top (the frosting on each top should touch its neighbor).
8
Then fill in any gaps with a squeeze of frosting.
9
Decorate as desired with gumdrops and candies.
10
Fill a small pastry bag fitted with a round tip with royal icing and use to decorate as desired.

1440

kcal

Calories

Fat

160

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature, 3 tablespoons unsulfured molasses, 1 tablespoon chocolate-hazelnut spread, such as Nutella, 3 cups confectioners' sugar, and more.

Yes, Pull-Apart Gingerbread Man falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Pull-Apart Gingerbread Man

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions