Festive Gingerbread Cookie Cups with Warm Spiced Pears: The Ultimate Holiday Dessert Recipe

Step into the festive spirit with these enchanting Gingerbread Cookie Cups, perfectly paired with tender, warm spiced pears. This elegant yet surprisingly simple Christmas dessert combines the comforting aroma of classic gingerbread spices with the sweet, succulent flavor of sautéed pears. It’s a delightful treat that captures the essence of the holiday season, making it an ideal choice for your holiday gatherings or a cozy night in. Best served fresh and warm, topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla (or dairy-free) ice cream and a luscious drizzle of molasses, these cookie cups promise to be a highlight of your holiday table.

This beloved recipe has been a staple in my kitchen for several years, bringing joy and a touch of homemade warmth to every festive occasion. It draws inspiration from the equally delightful Eggnog Cheesecake Cookie Cups by Liv for Cake, a personal favorite that my sister insists on having every year. While the inspiration for the cup shape comes from that delightful recipe, these gingerbread versions offer a unique, spiced twist that’s undeniably Christmassy.

We’ve recently given this cherished recipe a refresh! Originally published in December 2017, this post has been updated with brand new photos, clearer text, more helpful tips for bakers, and a few minor adjustments to the recipe to ensure optimal results. If you’re curious to see how far it’s come, scroll to the bottom to catch a glimpse of an original photo!

Why These Gingerbread Cookie Cups Are the Perfect Holiday Dessert

These gingerbread cookie cups aren’t just delicious; they’re also incredibly versatile and convenient, making them a fantastic choice for the busy holiday season. Here’s why they’ll become your new favorite festive treat:

• Make-Ahead Friendly: The gingerbread cookie cups can be baked several days in advance and stored, or even frozen for a few months. This takes the pressure off last-minute holiday preparations, allowing you to enjoy your guests without fuss.
• Perfect Portion Size: After a large holiday meal, sometimes all you need is a little something sweet. These cookie cups are perfectly sized to satisfy that craving without being overly indulgent, offering a light yet satisfying end to your feast.
• Warm, Comforting Flavors: The combination of warming gingerbread spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice with the sweet, tender sautéed pears creates an incredibly comforting and inviting dessert. It’s a flavor profile that truly embodies the spirit of winter holidays.
• Easy to Assemble: While the components can be prepared ahead, the final assembly is quick and straightforward. The warm spiced pears are a breeze to make right before serving, ensuring a fresh, fragrant experience.
• Dairy-Free Option: With a few simple substitutions (like dairy-free ice cream), this dessert can easily be enjoyed by those with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone at your table can partake in the holiday cheer.

A Closer Look at Key Ingredients for Your Gingerbread Cookie Cups

Crafting the perfect gingerbread cookie cups with spiced pears involves selecting ingredients that contribute to both flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the stars of this recipe:

Pears: Choosing the Right Variety

For this recipe, I highly recommend using Bosc pears. Their naturally sweet flavor, crisp texture, and firm flesh make them ideal for sautéing. Unlike some other pear varieties that can become mushy when cooked, Bosc pears beautifully maintain their shape, offering a delightful bite and an appealing presentation in your cookie cups. If Bosc pears aren’t available, other firm varieties like Anjou or Bartlett (though Bartlett can be softer) could work, but be mindful of their cooking time to prevent them from becoming too soft. Always aim for ripe but firm pears to ensure the best results.

Whole Wheat Flour: A Wholesome Touch

Incorporating whole wheat flour into baking is a fantastic way to add a slightly nutty flavor and a boost of fiber, making desserts a little more wholesome without compromising on taste. In these gingerbread cookie cups, whole wheat flour lends a wonderfully tender crumb and a subtle depth of flavor that complements the strong spices beautifully. I specifically developed this recipe with whole wheat flour, and it performs exceptionally well. While I haven’t tested it with other types of flours (like all-purpose or gluten-free blends), using them might alter the texture and require adjustments to liquid ratios. If you do experiment, be prepared for slight variations in the final product.

Coconut Sugar: Sweetness with a Caramel Note

Coconut sugar is a less-refined alternative to white sugar, known for its distinct caramel-like flavor that enhances both the cookie cups and the spiced pears. This natural sweetener provides a rich depth that pairs wonderfully with gingerbread spices and the sweetness of the pears. You can usually find coconut sugar in the organic or natural foods section of most grocery stores. If you don’t have coconut sugar on hand, brown sugar is an excellent substitute, as it will also provide that desirable moist texture and a hint of molasses flavor, mimicking the effects of coconut sugar quite well.

Warming Spices: The Heart of Gingerbread

The magic of gingerbread lies in its warming spice blend. This recipe calls for a classic combination of ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, which are incorporated into both the cookie dough and the pears. Each spice plays a crucial role: ginger provides its signature pungent warmth, cinnamon adds a sweet, woody note, cloves bring intense aromatic depth, and allspice offers a complex flavor reminiscent of a blend of several spices. Together, they create that irresistible, comforting gingerbread taste. For an extra layer of warmth and complexity, you might consider adding a small pinch of nutmeg to the mix.

Ice Cream: The Perfect Cool Counterpoint

Serving these warm gingerbread cups with spiced pears alongside a scoop of cold ice cream creates a delightful contrast in temperature and texture. Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice that beautifully complements the spiced flavors without overpowering them. For those needing a dairy-free option, ensure you select a high-quality dairy-free vanilla ice cream. The creaminess of the ice cream melts slightly into the warm pears and cookie, creating a truly decadent experience. You can also explore other flavors like caramel or even a subtle coffee ice cream for an adventurous twist.

Crafting Your Gingerbread Cookie Cups: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making these delightful gingerbread cookie cups is a straightforward process, designed for both novice and experienced bakers. Follow these steps for perfect, golden-brown cookie cups that hold their shape beautifully:

1. Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature almond butter, softened coconut oil, coconut sugar, and rich molasses. Use an electric mixer to beat these ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy. This ensures all flavors are well-integrated and the mixture is light and airy. Once combined, incorporate the egg and continue beating until the mixture is fully emulsified and smooth.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Thoroughly mixing these dry ingredients beforehand ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough, preventing pockets of unmixed ingredients.
3. Form the Dough: With your electric mixer on a low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Mix until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Stop as soon as the ingredients are just combined.
4. Shape the Cups: Generously grease a 12-cavity standard muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Using a 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop, place uniform mounds of the gingerbread dough into each muffin cavity. This ensures consistent cup sizes. Then, using your fingers, gently press and shape the dough around the bottoms and up the sides of each cavity, creating little cups. Aim for an even thickness to ensure uniform baking.
5. First Bake and Reshape: Bake the shaped cookie cups in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. The dough will puff up slightly during this initial bake. Carefully remove the pan from the oven. While still warm and pliable, use the back of a metal spoon (never plastic, as it might melt, or your fingers, as the cookies are hot) to gently press down and reshape the cups, reinforcing their indentation.
6. Final Bake and Cool: Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake for another 3 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. You may need to reshape the cups one more time immediately after removing them from the oven, if necessary. It’s crucial to let the cookie cups cool completely in the muffin pan before attempting to remove them. This allows them to firm up and maintain their shape. Once cooled, use the edge of a knife to carefully lift them out and transfer them to an airtight container for storage.

Preparing Perfectly Spiced Pears: The Ideal Filling

The warm spiced pear filling is what truly elevates these gingerbread cups into a memorable dessert. It’s quick to prepare and fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma:

1. Melt Coconut Oil: Begin by preheating a skillet over medium-low heat and melting the coconut oil. This provides a flavorful base for sautéing the pears.
2. Prepare and Season Pears: While the oil heats, peel, core, and chop your Bosc pears into approximately 1/2-inch cubes. Transfer the chopped pears to a bowl and toss them with fresh lemon juice (to prevent browning and add a bright note), coconut sugar, and your blend of warming spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice). Ensure the pears are evenly coated.
3. Sauté the Pears: Add the seasoned pears to the preheated skillet along with a few teaspoons of water. The water helps create a steamy environment initially, allowing the pears to soften without scorching, and then evaporates, letting the sugars caramelize.
4. Cook to Tender Perfection: Cook the pears over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are beautifully tender and caramelized. They should be soft enough to pierce easily with a fork but still hold their shape. If the pan becomes too dry, add a tiny bit more water to prevent sticking.

Assembling Your Gingerbread Cookie Cups with Spiced Pears

The grand finale! Assembling these gingerbread cookie cups is where the magic happens, bringing together all the comforting flavors and textures. It’s a simple process that results in a stunning presentation:

To assemble, place a generous spoonful of the warm, fragrant spiced pears into each gingerbread cookie cup. The warmth of the pears will gently soften the cookie, creating a delightful texture. Top each filled cup with a scoop of your favorite vanilla (or dairy-free) ice cream, allowing its cool creaminess to beautifully contrast with the warm pears and spicy cookie. Finish with a delicate drizzle of molasses, which adds another layer of rich, complex sweetness that ties all the flavors together. Repeat this process for the desired number of cups and serve immediately to enjoy the dessert at its best.

You should find that two medium Bosc pears yield enough filling for all 12 cookie cups. However, if you’re not planning to serve all 12 at once, you can certainly adjust by using just one pear for a smaller batch, or simply add more pears to each individual cup for an extra generous serving!

Storage and Freezing Tips for Convenience

One of the best features of these gingerbread cookie cups is their adaptability, especially when it comes to preparation and storage. This allows for stress-free entertaining during the busy holiday season:

• Unfilled Cookie Cups: The baked gingerbread cookie cups, without any filling, can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. This makes them an excellent make-ahead component for your holiday dessert. For longer storage, you can freeze the unfilled cups for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply defrost them at room temperature for a few hours before filling.
• Spiced Pear Filling: The spiced pear filling is truly at its peak when served warm and freshly made. While you could technically make the pears in advance and reheat them, they tend to lose some of their vibrant texture and become a bit softer upon reheating. For the best flavor and consistency, I highly recommend preparing the spiced pear filling just before you plan to assemble and serve the dessert. This ensures the pears are perfectly tender, aromatic, and warm, providing that ideal contrast with the cold ice cream.

Pro Tips for Gingerbread Cookie Cup Success

Achieving perfect gingerbread cookie cups is simple with these helpful tips, ensuring your dessert is not only delicious but also beautifully presented:

• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For the cookie dough, make sure all your cold ingredients, especially the almond butter, coconut oil, and egg, are at room temperature. Cold ingredients can cause the coconut oil to harden and become lumpy when mixed, making it difficult to achieve a smooth, uniform dough. Plan ahead by taking them out of the fridge about 30-60 minutes before you start baking.
• Generous Greasing Prevents Sticking: To ensure your gingerbread cookie cups release easily from the muffin pan, generously grease each cavity with non-stick cooking spray or butter. This simple step is crucial for preventing sticking and preserving the integrity of the cup shape. Once cooled, they should pop out effortlessly with the gentle nudge of a knife’s edge.
• Thin Layer for Perfect Cups: The cookie dough will naturally puff up slightly during baking. To maintain the cup shape and ensure enough space for your delicious filling, spread the dough out in a relatively thin, even layer around the bottom and up the sides of the muffin pan cavities. Avoid making the bottoms too thick.
• Reshape While Warm: As mentioned in the instructions, after the first 5 minutes of baking, the cookie cups will be soft and pliable. Use the back of a metal teaspoon (or a similarly shaped tool) to carefully reshape the cups. Do not use your fingers, as the cookies will be very hot. Avoid plastic spoons, as they might melt or warp. This reshaping step is essential for creating deep, well-defined cups.
• Cool Completely in the Pan: Patience is a virtue when it comes to removing your cookie cups. Allow them to cool fully in the muffin pan before attempting to lift them out. Cooling helps the cookies firm up and set their shape, preventing them from breaking or crumbling when handled.

Creative Recipe Variations to Inspire You

While this recipe for gingerbread cookie cups with spiced pears is perfect as is, it also offers a fantastic canvas for creativity. Feel free to experiment with these delicious variations:

• Nut/Seed Butter Alternatives: If almond butter isn’t your preference or isn’t available, you can easily substitute it with another type of creamy nut or seed butter in the cookie dough, such as cashew butter or sunflower seed butter. Be aware that the flavor profile might change slightly, so choose one you enjoy!
• Alternative Toppings to Ice Cream: While ice cream is a classic, consider a creamy coconut molasses whipped topping for a richer, dairy-free alternative. The recipe for this is included in the notes section of the recipe card below, adding another layer of gingerbread flavor. Alternatively, if dairy isn’t an issue, classic whipped cream makes for a light and fluffy topping.
• Fruit Swaps: Not a pear fan? Try filling the gingerbread cups with other sautéed fruits! Warm, spiced apples, baked peaches, or even roasted berries would make excellent substitutes, offering different flavor dimensions to this versatile dessert.
• Drizzle Alternatives: Instead of a molasses drizzle, get creative with other sauces. A rich chocolate sauce, a buttery butterscotch sauce, or even a tangy caramel sauce would complement the gingerbread and fruit beautifully.
• Added Textures: For an extra layer of texture and flavor, sprinkle some toasted shredded coconut, chopped candied ginger, or a pinch of toasted pecans or walnuts over the spiced pears and ice cream just before serving.

More Festive Gingerbread Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re as big a fan of gingerbread as we are, then you’ll definitely want to explore these other comforting and delicious recipes that celebrate this iconic holiday spice:

• Ginger Molasses Cookies
• Easy Gingerbread Cake
• Mini Gingerbread Donuts

Discover More Delicious Pear Recipes

Pears are a wonderfully versatile fruit, and if you’re looking for more ways to incorporate them into your cooking and baking, these recipes are a great place to start:

• Air Fryer Pears
• Pear and Parsnip Soup

If you bake these delightful gingerbread cookie cups with spiced pears for your next gathering, or just for yourself, I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts! Please share your feedback and experiences in the comments section below.

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