Express Pigs in Blanket Tree

Featured in: Seasonal Home Recipes

This festive dish features mini sausages enveloped in crisp, golden puff pastry, artfully shaped into a Christmas tree. The pastry is brushed with a buttery parsley glaze and finished with a star-shaped cheddar or bell pepper topper. Served with a tangy mustard and honey dipping sauce, it’s a quick and easy appetizer perfect for holiday celebrations and sharing with guests.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:26:00 GMT
Golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged with a star, ready for quick enjoyment and dipping. Save
Golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged with a star, ready for quick enjoyment and dipping. | toastybloom.com

A festive, fun, and speedy appetizer featuring mini sausages wrapped in golden puff pastry, arranged in a charming Christmas tree shape—perfect for holiday gatherings.

I first made this for a holiday party and everyone loved how cute and delicious it looked as a Christmas tree centerpiece.

Ingredients

  • Sausages: 24 mini cocktail sausages (about 350 g)
  • Pastry: 1 sheet (about 250 g) ready-rolled puff pastry, 1 large egg beaten (for egg wash)
  • Garnish: 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional), 1 star-shaped piece of cheddar or yellow bell pepper (for the tree topper)
  • Dipping Sauce: 4 tbsp Dijon or honey mustard, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp honey

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
Cut pastry:
Unroll the puff pastry and cut into 24 strips each about 1.5 cm wide and 10 cm long.
Wrap sausages:
Wrap each mini sausage with a strip of pastry slightly overlapping the ends. Place the seam side down.
Arrange tree:
Arrange the wrapped sausages on the tray in a Christmas tree shape start with a single sausage at the top then make each subsequent row with one more sausage forming a triangular tree eg 1 2 3 up to 7 at the base. Place the star-shaped cheese or pepper at the trees top.
Brush pastry:
Brush the pastry with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Bake:
Bake for 18–20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Mix garnish:
Meanwhile mix the melted butter with parsley and (if using) Parmesan.
Brush garnish:
Remove the tree from the oven and immediately brush with the butter mixture.
Prepare sauce:
For the dipping sauce combine mustard mayonnaise and honey in a small bowl.
Serve:
Serve warm with the dipping sauce on the side.
Crispy, savory Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, with perfectly baked puff pastry and a festive presentation. Save
Crispy, savory Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, with perfectly baked puff pastry and a festive presentation. | toastybloom.com

This recipe has become a family favorite for our holiday gatherings with every generation asking for seconds.

Required Tools

Baking tray Sharp knife Pastry brush Small mixing bowls

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten) egg milk and possibly mustard Check sausage and pastry labels for additional allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories 290 Total Fat 19 g Carbohydrates 20 g Protein 8 g per serving

Share-worthy photo: a delicious Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, hot from the oven, with dipping sauces by its side. Save
Share-worthy photo: a delicious Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, hot from the oven, with dipping sauces by its side. | toastybloom.com

This quick appetizer adds festive cheer to any holiday table and is sure to impress your guests.

Recipe FAQs

How do I shape the wrapped sausages into a Christmas tree?

Arrange the wrapped sausages on a tray in rows starting with one at the top, increasing by one sausage per row to form a triangular tree shape.

What type of pastry works best for wrapping?

Ready-rolled puff pastry provides a flaky, golden crust that crisps beautifully around the sausages.

Can I make this vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, substitute mini cocktail sausages with vegetarian alternatives to suit dietary preferences.

What is the purpose of brushing the butter and parsley mixture after baking?

It adds a rich, glossy finish and fresh herb flavor to enhance the taste and appearance.

Which dipping sauces complement this dish best?

Mustard-based sauces like Dijon or honey mustard pair well, but ketchup, BBQ, or cranberry sauce are also great options.

Express Pigs in Blanket Tree

Mini sausages wrapped in puff pastry arranged into a Christmas tree shape with a buttery herb glaze.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Time for Cooking
20 minutes
Complete Time
35 minutes
Recipe Creator Grace Miller

Recipe Group Seasonal Home Recipes

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American/British

Servings Made 8 Portion Count

Dietary Notes None specified

What You Need

Sausages

01 24 mini cocktail sausages (approximately 12.3 oz)

Pastry

01 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry (approximately 8.8 oz)
02 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons melted butter
02 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
03 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
04 1 star-shaped piece of cheddar or yellow bell pepper (for tree topper)

Dipping Sauce

01 4 tablespoons Dijon or honey mustard
02 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
03 1 teaspoon honey

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 01

Preheat and Prepare Baking Tray: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cut Puff Pastry: Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut into 24 strips approximately 0.6 inches wide and 4 inches long each.

Step 03

Wrap Sausages: Wrap each mini sausage with a strip of pastry, slightly overlapping the ends, and place seam side down.

Step 04

Arrange Sausages as Christmas Tree: Arrange wrapped sausages on the baking tray to form a Christmas tree shape, starting with a single sausage at the top and increasing by one sausage per row, up to seven at the base. Position the star-shaped cheddar or bell pepper at the top.

Step 05

Apply Egg Wash: Brush the pastry-wrapped sausages with the beaten egg to ensure a golden finish.

Step 06

Bake: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Step 07

Prepare Butter Mixture: While baking, mix the melted butter with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if using.

Step 08

Brush Butter Mixture: Remove the baking tray from the oven and immediately brush the pastries with the butter mixture.

Step 09

Prepare Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine Dijon or honey mustard, mayonnaise, and honey until smooth.

Step 10

Serve: Serve the pastry-wrapped sausages warm with the dipping sauce on the side.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking tray
  • Sharp knife
  • Pastry brush
  • Small mixing bowls

Allergy Details

Look over every item for allergens. If unsure, check with your healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and may contain mustard. Verify ingredient labels for additional allergens.

Nutrition (per portion)

For guidance only: not a replacement for professional medical counsel.
  • Energy (Calories): 290
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Proteins: 8 g