Express Pigs in Blanket Tree

Featured in: Spicy Entrées

This festive dish features mini cocktail sausages wrapped in strips of golden, flaky puff pastry, arranged carefully to form a charming Christmas tree shape. Baked until puffed and golden, the tree is brushed with a butter, parsley, and optional Parmesan mix for added flavor. A honey mustard and mayonnaise dipping sauce complements the savory bites perfectly. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a quick and fun way to delight guests during holiday gatherings.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:17:00 GMT
Golden, flaky Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged as savory holiday appetizer, served warm. Save
Golden, flaky Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged as savory holiday appetizer, served warm. | pepperplume.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 love making this for my family every holiday season because everyone enjoys the fun tree shape and the delicious flavors.

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 e.g. 1 2 3 up to 7 at the base. Place the star-shaped cheese or pepper at the trees top.
Egg wash:
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.
Prepare 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.
Make dipping sauce:
For the dipping sauce combine mustard mayonnaise and honey in a small bowl.
Serve:
Serve warm with the dipping sauce on the side.
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My kids love gathering around and decorating the tree with the star topper before we bake it it really brings us together.

Notes

Great with ketchup BBQ sauce or cranberry sauce as alternate dips.

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.

Crispy, oven-baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree with a star topper, ready for the Christmas party. Save
Crispy, oven-baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree with a star topper, ready for the Christmas party. | pepperplume.com

This appetizer is sure to impress your guests and can be customized to fit any occasion.

Recipe FAQ

What type of sausages work best for this appetizer?

Mini cocktail sausages or small breakfast sausages with a savory flavor work best, as they fit well inside thin pastry strips and bake quickly.

Can I prepare the tree in advance before baking?

Yes, you can assemble the wrapped sausages and shape the tree on the tray ahead of time. Keep it refrigerated until ready to bake for best results.

What alternatives are recommended for the dipping sauce?

Try ketchup, BBQ sauce, or cranberry sauce as tasty alternatives that complement the pastry-wrapped sausages.

How do I ensure the puff pastry turns out golden and flaky?

Brushing the pastry with beaten egg before baking helps achieve a beautiful golden color while keeping the layers flaky and light.

Is there a way to make this appetizer vegetarian?

Vegetarian sausages can be used in place of meat sausages, maintaining the same preparation and bake time.

Express Pigs in Blanket Tree

Festive appetizer with mini sausages wrapped in puff pastry, shaped like a charming holiday tree.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
20 min
Complete duration
35 min
Created by Isabella Flores


Complexity Easy

Heritage American/British

Output 7 Portions

Diet considerations None specified

Components

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 cheese or yellow bell pepper (for tree topper)

Dipping Sauce

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

Directions

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

Prepare Pastry Strips: Unroll the puff pastry and cut into 24 strips approximately 0.6 inch wide and 4 inches long each.

Phase 03

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

Phase 04

Arrange in Tree Shape: Arrange the wrapped sausages on the tray to form a Christmas tree shape: starting with one at the top, then increasing by one row per level up to seven at the base. Place the star-shaped cheese or pepper at the top.

Phase 05

Egg Wash: Brush the pastry with the beaten egg to ensure a golden finish upon baking.

Phase 06

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

Phase 07

Prepare Butter Glaze: While baking, combine melted butter with parsley and optional Parmesan cheese.

Phase 08

Glaze Pastries: Remove the tree from the oven and immediately brush with the parsley butter mixture.

Phase 09

Prepare Dipping Sauce: Mix Dijon or honey mustard, mayonnaise, and honey together in a small bowl.

Phase 10

Serve: Serve warm with the dipping sauce on the side.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and seek professional health advice if you're uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and potentially mustard.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 290
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Proteins: 8 g