Express Pigs Blanket Tree

Featured in: Seasonal Cooking Ideas

This festive appetizer features mini sausages wrapped in delicate golden puff pastry, arranged artfully in a Christmas tree shape. The pastry is brushed with egg wash for a glossy finish and baked until puffed and golden. After baking, a butter, parsley, and Parmesan brush adds a flavorful touch. Served warm alongside a tangy Dijon-mustard and honey dipping sauce, this dish offers a speedy, crowd-pleasing treat ideal for holiday gatherings.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:37:00 GMT
Golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged and ready to be served with dipping sauce. Pin it
Golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged and ready to be served with dipping sauce. | smartyskitchen.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.

This appetizer has always been a hit at our family Christmas parties and brings so much festive cheer to the table.

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

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
Step 2:
Unroll the puff pastry and cut into 24 strips each about 1.5 cm wide and 10 cm long.
Step 3:
Wrap each mini sausage with a strip of pastry slightly overlapping the ends. Place the seam side down.
Step 4:
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.
Step 5:
Brush the pastry with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Step 6:
Bake for 18–20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Step 7:
Meanwhile mix the melted butter with parsley and (if using) Parmesan.
Step 8:
Remove the tree from the oven and immediately brush with the butter mixture.
Step 9:
For the dipping sauce combine mustard mayonnaise and honey in a small bowl.
Step 10:
Serve warm with the dipping sauce on the side.
Flaky, warm, freshly baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, perfect for a cozy holiday appetizer. Pin it
Flaky, warm, freshly baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, perfect for a cozy holiday appetizer. | smartyskitchen.com

Making this is always a family event with kids helping to wrap the sausages and decorate the tree.

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

Per serving: Calories 290, Total Fat 19 g, Carbohydrates 20 g, Protein 8 g

Crispy pastry hugging savory mini sausages: a delicious Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree for your gathering. Pin it
Crispy pastry hugging savory mini sausages: a delicious Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree for your gathering. | smartyskitchen.com

This dish is perfect for quick festive starters that delight both kids and adults alike.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of pastry is used for wrapping the sausages?

Ready-rolled puff pastry is used, providing a light and flaky texture when baked around the mini sausages.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, by substituting mini cocktail sausages with vegetarian alternatives, this appetizer can suit vegetarian diets.

How is the Christmas tree shape formed?

Sausages wrapped in pastry strips are arranged in rows that increase by one sausage per row, forming a triangular tree shape topped with a star-shaped garnish.

What is used for brushing the pastry before baking?

Beaten egg is brushed over the pastry-wrapped sausages to create a golden, glossy finish during baking.

What dipping sauces complement this dish?

A mixture of Dijon or honey mustard, mayonnaise, and honey accompanies this appetizer, but ketchup, BBQ sauce, or cranberry sauce are also great alternatives.

Are there any allergens to be aware of?

This dish contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and mustard. Check individual sausage and pastry labels for additional allergens.

Express Pigs Blanket Tree

Mini sausages wrapped in puff pastry, shaped as a festive tree, served with a flavorful dipping sauce.

Prep Time
15 min
Time to Cook
20 min
Overall Time
35 min
Created by Emily Scott


Skill Level Easy

Culinary Roots American/British

Makes 8 Portions

Diet Details None specified

What You'll 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

Directions

Step 01

Prepare oven and baking tray: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cut puff pastry strips: Unroll the puff pastry sheet and slice into 24 strips approximately 0.6 inches wide and 4 inches long.

Step 03

Wrap sausages: Wrap each mini sausage with one puff pastry strip, overlapping the ends slightly. Place each with the seam side down on the tray.

Step 04

Arrange in Christmas tree shape: Arrange wrapped sausages on the baking tray starting with a single sausage at the top, increasing by one sausage per row to form a triangular tree shape, ending with seven sausages at the base. Position the star-shaped cheese or pepper at the tree’s apex.

Step 05

Apply egg wash: Brush all pastry surfaces with beaten egg to promote golden browning.

Step 06

Bake pastries: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until the pastry is fully puffed and golden brown.

Step 07

Prepare butter garnish: While baking, combine melted butter, finely chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese if using.

Step 08

Brush baked tree with butter mixture: Remove the pastry tree from the oven and immediately brush with the parsley butter mixture for added flavor and shine.

Step 09

Mix dipping sauce: In a small bowl, thoroughly combine Dijon or honey mustard, mayonnaise, and honey.

Step 10

Serve warm: Serve the pigs in blanket Christmas tree warm alongside the prepared dipping sauce.

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Info

Review each item for allergens and reach out to a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and possibly mustard. Verify individual ingredient labels for additional allergens.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Info for reference only. Always check with your doctor for health guidance.
  • Energy (Calories): 290
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Proteins: 8 g