Express Pigs in Blanket Tree

Featured in: Seasonal Bites & Sips

This festive appetizer showcases mini cocktail sausages wrapped in golden puff pastry arranged in a charming Christmas tree shape. The pastry is brushed with egg wash for a crisp, shiny finish, then baked until puffed and golden. A buttery parsley and parmesan glaze adds extra flavor after baking. Served with a honey mustard-mayo dipping sauce, this quick and easy dish elevates holiday gatherings through playful presentation and rich taste.

Preparation is fast, requiring only puff pastry, small sausages, and a few simple ingredients, making it an ideal party starter that blends savory, buttery, and tangy notes. Variations include using vegetarian sausages or sprinkling seeds for added crunch. This crowd-pleaser brings festivity and flavor in under 40 minutes.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:27:00 GMT
Golden-baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged invitingly for a festive appetizer, ready to serve. Save
Golden-baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged invitingly for a festive appetizer, ready to serve. | fizznib.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 always enjoy making these for holiday parties because they impress guests and disappear quickly.

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 (e.g. 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.
A close-up of a crispy Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, adorned with fresh parsley and a golden crust. Save
A close-up of a crispy Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, adorned with fresh parsley and a golden crust. | fizznib.com

This recipe always brings smiles to my family gatherings and is a festive crowd-pleaser.

Notes

For a vegetarian version use vegetarian sausages. 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.

Enjoy a holiday gathering with the delicious Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, served with dipping sauce. Save
Enjoy a holiday gathering with the delicious Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, served with dipping sauce. | fizznib.com

Try serving these warm for the best flavor and texture every time.

Cooking Guide

How do I keep the pastry from becoming soggy?

Ensure the sausages are dry before wrapping, and bake on parchment at the right temperature for a crisp, golden finish.

Can I prepare this appetizer ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the wrapped sausages and refrigerate briefly before baking to save time during gatherings.

What alternatives can I use for the dipping sauce?

Try ketchup, BBQ sauce, or cranberry sauce to complement the savory and buttery flavors.

Is it possible to make a vegetarian version?

Yes, substitute mini sausages with vegetarian or plant-based options to suit dietary preferences.

How should I arrange the shapes for the Christmas tree effect?

Start with one wrapped sausage at the top, increasing by one per row down to seven at the base to form a triangular tree layout.

Express Pigs in Blanket Tree

Quick festive snack of mini sausages wrapped in flaky golden pastry, arranged in a tree shape.

Setup duration
15 min
Heat duration
20 min
Complete duration
35 min
Created by Chloe Bennett


Complexity Easy

Heritage American/British

Output 8 Portions

Nutrition Categories None specified

Components

Sausages

01 24 mini cocktail sausages (approximately 12 oz)

Pastry

01 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry (approximately 9 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

Method

Phase 01

Preheat Oven: Set 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 about 0.6 inch wide and 4 inches long.

Phase 03

Wrap Mini Sausages: Wrap each mini sausage in a pastry strip, overlapping the ends slightly, and place them seam-side down on the tray.

Phase 04

Arrange Tree Shape: Arrange the wrapped sausages in a triangular tree formation starting with one at the top, increasing by one sausage each row down to seven at the base. Place the star-shaped cheddar or bell pepper at the tree’s tip.

Phase 05

Apply Egg Wash: Brush all pastry surfaces with the beaten egg for a golden finish.

Phase 06

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

Phase 07

Prepare Garnish: Mix melted butter with finely chopped parsley and optional Parmesan cheese.

Phase 08

Brush Garnish: Remove the pastry tree from the oven and immediately brush with the butter-parsley mixture.

Phase 09

Mix Dipping Sauce: Combine mustard, mayonnaise, and honey in a small bowl to create the dipping sauce.

Phase 10

Serve: Serve the warm pastry tree accompanied by the dipping sauce.

Kitchen Tools

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

Sensitivity Guide

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and possibly mustard; verify labels for additional allergens.

Dietary Information (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 290
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Proteins: 8 g