Express Pigs Blanket Tree

Featured in: Starlit Suppers

This festive dish features mini sausages wrapped in golden puff pastry and arranged artfully into a Christmas tree shape. Quick to prepare and bake, it combines buttery, flaky pastry with savory meats, finished with a parsley-butter glaze and optional Parmesan sprinkle. Served warm with a tangy mustard-mayo-honey sauce, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for holiday celebrations. Variations include vegetarian sausages and seed toppings for extra crunch.

Updated on Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:07:00 GMT
Golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged with a bright cheddar star, ready to serve with mustard dip. Save It
Golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged with a bright cheddar star, ready to serve with mustard dip. | zetluna.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 have always loved serving these at holiday parties because they bring smiles and disappear quickly from 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 (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.
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| zetluna.com

This recipe always brings the family together during the holidays and sparks lots of happy memories around the table.

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.

Freshly baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, showing the flaky pastry wrapping each mini sausage for festive joy. Save It
Freshly baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, showing the flaky pastry wrapping each mini sausage for festive joy. | zetluna.com

This appetizer is sure to become a holiday favorite and a quick go-to for festive entertaining.

Common Questions About Recipes

What is the best puff pastry to use?

Use ready-rolled puff pastry that thaws easily and crisps well for a golden finish.

How do I shape the sausages into a tree?

Arrange the wrapped sausages in rows increasing from one at the top to seven at the base, forming a triangular tree shape.

Can this be made vegetarian?

Yes, substitute mini sausages with vegetarian alternatives for a similar savory bite.

How should I serve the sauce?

Serve the mustard, mayonnaise, and honey sauce on the side for dipping the warm pastry bites.

Any tips for extra flavor?

Brush with melted butter mixed with parsley and optionally sprinkle Parmesan for enhanced taste.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Assemble the wrapped sausages and keep refrigerated for up to a few hours before baking to save time.

Express Pigs Blanket Tree

Mini sausages wrapped in puff pastry arranged in a festive tree shape for holiday gatherings.

Prep Time
15 mins
Time to Cook
20 mins
Overall Time
35 mins
Authored by Clara

Recipe Type Starlit Suppers

Skill Level Required Easy

Cuisine Type American/British

Recipe Output 7 Number of Portions

Dietary Needs None specified

The Ingredients You'll Need

Sausages

01 24 mini cocktail sausages (about 12.3 oz)

Pastry

01 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry (about 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 the tree topper)

Dipping Sauce

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

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

Wrap Sausages: Wrap each mini sausage with a strip of pastry, overlapping lightly and placing seam side down.

Step 04

Arrange Sausages: Arrange wrapped sausages on the tray in a triangular 'Christmas tree' pattern: start with 1 sausage at the top, increasing by one sausage per row down to 7 at the base. Place the star-shaped cheese or pepper topper at the peak.

Step 05

Apply Egg Wash: Brush the pastry generously with the beaten egg for 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: Combine melted butter with chopped parsley and optional Parmesan cheese.

Step 08

Glaze Pastry: Remove the arrangement from the oven and immediately brush with the butter mixture.

Step 09

Make Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together mustard, mayonnaise, and honey until well combined.

Step 10

Serve: Serve warm alongside the prepared dipping sauce.

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient to identify allergens and consult an expert if needed.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and possibly mustard. Verify sausage and pastry labels for additional allergens.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Keep in mind these details are for general guidance and shouldn't replace professional advice.
  • Caloric Content: 290
  • Fats: 19 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 20 grams
  • Proteins: 8 grams