Express Pigs Blanket Christmas Tree

Featured in: Simple Oven Dishes

This festive appetizer features mini sausages wrapped in golden puff pastry and arranged in a charming tree shape, perfect for holiday gatherings. Ready in under 40 minutes, the pastry is brushed with a rich melted butter and parsley glaze after baking, creating a savory finish. Served warm with a honey mustard dipping sauce, this dish offers layers of flaky pastry, juicy sausage, and vibrant flavors to delight your guests.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:18:00 GMT
Flaky, golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged proudly on a baking sheet, ready to eat. Pin this
Flaky, golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged proudly on a baking sheet, ready to eat. | plumoven.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 recipe became our holiday favorite after I served it at a family gathering and everyone asked for seconds.

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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My family loves making this together every holiday season especially decorating the tree shape with the star topping.

Notes

Great with ketchup BBQ sauce or cranberry sauce as alternate dips. Use the required tools including baking tray sharp knife pastry brush and small mixing bowls for best results.

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.

Close-up of a festive Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, showing the delightful pastry-wrapped sausages. Pin this
Close-up of a festive Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, showing the delightful pastry-wrapped sausages. | plumoven.com

This recipe is quick to prepare and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at holiday parties.

Recipe FAQs

What type of sausages work best?

Mini cocktail sausages are ideal for this dish as they bake evenly and fit perfectly when wrapped in puff pastry strips.

Can I prepare this in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the wrapped sausages on the baking tray ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.

How to achieve a golden pastry finish?

Brushing the pastry with beaten egg before baking ensures a shiny, golden-brown crust.

What are some alternative toppings for the tree?

A star-shaped piece of cheddar cheese or a slice of yellow bell pepper adds a decorative touch at the tree’s top.

What dipping sauces complement the dish?

Honey mustard mixed with mayonnaise and honey creates a sweet and tangy sauce that pairs well, but ketchup or BBQ sauce also work nicely.

Express Pigs Blanket Christmas Tree

Mini sausages wrapped in puff pastry, arranged in a festive tree shape with savory herb butter glaze.

Prep time
15 min
Time to cook
20 min
Total Duration
35 min
Created by Plum Oven Sophie Warren


Level of challenge Easy

Cuisine type American/British

Servings made 8 Portions

Dietary details None specified

Ingredient List

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

How-To Steps

Step 01

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

Step 02

Cut Pastry Strips: Unroll puff pastry and cut into 24 strips, each approximately 0.6 inches wide and 4 inches long.

Step 03

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

Step 04

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

Step 05

Apply Egg Wash: Brush the wrapped sausages with beaten egg for a golden finish.

Step 06

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

Step 07

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

Step 08

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

Step 09

Mix Dipping Sauce: Combine mustard, mayonnaise, and honey in a small bowl and stir until smooth.

Step 10

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

Equipment Needed

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

Allergy Advisories

Review each item for allergens and talk to your healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and mustard; verify sausages and pastry for additional allergens.

Nutrition info (per portion)

This nutritional overview is meant for general information. For medical concerns, ask a professional.
  • Caloric Value: 290
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Proteins: 8 g