Express Pigs Blanket Tree

Featured in: Baked Warm Goodness

This festive dish highlights mini sausages wrapped in golden puff pastry, arranged in a charming Christmas tree shape. With a quick prep of 15 minutes and a 20-minute bake, it delivers a warm, savory treat perfect for holiday gatherings. A buttery parsley mixture brushed atop adds extra flavor and shine, while a honey mustard dipping sauce complements the savory bites. The star-topped tree provides a visual centerpiece, making it a joyful addition to any party spread.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:00:00 GMT
Golden-baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged with tasty wrapped sausages ready to eat. Save to Pinterest
Golden-baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged with tasty wrapped sausages ready to eat. | messlitreats.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 dish quickly became a favorite at our family holiday parties, loved by kids and adults alike for its fun shape and tasty 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

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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| messlitreats.com

Our family always gathers around the kitchen while this tree bakes, sharing stories and anticipation for the delicious treat.

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

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

A festive Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, showing perfectly puffed pastry around savory sausages. Save to Pinterest
A festive Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, showing perfectly puffed pastry around savory sausages. | messlitreats.com

This appetizer adds festive cheer and delicious flavor to any holiday gathering making celebrations extra special.

Common Recipe Questions

What type of pastry is best for wrapping the sausages?

Ready-rolled puff pastry works best due to its flaky texture and easy handling, creating a golden, crispy wrap.

Can I prepare the wrapped sausages in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the wrapped sausages beforehand and store them refrigerated until ready to bake.

How do you arrange the sausages to form the Christmas tree shape?

Start with one sausage at the top row, then increase each row by one sausage to form a triangular shape, finishing with seven at the base.

What are some good dipping sauce options to serve alongside?

A honey mustard sauce blends sweet and tangy notes, but alternatives like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or cranberry sauce also pair well.

Can this dish be made vegetarian?

Yes, using vegetarian sausages allows the same flavor and presentation while catering to different diets.

Express Pigs Blanket Tree

Mini sausages wrapped in flaky puff pastry arranged as a festive tree with flavorful dipping sauce.

Prep Duration
15 min
Cooking Duration
20 min
Overall Duration
35 min
Created by messli Sophie Lane


Skill Required Easy

Cuisine Origin American/British

Portion Yield 7 People served

Diet Preferences None specified

List of Ingredients

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

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare tray: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cut puff pastry: Unroll the puff pastry sheet and slice into 24 strips, each measuring roughly 0.6 inch wide and 4 inches long.

Step 03

Wrap sausages: Encase each mini sausage with a pastry strip, overlapping the ends slightly, and place each with the seam side down.

Step 04

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

Step 05

Apply egg wash: Brush the wrapped sausages generously with beaten egg to ensure a golden finish.

Step 06

Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Step 07

Prepare butter garnish: While baking, combine melted butter with finely chopped parsley and optional Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.

Step 08

Brush with butter mixture: Remove the baked tree from the oven and immediately brush it with the prepared butter mixture.

Step 09

Make dipping sauce: In a small bowl, stir together Dijon or honey mustard, mayonnaise, and honey until smooth.

Step 10

Serve warm: Present the Christmas tree warm alongside the dipping sauce for serving.

Kitchen Tools Needed

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

Allergy Warnings

Check all listed ingredients for allergens. Reach out to a healthcare provider if you aren't sure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and possible mustard allergens; verify individual ingredient labels.

Nutrition per serving

Nutritional details are just for your reference. Always talk to a doctor for specific health advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 290
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Proteins: 8 g