Express Pigs Blanket Tree

Featured in: Simple Comfort Plates

This festive appetizer features mini cocktail sausages wrapped in flaky puff pastry strips and arranged in a charming Christmas tree shape. The pastry is brushed with beaten egg for a golden finish, baked until crisp and tender, then brushed with a buttery parsley and Parmesan mix. A star-shaped cheddar or pepper crowns the top, while a honey mustard mayo dipping sauce adds tangy complement. Ideal for quick prep and joyful gatherings, it brings a playful and savory option to holiday spreads.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:56:00 GMT
Golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged with tasty pastry, ready for dipping sauce. Pin it
Golden-brown Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree arranged with tasty pastry, ready for dipping sauce. | freshymeals.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 been a hit at every holiday party I brought it to, sparking compliments and requests for the recipe.

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

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
Prepare Pastry:
Unroll the puff pastry and cut into 24 strips each about 1.5 cm wide and 10 cm long.
Wrap Sausages:
Wrap each mini sausage with a strip of pastry slightly overlapping the ends. Place the seam side down.
Arrange Tree:
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.
Egg Wash:
Brush the pastry with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Bake:
Bake for 18–20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Prepare Garnish:
Meanwhile mix the melted butter with parsley and if using Parmesan.
Brush Butter:
Remove the tree from the oven and immediately brush with the butter mixture.
Make Sauce:
For the dipping sauce combine mustard mayonnaise and honey in a small bowl.
Serve:
Serve warm with the dipping sauce on the side.
Flaky puff pastry wraps the mini sausages to create a festive Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree appetizer. Pin it
Flaky puff pastry wraps the mini sausages to create a festive Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree appetizer. | freshymeals.com

This recipe always brings a smile to the family's faces and creates wonderful memories at our holiday celebrations.

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: 290 calories, 19 g total fat, 20 g carbohydrates, 8 g protein

Melted butter glistens on a baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, perfect for a holiday party spread. Pin it
Melted butter glistens on a baked Express Pigs in Blanket Christmas Tree, perfect for a holiday party spread. | freshymeals.com

This appetizer is sure to steal the spotlight at your next party and delight guests with its festive charm.

Recipe FAQs

What type of sausages work best?

Mini cocktail sausages with a firm texture and mild flavor are ideal, ensuring even cooking and easy wrapping.

Can I prepare this ahead?

Yes, assemble the wrapped sausages and keep refrigerated before baking to maintain freshness and ease service.

What alternatives can I use for the star topper?

A star-shaped piece of cheddar cheese or a bell pepper slice adds color and festive flair at the tree's peak.

How should I serve the dipping sauce?

Serve the honey mustard mayo in a small bowl alongside the tree for dipping, enhancing the savory flavors.

Can I make this vegetarian friendly?

Replace meat sausages with vegetarian or plant-based versions to suit different dietary preferences.

Express Pigs Blanket Tree

Mini sausages wrapped in golden puff pastry arranged as a festive holiday tree.

How long to prep
15 min
Time to cook
20 min
Overall time
35 min
Recipe by Freshymeals Lily Carter

Dish category Simple Comfort Plates

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type American/British

Makes 8 Serving size

Dietary details None specified

What you need

Sausages

01 24 mini cocktail sausages (approx. 12.35 oz)

Pastry

01 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry (approx. 8.8 oz)
02 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Garnish

01 2 tbsp melted butter
02 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
03 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
04 1 star-shaped piece of cheddar cheese or yellow bell pepper (for tree topper)

Dipping Sauce

01 4 tbsp Dijon or honey mustard
02 2 tbsp mayonnaise
03 1 tsp honey

Steps to follow

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

Wrap Sausages: Encase each mini sausage with a pastry strip, slightly overlapping ends and placing seam side down.

Step 04

Arrange into Tree Shape: Arrange the wrapped sausages on the tray in a Christmas tree pattern, starting with one sausage at the top and increasing by one per row, up to seven at the base. Place the star-shaped cheddar or pepper at the tree’s apex.

Step 05

Apply Egg Wash: Brush the pastries lightly with the beaten egg to ensure a golden finish.

Step 06

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

Step 07

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

Step 08

Brush with Butter Mixture: Remove from oven and immediately brush the tree with the buttery parsley mixture.

Step 09

Mix Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, mayonnaise, and honey.

Step 10

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

Tools you’ll need

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

Allergy info

Always check each ingredient for allergens and talk to a professional if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk, and mustard. Verify sausage and pastry packaging for additional allergens.

Nutrition info (per portion)

Nutrition details are for reference only, not a substitute for health advice.
  • Calories per serving: 290
  • Fat content: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Protein amount: 8 g