Pin it A festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring golden, flaky mini sausage rolls arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree—perfect for holiday gatherings.
This recipe became a family favorite at our holiday parties, loved by both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- Pastry: 2 sheets (approx. 500 g) ready-rolled puff pastry
- Filling: 400 g quality pork sausage meat, 1 small onion, finely chopped, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt
- Assembly & Finish: 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash), 2 tbsp sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional), Fresh rosemary sprigs (for decoration), 1 cherry tomato or star-shaped cheese slice (for the tree topper)
- Dipping Sauce: 4 tbsp wholegrain or Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a bowl, mix sausage meat, onion, parsley, Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
- Step 3:
- Unroll the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet lengthwise into 4 strips (total 8 strips).
- Step 4:
- Divide the sausage mixture into 8 equal portions. Spread one portion along the length of each pastry strip, forming a sausage shape.
- Step 5:
- Roll the pastry over the filling to enclose it, pinching the seam to seal. Place seam-side down and cut each long roll into 3 equal pieces, yielding 24 mini rolls.
- Step 6:
- Arrange the mini rolls on the prepared baking tray in a Christmas tree shape: start with 1 at the top, then 2 beneath, 3 below, and so on, forming rows (6 at the base), with 2 at the bottom as the trunk.
- Step 7:
- Brush each roll with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
- Step 8:
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
- Step 9:
- Mix mustard and honey for the dipping sauce.
- Step 10:
- Once baked, cool slightly. Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs as branches and a cherry tomato or cheese star at the top. Serve with the honey mustard dip.
Pin it Watching the kids’ faces light up when they see the sausage rolls shaped like a Christmas tree always makes this recipe special.
Tips for Vegetarian Version
Substitute the pork sausage meat with vegetarian sausage or a mushroom-lentil filling to cater to vegetarian guests.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with extra dips like cranberry sauce or sweet chili to add flavor variety.
Storage and Make-Ahead
You can assemble and chill the rolls ahead of time, then bake just before serving to save time on the day.
Pin it Enjoy crafting this delightful appetizer that’s sure to impress your holiday guests.
Recipe FAQs
- → What pastry is best for these sausage rolls?
Ready-rolled puff pastry works best, providing a flaky and golden crust after baking.
- → Can I prepare these sausage rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble and chill them before baking to save time on the day of serving.
- → What filling ingredients enhance the flavor?
Quality pork sausage meat combined with onion, parsley, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper creates a rich and savory filling.
- → How do I arrange the rolls into a Christmas tree shape?
Place mini rolls in rows starting with one at the top, increasing each row down, with two rolls at the bottom as the trunk.
- → What dips pair well with these mini bites?
A honey mustard sauce complements the savory rolls beautifully, but cranberry or sweet chili dips are also great options.