Pin This 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 always brightens up our Christmas party with its fun presentation and delicious taste.
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 This Our family loves gathering around the table to assemble this festive tree together each year.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with cranberry sauce or sweet chili dips for added flavor variety.
Dietary Variations
For a vegetarian version, replace sausage meat with mushroom-lentil filling.
Storage Tips
Assemble rolls ahead and chill; bake just before serving for maximum freshness.
Pin This This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a festive centerpiece guaranteed to impress your guests.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of pastry works best for these rolls?
Ready-rolled puff pastry provides the perfect flaky, golden texture that complements the savory filling beautifully.
- → Can I prepare the rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble and chill the rolls before baking. Just bake them fresh before serving for the best texture.
- → Are there vegetarian alternatives for the filling?
Vegetarian sausage meat or a mushroom and lentil mixture can be used to replicate the savory filling without meat.
- → How should the rolls be arranged to form the tree shape?
Place the mini rolls on the tray in rows, starting with one at the top, increasing by one row each time, then add two at the bottom as the trunk.
- → What dipping sauces complement these bites?
A honey mustard dip is included for sweetness and tang. Additional dips like cranberry or sweet chili can also enhance flavors.
- → Can I use different seeds for topping?
Sesame or poppy seeds both provide a nice crunchy texture and attractive finish when sprinkled on before baking.