Description
Christmas Sausage Rolls
Bring festive cheer to your holiday parties with these Christmas Sausage Rolls! A flaky puff pastry hugs savory sausage meat, flavorful stuffing, and a sweet cranberry sauce for the ultimate seasonal bite. Perfect for buffets, snacks, or even as a holiday breakfast treat! Easy to make, freeze, and reheat, these sausage rolls will steal the show at your Christmas celebrations.
375 g Puff pastry
6 Sausages (meat removed from casing)
40 g Stuffing mix
75 ml Boiling water
3 tbsp Cranberry sauce
1 Egg (whisked)
1 tbsp Poppy seeds
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F.
2. Mix stuffing with boiling water and let cool. Combine with sausage meat.
3. Roll out puff pastry and layer sausage mix with cranberry sauce. Fold and seal.
4. Brush with egg, sprinkle poppy seeds, and cut into 16 pieces.
5. Bake for 25-30 mins until golden brown.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Kcal: 186 per roll
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed instructions for perfect sausage rolls every time. First, preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine the 40g of stuffing mix with 75ml of boiling water, stir, and set aside to cool completely. This step is crucial to prevent the pastry from becoming soggy. While it cools, remove the sausage meat from the casings and place it in a mixing bowl. Once the stuffing has cooled, add it to the sausage meat and mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into a large rectangle, roughly 30cm x 40cm. Shape the sausage mixture into two long logs and place them down the center of the pastry lengthwise, leaving a gap between them. Create a shallow indentation along the top of each sausage log and spoon 1.5 tablespoons of cranberry sauce into each. Carefully fold one side of the pastry over the sausage, then the other, sealing the edges by pressing down firmly. Use a sharp knife to cut the long roll into 16 even pieces. Transfer them to the baking sheet, seam-side down.
Serving Suggestions
These festive rolls are incredibly versatile. Serve them warm from the oven as the star of a holiday party buffet alongside other finger foods. For a more substantial meal, pair them with a crisp winter salad or roasted root vegetables. They also make a fantastic holiday breakfast or brunch item with a side of scrambled eggs. Offer extra cranberry sauce, a rich gravy, or a spicy mustard on the side for dipping.
How-to Summary
In summary: hydrate and cool the stuffing mix, combine with sausage meat, shape into logs on rolled-out pastry, add cranberry sauce, seal, cut, egg wash, sprinkle with seeds, and bake at 200°C/400°F for 25-30 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these sausage rolls ahead of time? Absolutely. You can assemble the rolls, place them on the baking sheet, and freeze them unbaked. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
What type of sausage is best? Use a good-quality pork sausage with a high meat content for the best flavor and texture. Herby or sage & onion sausages work particularly well.
Can I use homemade cranberry sauce? Yes, homemade sauce is a great option. Ensure it is thick and not too runny to prevent leakage during baking.
How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store cooled rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F for about 10 minutes to restore crispness.
Can I substitute the poppy seeds? Certainly. Sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or a simple flaky sea salt are excellent alternatives for topping.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these pitfalls for the best results: 1) Not letting the hydrated stuffing cool before mixing, which can cook the meat prematurely and create steam that makes the pastry soggy. 2) Overfilling the pastry with cranberry sauce, causing it to burst during baking. 3) Not sealing the pastry edges firmly enough, leading to rolls that unravel in the oven. 4) Placing the rolls too close together on the baking sheet, which prevents proper browning and crispness.
Conclusion
These Christmas Sausage Rolls are the perfect fusion of savory, sweet, and festive flavors, encapsulated in deliciously flaky pastry. They are surprisingly simple to prepare, yet impressive enough to be the highlight of any holiday gathering. By following this enhanced guide and tips, you can avoid common errors and create a foolproof, crowd-pleasing treat that embodies the spirit of the season. Happy baking and happy holidays!