Mini Crescent Dogs Christmas Tree
A Mini Crescent Dogs Christmas Tree is for holiday snacking. Make with cocktail-sized smokies, wrapped with cheese and tender crescent rolls! This post is sponsored by Cabot Cheese.
Friends, just like that, the holiday season is here! I mean, it feels like it was just Christmas last year. Today I’m sharing a very fun Mini Crescent Dogs Christmas Tree, super easy for Christmas, but of course for any game day, too.
Mini Crescent Dogs Christmas Tree
These crowd-pleasing pigs in a blanket are the perfect party finger food, and always give you reason to celebrate! You may also love my Making a Christmas Tree with Holiday Sweets post or this Candy Cane Coffee Cake!
Crowd or no crowd this year, this appetizer is cheesy good. It can be made on a smaller scale, or on The Big Board (26-inch board), a spread of happiness for sure!
Lit’l Smokies wrapped in crescent rolls
Even if it is just your little family eating together, get the kids or grandkids in the kitchen to help you make a Christmas tree from our favorite snacks: Lit’l Smokies wrapped in crescent rolls. And this time we added Cabot cheese! Oh my goodness, I will never make crescent dogs any other way now. Cheese just makes the flavors pop!
Ingredients for Crescent Dogs:
- Crescent rolls
- Lit’l Smokie sausages (can also substitute with hot dogs or kielbasa cut into small pieces)
- Caboot “Vermont extra sharp cheddar cheese”
For me, nothing screams “festive” like a pretty snack board..
Try it out and let me know what you think!
How to make mini crescent dogs
Otherwise known as pigs in a blanket, you can use puff pastry or crescent rolls for this recipe.
- Make ahead of time and keep in the fridge until right before serving! Most delicious served warm (but they don’t have to be screaming hot).
- Slice the Cabot cheese in thin, narrow slices—easy for rolling.
- Unroll the crescent dough on a piece of parchment paper (so it doesn’t stick). Drain the Smokies (remove the juice), and set aside.
- Pinch together two of the crescent triangles (keep side by side) to create a square. With a sharp knife, cut down the square lengthwise to create 1/2 inch strips of dough.
- Slice the cheese into thin slices that will fit on the crescent strip (should be slightly thinner than the strip), and place on the dough, followed by a Lit’l Smokie.
- Roll the Smokie up in the dough and move to the baking sheet. When all Smokies are rolled up, spray with either cooking spray or oil, and sprinkle with the bagel seasoning. Bake!
- Cheese will ooze out a bit when baking, but that makes this recipe the BEST.
- We love sprinkling them with “everything but the bagel” seasoning before baking.
What sauces to serve:
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Barbecue sauce
- Honey or spicy mustard
- Ranch dressing
What’s on the board?
- Mini Crescent Dogs (makes a lot!)
- Block of
- Caboot “Vermont extra sharp cheddar cheese” (for the tree base)
- Raincrisp crackers
- Honey Crisp apple
- Granny Smith apple, sliced
- Turkey salami (we buy at Trader Joe’s)
- Herbed salami, sliced
- Blackberries
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh rosemary
TIP: Use parchment paper under the “tree” if Smokies are hot, when placing on the board.
TIP: If you make ahead, it’s easy to reheat them in the microwave for 10-20 seconds, or pop them back into the oven to get the cheese melted. SO GOOD.
Check out THE BIG BOARD (3 sizes) to buy!
Whether you will be celebrating with family or friends, or doing a Zoom holiday dinner—be inspired!
It’s always fun to make a Christmas appetizer that is festive and delicious!
Get the Recipe:
Mini Crescent Dogs Christmas Tree
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz can refrigerated crescent dough
- 2 12 oz pkg Lit'l Smokies (cocktail sausages)
- 2 8 oz Caboot “Vermont extra sharp cheddar cheese” , one for the mini dogs, and one for the base of the tree
- Cooking spray or sprayed olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. “everything but the bagel” seasoning blend, we buy at Trader Joe’s
- 2 pkg Raincrisp crackers
- 1 Honey Crisp apple, sliced
- 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced
- 8 oz turkey salami, sliced
- 4 oz herbed salami, sliced
- 3 cups blackberries
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 pkg fresh rosemary, garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll the crescent dough on a piece of parchment paper (so it doesn’t stick). Drain the Smokies (remove the juice), and set aside.
- Pinch together two of the crescent triangles (keep side by side) to create a square. With a sharp knife, cut down the square lengthwise to create 1/2 inch strips of dough.
- Slice 8 oz cheddar cheese into thin slices that will fit on the crescent strip (should be slightly thinner than the strip), and place on the dough, followed by a Lit'l Smokie.
- Roll the Smokie up in the dough and move to the baking sheet. When all Smokies are rolled up, spray with either cooking spray or oil, and sprinkle with the bagel seasoning..
- Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and serve.
- To make the board, place an 8 oz package of cheese (keep in its package or not), for the base of the tree. Start building the tree with mini dogs, all the way up, until you get to the top of the tree!
- Place rosemary sprigs across the tree and add cherry tomatoes.
- Fill in open areas with apples, crackers, and other meats.
- Place your favorite dips (mustard and ketcup) in 2 small bowls and place on the board.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
This post is sponsored by Cabot Cheese; as always all opinions are my own!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
