#ad wreathed in smiles #LoveThisHolidayTwist

This post is written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. #LoveThisHolidayTwist #CollectiveBias

I think I always got pretty excited about decorating for Christmas, but now that I have my own home, those feelings are amplified.

I have several ornaments and decorations from my childhood that still get put to use--there's a sentimental attachment there that can't be broken (though my husband might wish otherwise). I also have new items, often purchased with my husband, and those are exceedingly special too. Yep, I get pretty gung-ho about the holidays.

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, holiday time for my family means lots of good food. This year, I wanted to give the holiday a twist and contribute something extra festive to reflect my excitement about the occasion. I was able to show my love for my family and the season by sprucing up a somewhat dated recipe with Tyson®  products from Walmart.

Hillshire Farm®  Lit’l Smokies®  smoked sausages are often a staple at family gatherings, whether they're swimming in a sweet and savory sauce in your aunt's slow cooker or wrapped in crescent dough and piled high on a plate. I wanted to combine those two ideas into something even more delicious and extra fun. I strategically placed the crescent-wrapped smoked sausages in the shape of a wreath, enhancing their flavor with some mustard and rosemary. I also made a sweet and savory cranberry barbecue sauce for dipping purposes. 

Why cranberry sauce? Well, it seems that around Thanksgiving every year, I become obsessed with cranberries and that carries over well into Christmas. Plus, you might even still have leftover sauce...no judgment here! However, if you get your fill of cranberries on Turkey Day, feel free to use ketchup, plain ol' barbecue sauce, or something else entirely!

Let Walmart help you spend more time around the table. Get everything you need to make this show-stopper in one stop, from ingredients to flourishes!

Not totally unrelated (pork is a common theme!), one of my father-in-law's traditions is to make everyone pancakes for breakfast at some point during any overnight gathering. Bacon is always included as well, and Wright® Brand Hickory Smoked is not to be missed!

Wreathed Pigs in Blankets with Cranberry Barbecue Dipping Sauce 
(printable recipe) 
Serves 15-20 
Ingredients: 
Wreath:

• 30 Hillshire Farm®  Lit’l Smokies®  smoked sausages
• 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1-2 tablespoons Dijon or yellow mustard
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Sauce:

• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce, homemade or store bought
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line large cookie sheet (preferably without sides) with parchment paper. 
Unroll dough on work surface, sprinkling surface with flour if necessary. Press into 13x8-inch rectangle--try to be accurate, even if it means breaking out the ruler! 
With a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut dough into 15 equal squares (about 2-1/2 inches each). Cut each square diagonally in half to make 30 triangles.
Squirt a very small amount of mustard onto each triangle.
Place one Lit’l Smokies® smoked sausage on the short side of dough triangle, and roll it up. Do this for all remaining smoked sausages. 
Place the wrapped sausages in a circle with sides touching on the prepared cookie sheet with every other wrapped sausage extending out slightly. 
Leave about 6 inches for opening in center of wreath. 
Brush the tops of the dough with beaten egg and sprinkle with rosemary. 
Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. 
To make the sauce, combine cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, onion powder, and pepper in a small saucepan; heat over low heat stirring until smooth and hot. Serve in a bowl placed in the center of the wreath.

Alternative option:
Line TWO cookie sheets and make two smaller wreaths. Simply arrange 15 pieces into two small circles instead of one large one and proceed as directed. These smaller wreaths will have a much smaller opening, but who says you have to put anything in the middle? That delicious sauce is just fine in a bowl to the side.