The Best Pigs in Blankets with Whiskey and Honey Glaze

Cooked Pigs in blankets on a baking tray next to a bottle of whiskey.

The Best Pigs in Blankets with Whiskey and Honey Glaze

In the realm of British Christmas cuisine, few dishes hold as much tradition and appeal as Pigs in Blankets! We're adding a lip-smacking, easy-peasy whiskey and honey glaze to this time-honoured classic. We'll also be using the slightly larger and more flavourful pork chipolatas instead of cocktail sausages. So, bid adieu to those sad, supermarket substitutes, once and for all.

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5 from 70 votes

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Servings: servings

Calories: 224

Author: Maretha Corbett

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

Equipment

1 medium baking tray

Ingredients

▢ 4 tablespoons honey
▢ 2 tablespoons whiskey - or bourbon
▢ pinch of cayenne pepper (optional but reccomended) - about 1/18 of a teaspoon
▢ 12 pork chipolatas - around a 375g pack
▢ 12 smoked streaky bacon - around a 300g pack
▢ a few sprigs of rosemary (optional)

Instructions

Line a medium-sized baking tray with foil.
Preheat the oven to 180C/356F/gas mark 4.
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, whiskey and cayenne pepper (if you are using it). Set aside.
4 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons whiskey, pinch of cayenne pepper (optional but reccomended)
Place your first piece of bacon on a chopping board. Using a large knife in a scraping motion, stretch the strip of bacon from end to end.
Stretched bacon won't shrink as much during cooking, so don't skip this step.
Tip: We find it easier to lift and hold one side of the bacon, keeping the knife in one place and pulling the bacon from underneath it.
12 smoked streaky bacon
Place a chipolata sausage on one end of the stretched bacon and start rolling it up. Spiral it around the whole sausage.
12 pork chipolatas
Turn the pig and blanket around so the loose end is on the bottom. This will help hold it in place during the first half of the cooking, preventing it from unravveling.
Put the prepared pigs in blankets on the lined baking tray, making sure they're evenly spaced. Leave some space between each sausage so they can cook evenly.
Drizzle spoonfuls of the whiskey and honey glaze over each sausage. Gently rotate each sausage to ensure it's completely coated in the glaze.
Optional: Tuck a few sprigs of rosemary in between for a herby kick.
a few sprigs of rosemary (optional)
Bake for 40-45 minutes, turning and basting them halfway through the cooking process, until they're golden brown and sizzling hot.
Serve with a drizzle of the pan juices for extra flavour.

Notes

Don't skip stretching the bacon first

Be sure to stretch the bacon gently before wrapping it around the sausages. It helps prevent the bacon from shrinking significantly during cooking, ensuring that it stays snugly wrapped around the sausage

Thoroughly mix the whisky and honey

In colder weather, honey can get quite thick, making it harder to mix with the whiskey and cayenne pepper.

If you face this issue, simply warm the honey in the microwave for a few seconds before adding the other ingredients. This will make mixing easier and ensure your glaze is well-blended for your pigs in blankets.

Secure the loose bacon ends

After wrapping the sausages, keep the loose end of the bacon on the bottom to secure it in place during cooking, preventing unravelling.

Don't tear the foil

When using foil to line the tray, avoid poking holes or accidentally ripping it. Even small tears can let the glaze leak through, and you'd lose that wonderful, sticky sauce.

Nutritional data disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is calculated by a third party and we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We try our best to give you the most accurate information, but we do not take responsibility for errors that may be present. Also, the nutritional value of the recipe may change depending on the exact brands and products used. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised advice on your dietary needs.

Nutrition