Easy Kolache Christmas Wreath

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Hillshire Brands Company. All opinions are entirely my own.

It’s time to start the Christmas celebration planning!  It will be here before we know it.  What’s a great celebration with out some great food?

When it comes to entertaining and celebrating, I want to spend as much time as possible with family and friends BUT I also want to serve them great food.  So, when planning, I start early, look for easy dishes, using convenient, simple ingredients that everyone will enjoy, and save time by visiting my local Walmart for one-stop shopping.  Being able to pick up everything I need without running to different stores is the best!   

One of my go-to ingredients for any party or event is Hillshire Farm® Beef Lit’l Smokies®.  They can be served in any number of sauces, wrapped in a biscuit, crescent roll or even bacon, grilled, baked or done in the crock pot.  I’m pretty sure I could stop by the refrigerated section of Walmart, pick up a few packages and plan a whole party menu using nothing but Lit’l Smokies smoked sausages!  AND, in my experience, no matter how many I make, at the end of the day…there’s NONE left.  People love them!      

Today, I’m taking probably the best known Lit’l Smokies smoked sausages recipe to the next level…from good to great.  I’m using the Lit’l Smokies smoked sausages to make a Texas favorite with a holiday theme….Easy Kolache Christmas Wreath.  

Kol-WHAT-ches? You may be asking.  Ku-LA-cheese. (That’s plural, Ku-LA-chee for just one, but you can’t eat just one, so go with the plural)

Never heard of them?  That’s OK, I hadn’t either until we moved to Texas.  They’re actually a traditional Czech pastry (made from scratch) and filled with fruit or sausage.  I know, not what usually comes to mind when you think “Texas” food.  However, we have a rich Czech heritage here and are thankful they’ve passed down this wonderful food tradition.  Like most things, Texas has put its own spin on the Kolache by adding a little jalapeno pepper.

Making your own dough can be a little time-consuming so this recipe is what I like to call “semi-homemade”.

Everything needed for these Kolaches (except the jalapeno) can be found in the refrigerated section at your local Walmart… Lit’l Smokies smoked sausages, Great Value canned biscuits and Great Value sliced cheddar cheese.  They only take a few minutes to assemble and bake.  They’re perfect for an easy Christmas morning breakfast, brunch or party tray.

The “wreath” part is optional, just a festive way to serve.  However, you many want to work quickly…these will go FAST!    

Here’s the Recipe:  

• 1 package Hillshire Farm® Lit’l Smokies® smoked sausages
• Great Value canned biscuits (4 pack)
• Great Value Sliced Cheddar Cheese (or Pepper Jack if you like it more spicy)
• 2-4 jalapeno peppers- depending on the size
• Optional: 2 slices bacon for bow

If making optional bow:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (or whatever temp biscuit label recommends)

Lay one slice of bacon on baking sheet and place 1 smoked sausage about 1/3 of the way from each end

Fold end over to meet in the middle

Flip so that seems side is down

Take second slice of bacon, place underneath and fold over center of first piece, between smoked sausages

Secure with a toothpick

Can cut ends at an angle to allow it to resemble ribbon

Place in oven and allow to cook until bacon is set and crisp

Remove sausages before placing on wreath

*I recommend using gloves when handling the peppers*

Wash each pepper and slice in half length-wise

Carefully remove ribs and seeds from each half

Slice each pepper into match-sticks

Slice cheese into 3-4 strips per slice

Place one biscuit on work surface and flatten slightly

*Keep extra cans in fridge until ready to use

Place one strip of cheese in the middle of the biscuit- fold over so it doesn’t hang off if needed

Top with smoke sausage and place one strip of jalapeno beside the smoked sausage

Roll biscuit around ingredients and place on baking sheet, seam side down

Bake in preheated oven 10-15 minutes or until biscuits are fully cooked and golden brown 

Assembly:  

Place Kolaches side by side around the edge of a round platter or plate

Remove sausages and toothpick from bacon bow (go ahead and try those…no one’s looking, I don’t judge!)

Place bacon bow at the top of Kolache circle and serve!

If you like to give food gift …..

Package Kolaches in a festive box and take them to friends and neighbors

See more great holiday recipes at #Joy2TheMeal!

For all the Pinterest lovers…..

Check out more amazing holiday ideas on the Memorable Holidays Pinterest board! 

Easy Kolache Christmas Wreath

2015-11-10 12:34:12

Savory Lit'l Smokies wrapped in a fluffy biscuit, spiced up with jalapeno and cheese, made into a festive wreath for a perfect Christmas themed dish.

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Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

30 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

30 min

Ingredients

1. 1 package Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies®
2. Great Value canned biscuits (4 pack)
3. Great Value Sliced Cheddar Cheese (or Pepper Jack if you like it more spicy)
4. 2-4 jalapeno peppers- depending on the size
5. Optional: 2 slices bacon for bow

If making optional bow

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (or whatever temp biscuit label recommends)
2. Lay one slice of bacon on baking sheet and place 1 Lit’l Smokie® about 1/3 of the way from each end
3. Fold end over to meet in the middle
4. Flip so that seems side is down
5. Take second slice of bacon, place underneath and fold over center of first piece, between Lit’l Smokies
6. Secure with a toothpick
7. Can cut ends at an angle to allow it to resemble ribbon
8. Place in oven and allow to cook until bacon is set and crisp
9. Remove sausages before placing on wreath
10. Wash each pepper and slice in half length-wise
11. Carefully remove ribs and seeds from each half
12. Slice each pepper into match-sticks
13. Slice cheese into 3-4 strips per slice
14. Place one biscuit on work surface and flatten slightly
15. Place one strip of cheese in the middle of the biscuit- fold over so it doesn’t hang off if needed
16. Top with Lit’l Smokie® and place one strip of jalapeno beside
17. Roll biscuit around ingredients and place on baking sheet, seam side down
18. Bake in preheated oven 10-15 minutes or until biscuits are fully cooked and golden brown

Assembly

1. Place Kolaches side by side around the edge of a round platter or plate
2. Remove sausages and toothpick from bacon bow
3. Place bacon bow at the top of Kolache circle and serve!

Notes

1. I recommend using gloves when handling the peppers
2. Keep extra cans of biscuits in fridge until ready to use

O Taste and See https://otasteandseeblog.com/