A good Christmas brunch is built the night before: an egg bake or French toast casserole assembled and refrigerated, so the only job Christmas morning is turning on the oven.
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Here is the lineup, so the morning is spent opening gifts instead of standing at the stove.
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Savory Bakes
Assemble tonight, bake in the morning while everyone opens gifts.
Easy Breakfast Casserole (Breakfast Strata)
Cubed bread soaked in an egg and milk custard, then baked with bacon and cheese until puffed and golden. Assemble it the night before and slide it into the oven in the morning.
RECIPE
Gluten Free Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole (Farmer's Casserole)
Frozen hash browns layered with eggs, cheese, and ham, baked into a sliceable brunch dish. It's gluten free and can be prepped the night before.
RECIPE
Spinach Cottage Cheese Egg Bake
A gluten free, low carb, high protein egg bake that mixes and bakes in one dish. Cottage cheese makes it creamy and tender and adds more protein than eggs alone. A tasty make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings.
RECIPE
Cheesy Broccoli Breakfast Bake
This Cheesy Broccoli Breakfast Bake is an easy, family-friendly breakfast made with broccoli, cheddar cheese, eggs, and corn. Perfect for meal prep and busy mornings.
RECIPE
Easy Healthy Vegetable Frittata Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes)
This Healthy Vegetable Frittata dish is packed with loads of extra veggies so you can get at least one portion out of 5-a-day needed. Easy to make during busy weeknights and require less than 30 minutes of your time.
RECIPE
Overnight Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Layers of bread, sausage, cheese, and egg custard assembled the night before and baked straight from the fridge Christmas morning. No morning prep at all.
RECIPE
Photo credit: lifeloveandsugar.com
Sweet Bakes
Also make-ahead, and this is the sweeter half of the table.
Stuffed Cream Cheese French Toast (2 Ways!)
Easy Cream Cheese French Toasts made in two ways - Nutella french toast and Strawberry stuffed french toast will become your family's new favorite, especially for kids! Treat yourself to this delicious restaurant-quality breakfast.
RECIPE
Cherry Cottage Cheese French Toast
This cherry cottage cheese French toast is a high protein breakfast with creamy cottage cheese and juicy cherry jam tucked between slices of toast. Perfect for an easy weekend breakfast or brunch.
RECIPE
Baked Oatmeal Recipe (Healthy!)
Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal is a hearty and sweet breakfast treat that is super easy to make. It can be an easy make-ahead breakfast or a healthier dessert, call it whatever you like, it is delicious!
RECIPE
Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal
This Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal is a healthy, one-pan breakfast that's easy to make, naturally sweetened, and perfect for busy families.
RECIPE
Eggnog French Toast Bake
Cubed bread soaked overnight in an eggnog custard and baked with a crunchy topping. Tastes like French toast and eggnog had a baby, in the best way.
RECIPE
Photo credit: justsotasty.com
Homemade Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
A soft yeasted dough you shape and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning and top with cream cheese icing while still warm.
RECIPE
Photo credit: sallysbakingaddiction.com
Breads and Muffins
Something to have ready on the counter for early risers.
Orange Cranberry Loaf Cake
Tender and moist cranberry orange bread is perfect when you need a sweet fix at any time of the day. This easy bread recipe is loaded with fresh orange and cranberry flavor and topped with a zesty glaze!
RECIPE
Gluten Free Apple Scones
These moist and crumbly Apple Scones are easy teatime snacks made of fresh apples flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. They are brushed with cream and sprinkled with sugar before baking to give them a sweet and golden finish! It is a gluten-free, warm-spiced pastry that you can enjoy any time of the day.
RECIPE
Moist Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping
Moist pumpkin bread topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel, turning a classic fall loaf into something closer to a gourmet dessert bread.
RECIPE
Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Muffins
These Healthy Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Muffins are refined sugar-free, made with whole wheat flour, ripe bananas, and maple syrup for the perfect balance of flavor and nutrition. Simple, healthy, and easy!
RECIPE
Fruit and Sides
Bacon, potatoes, and a little fruit keep the table from being all bread and eggs.
Air Fryer Bacon
This easy Air Fryer Bacon recipe takes just 15 minutes and makes perfectly crispy bacon every time-no grease splatter or mess!
RECIPE
Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes With Parmesan
Air-fried fingerling potatoes are a delicious alternative to homemade French fries that you can enjoy as the perfect side dish alongside brussels sprouts and other side dishes for Thanksgiving or Christmas. This air fryer fingerling potatoes recipe can also be used for a midweek family dinner alongside chicken breast, chicken wings, or pork tenderloin.
RECIPE
Crispy Potato Salmon Blinis
Crispy Potato with Salmon is an easy breakfast or appetizer with crunchy potatoes, creamy yogurt sauce, cucumber, and savory salmon. Perfect for parties or busy weeknights!
RECIPE
Fried Apples With Cinnamon
A delicious recipe for fried apples with cinnamon, made the old-fashioned way just like we love it. Great to use in your favorite sweet or savory recipes and simply enjoyed on its own with a scoop of ice cream.
RECIPE
Cranberry Overnight Oats
Spice up your morning oatmeal with these Cranberry Overnight Oats! Prepare individual jars before bedtime, and in the morning, you'll wake up to a delightfully satisfying and festive breakfast waiting for you. These creamy oats are made with Greek yogurt and without chia seeds, ideal for enjoying throughout the cranberry season.
RECIPE
Drinks
Hot chocolate and lattes for the morning, cocktails and mocktails for later.
Whipped Coffee Recipe
Iced Dalgona Coffee is a quick and easy way to enjoy a barista-quality iced beverage at home using 5 simple ingredients (including hot water and ice) in just 5 minutes. This creamy and luscious whipped coffee is made of fluffy bitter-sweet foam over ice-cold milk. So refreshing!
RECIPE
Red Velvet Hot Chocolate
White chocolate melted into warm milk with cocoa and a touch of red coloring, topped with whipped cream. A bright, festive twist on classic hot chocolate.
RECIPE
Photo credit: cookrita.com
Gingerbread Latte
A coffee-shop gingerbread latte made at home in about 10 minutes, with a homemade gingerbread syrup, espresso, and steamed milk. Easy, family-friendly, and works with dairy or oat milk.
RECIPE
Photo credit: cookrita.com
Sunrise Mocktail
Make this refreshing tequila sunrise mocktail recipe in just 10 minutes with 5 ingredients! This non-alcoholic brunch drink is also perfect for kids.
RECIPE
Frozen Peach Bellini
Enjoy a refreshing Frozen Peach Bellini made with ripe frozen peaches and sparkling wine. Perfect for summer parties or brunch!
RECIPE
Frozen Gin & Tonic With Raspberries
Frozen Gin & Tonic With Raspberries is a refreshing and tasty summer drink. The combination of frozen gin, tonic water, and raspberries creates a deliciously cool and fruity cocktail that is sure to be a hit at any summertime gathering.
RECIPE
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
A cosmopolitan-inspired sipper with vodka, cranberry juice, and a top-off of chilled champagne. Easy to batch in a pitcher for a crowd.
RECIPE
Photo credit: inspiredtaste.net
My Best Tips for Christmas Brunch
The whole point is a morning where you are not the one working the hardest.
- Assemble the night before, always. Egg bakes and French toast casseroles need time in the fridge to soak anyway, so making them the night before is not optional prep, it is the actual method.
- Cut fruit the night before too. Store it covered in the fridge so it is ready to set out without any morning knife work.
- Bake the savory dish first if oven space is tight. It usually takes longer, so start it, then slide in anything sweet once there is room.
- Let a casserole sit 5 minutes before serving. Fresh out of the oven it is too hot to cut cleanly. A short rest firms it up.
Christmas Brunch FAQs
What can I make ahead for Christmas brunch?
Egg casseroles, French toast bakes, and cinnamon roll dough can all be assembled the night before and baked fresh in the morning.
How long does a breakfast casserole take to bake?
Most run 45 to 60 minutes at 350, longer if it came straight from the fridge. Give it 20 to 30 minutes on the counter first if you can.
What do you serve at a holiday brunch besides eggs?
A bread or sweet bake, fresh fruit, bacon or sausage, and a drink. One savory dish plus one sweet dish covers most crowds.
Before You Go
For dinner later that day see Christmas Dinner Ideas, and for cranberry recipes beyond this cocktail, Cranberry Recipes Beyond the Sauce.
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