If you’re planning on spending the holiday opening scores of presents and watching all the Christmas movies your DVR has room for, then you’ll need to load up on some serious sustenance beforehand. So why not make an event out of it with one (or more) of these holiday brunch stars? Whether you opt for stratas or scones, you’ll win over the entire family (and have an instant pass on washing that sink full of dishes).
1. Egg, Cheese, and Chive Tartlets
These open-faced breakfast tartlets have the enviable ability to be impressively elegant yet effortless to make, thanks to frozen puff-pastry shells. With their spruce-colored chives, sunny eggs, and (optional) crispy pancetta, they’ll look like edible presents at Christmas breakfast. Get our Egg, Cheese, and Chive Tartlets recipe.
2. Baked Fruit Three Ways
After a month of holiday festivities filled with the likes of eggnog, roasts, and cookies, a fruit-filled breakfast will be a breath of fresh air. But don’t mistake healthier for boring: Brûléed brown sugar and woven puff-pastry toppings promise to keep things exciting.
Photo and recipe from A Beautiful Mess
3. Rabanada
In Brazil, rabanada, the country’s version of French toast, is served as a holiday dessert, not unlike pumpkin pie or Christmas pudding. Break Brazilian tradition and have it first thing in the morning; the cinnamon-sugar-coated, crispy-on-the-outside, custardy-on-the-inside treat will surely start your day off on the right foot. Get our Rabanada recipe.
4. Chocolate-Cinnamon “Babkallah”
Regardless of whether you’re celebrating the lighting of the menorah, the birth of Christ, or simply gingerbread latte season, we urge you to spring for this chocolate- and cinnamon-flecked loaf of goodness, a babka-challah hybrid that beats out the overhyped croissant-donut any day.
Photo and recipe from Bon Appétit
5. Gluten-Free Banana Blueberry Waffles
Hosting houseguests who are gluten intolerant? You’ll make them (and anyone who’s a breakfast lover, really) very, very happy when you serve waffles filled with bananas and blueberries. Get our Gluten-Free Banana Blueberry Waffles recipe.
6. Panettone Christmas Bread Pudding
Take bread pudding to festive heights by replacing plain white bread with a seasonal favorite, panettone, which is studded with candied citrus and raisins for a fruitcake-like flavor.
Photo and recipe from Serious Eats
Rich, savory Black Forest ham and Gruyère cheese scones can be easily made ahead and baked the morning of for an indulgent holiday treat. Get our Ham and Cheese Scones recipe.
8. Sweet Potato and Spinach Breakfast Strata
With its layers of whole-wheat sourdough, fontina cheese, sweet potato, and herbs, this breakfast casserole is guaranteed to appeal to vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
Photo and recipe from The Kitchn
Eggnog-drenched French toast not only adds a bit of the holidays to breakfast, but it also happens to be a really great way to use up all that leftover nog. Get our Eggnog French Toast recipe.
10. Gluten-Free Cranberry-Pecan Muffins
Got half an hour? Then you have time to surprise loved ones with these seasonal fruit and nut muffins for breakfast. Bonus: Extras make ideal on-the-go snacks. Get our Gluten-Free Cranberry-Pecan Muffins recipe.
11. Ham and Cheese Advent Wreath
If you truly want brunch to impress, set aside some extra time to make your own yeasted bread and braid it into a holiday wreath with ham and cheese. Make it even more substantial by slipping a little egg in there, too.
Photo and recipe from Alice and the Mock Turtle.
For more tips, hacks, and recipes, check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas and Holiday Entertaining Headquarters.
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