12 Christmas Brunch Ideas That Will Wow Your Holiday Guests

Our go-to recipes for a cozy Christmas morning.

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Photo:

Jen Causey

On Christmas Day, it’s special to gather around the table for brunch, but it can be overwhelming to make something nice in the morning when there are a million other things going on. We compiled a list of 12 Christmas brunch ideas that will wow your guests while not asking too much of you before you’ve had your fill of coffee. And for anything that seems too complicated (cinnamon rolls, for example), go ahead and get your loved ones involved!

01 of 12

Cherry Berry Breakfast Custard

Cherry Berry Breakfast Custard Recipe
Greg DuPree

This recipe is inspired by clafoutis, a French dish with fruit baked into a flan-like batter. Use whatever frozen fruit you prefer, but we like using dark sweet cherries and mixed berries. Colorful and just-sweet-enough, this custard is the perfect centerpiece for Christmas brunch.

02 of 12

Spinach and Parmesan Dutch Baby

Spinach and Parmesan Dutch Baby Recipe
Victor Protasio

A Dutch baby is a big, puffy pancake baked in the oven that we’d happily eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This variation has Parmesan and black pepper in the batter, with wilted spinach on top. Serve with a side of bacon for a complete breakfast.

03 of 12

Gingerbread Pancakes With Pears and Yogurt

Gingerbread Pancakes With Pears and Yogurt
Antonis Achilleos

Elevate pancake mix with gingerbread flavors for a wintry breakfast that comes together quickly and tastes totally homemade. Sliced pears and vanilla yogurt are the perfect accompaniment to the warmly spiced pancakes.

04 of 12

French Toast Casserole With Pecans and Raisins

French Toast Casserole
Charles Masters

This comforting casserole can be prepped the night before by soaking the bread in advance. Jazz it up with cinnamon, vanilla, pecans, and raisins for flavor and crunch. Bring the whole baking dish to the table and set a pitcher of warm maple syrup alongside for a perfect brunch.

05 of 12

Italian Baked Eggs

chistmas-brunch-italian-baked-eggs

Jen Causey

From start to finish, this baked egg dish takes around 25 minutes to cook, which makes it an easy brunch to whip up on Christmas morning. The tomato sauce gets its savory depth from sausage, onion, garlic, and oregano, and crispy, cheesy baguette slices are the best vessel to soak up every last bite.

06 of 12

Breakfast Wreath

Breakfast Wreath
Greg DuPree

Arrange crescent roll triangles in a circle to make a beautiful, festive wreath—perfect for the holidays. With bacon, egg, cheese, and vegetables, this wreath makes for a nourishing meal that will delight your guests.

07 of 12

Sunny-Side-Up Sheet Pan Breakfast

Sunny-Side-Up Sheet Pan Breakfast Recipe
Greg DuPree

This hands-off breakfast seems too good to be true; on a single sheet pan, you can cook potatoes, sunny-side-up eggs, and spinach, along with crispy slices of prosciutto. Serve with a pile of toast for dipping into the jammy yolks and making open-faced sandwiches.

08 of 12

Hasselback Challah French Toast

Hasselback Challah French Toast

You’ve probably heard of Hasselback potatoes, but have you heard of Hasselback French toast? In this recipe, we apply the same technique, which yields the most inviting pull-apart French toast. More like monkey bread than traditional French toast, go ahead and pull off a piece with your hands and dunk it into maple syrup—no silverware necessary! 

09 of 12

Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole

Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole
Greg DuPree

For this eggy, cheesy breakfast bake, start with a bag of frozen potato tots as your base. Sausage, onion, and bell pepper bring a flavor punch, while eggs bind everything together. Scatter thinly sliced jalapeño pieces and chives on top for a little bit of heat.

10 of 12

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Iced cinnamon rolls
Jennifer Causey

These homemade cinnamon rolls require some forethought and organization, but we promise they’re worth it; by the end, your house will smell like cinnamon, and you’ll have fluffy, tender buns for breakfast. Turn it into a fun group project by getting the troops involved in the baking process.

11 of 12

Breakfast Strata

breakfast strata
Antonis Achilleos

This veggie-packed breakfast is made for the holidays; you can make it ahead, and in a few simple steps, you’ll have a big, nourishing meal for a crowd. For an hour or up to a day, cubed whole-grain bread and vegetables soak up a mustardy egg custard, which has the effect of a savory bread pudding.

12 of 12

Brown Butter Waffles

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Greg DuPree

Use brown butter in your waffles for a nutty richness that’ll take your waffle game from good to great. This big-batch recipe will feed a group, and whatever you don’t eat can go straight in the freezer. Your future self will thank you!

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