The Christmas morning magic isn’t just in the presents and the decorations. The breakfast table should stand out almost as much as the gifts under the tree. To help keep the morning fun and the cooking stress low, here are 20 recipes. From oversized pancakes to oven-ready casseroles, we’ve got it all. Just start brewing the coffee, light a candle, and enjoy the morning while the kids tear into gifts. It’s time to get festive!
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1) Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
All the sticky, sweet, and delicious flavors of the cinnamon rolls without the fuss of rolling!
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Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Pancakes that are fluffy with a swirl of cinnamon-sugar and topped with a sweet cream cheese glaze.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour, sugar, and baking powder, then stir in the milk, eggs, and melted butter to make a batter.
- Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons softened butter into a paste and spoon it into a piping bag.
- Pour batter onto a greased griddle and pipe a cinnamon swirl into each pancake.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbles form, then flip and cook the other side.
- Beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar and a splash of milk for the glaze.
- Drizzle the warm pancakes with the cream cheese glaze and serve.
Notes
Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200 degree oven while you finish the batch.
2) Eggnog French Toast
Festive holiday spiced eggnog flavor.
Eggnog French Toast
Thick bread soaked in spiced eggnog custard, then griddled to a golden and custardy finish.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the eggnog, eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
- Soak each slice of brioche in the custard for 20 seconds per side.
- Melt butter on a griddle over medium heat.
- Cook the soaked bread for 3 minutes per side until golden and set.
- Dust with extra nutmeg and serve warm with maple syrup.
Notes
Day-old brioche soaks up the custard best without falling apart.
3) Gingerbread Waffles
Spiced waffles that smell and taste like Christmas!
Gingerbread Waffles
Molasses as well as warm and spicy gingerbread waffles are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat a waffle iron and whisk the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- In another bowl, whisk the molasses, milk, eggs, and melted butter.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the hot waffle iron and cook until crisp and deeply golden.
- Serve warm topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
Notes
Do not overmix the batter or the waffles turn tough.
4) Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Mugs you'll love wrapping your hands around all morning.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Rich and creamy hot chocolate with peppermint and whipped cream on top.
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring often.
- Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar until dissolved.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract.
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
Notes
Use real peppermint extract sparingly, a little goes a long way.
5) Cranberry Orange Muffins
Bright, tangy, and just sweet enough to start your day on the right foot.
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Tender muffins bursting with the zing of fresh orange zest and tart cranberries.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, orange juice, and zest.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry, then gently fold in the cranberries.
- Divide the batter among the muffin cups.
- Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
Toss the cranberries in a little flour so they do not sink.
6) Eggs Benedict Florentine
Fancy brunch restaurant right at your table.
Eggs Benedict Florentine
Poached eggs on sauteed spinach with English muffins and topped with hollandaise sauce.
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the spinach in a little butter until wilted, then set aside and keep warm.
- Blend the egg yolks, lemon juice, and salt, then slowly stream in the melted butter to make hollandaise.
- Bring a pot of water with vinegar to a gentle simmer and poach the eggs for 3 minutes.
- Toast the English muffin halves until golden.
- Top each muffin half with spinach and a poached egg.
- Spoon hollandaise over the top and dust with paprika to serve.
Notes
Swirl the simmering water before sliding in each egg for a neat shape.
7) Maple Pecan Sticky Buns
Worth every single napkin, it’s sticky, gooey, and downright delicious!
Maple Pecan Sticky Buns
Fluffy cinnamon rolls baked on top of a maple-pecan caramel sauce and then flipped to show off the sticky topping!
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the melted butter, maple syrup, and half the brown sugar and pour into a baking pan, then scatter the pecans on top.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle and spread with softened butter.
- Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar and the cinnamon over the dough.
- Roll the dough into a log and slice into 9 pieces, then place cut-side down in the pan.
- Cover and let rise for 30 minutes, then bake at 350 degrees F for 28 to 30 minutes.
- Cool for 5 minutes, then flip the pan onto a platter so the sticky top faces up.
Notes
Let them cool a few minutes before flipping so the caramel sets slightly.
8) Nutella Stuffed Crepes
Thin, delicate crepes hiding a warm chocolate-hazelnut surprise.
Ingredients
Method
- Blend the flour, eggs, milk, melted butter, and sugar until smooth, then rest the batter for 15 minutes.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium and pour in a thin layer of batter, swirling to coat.
- Cook for 1 minute until set, then flip and cook 30 seconds more.
- Spread each crepe with chocolate-hazelnut spread while warm.
- Fold the crepes into quarters and top with strawberries.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Notes
Let the batter rest so the crepes turn out tender, not rubbery.
9) Sausage and Cheese Quiche
Hearty, savory, and the type of thing fathers go back for thirds on.
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Sausage and Cheese Quiche
A buttery crust is filled with rich sausage, cheddar, and a fluffy egg custard.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and fit the crust into a pie dish.
- Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it up, then drain.
- Whisk the eggs, half-and-half, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Scatter the sausage, cheddar, and green onion into the crust.
- Pour the egg mixture over the top.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the center is set and the top is golden.
Notes
Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing for clean wedges.
10) Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
A warm and cozy bowl that gives you an inner hug!
Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
Creamy oats cooked with pumpkin, spices, and a drizzle of maple.
Ingredients
Method
- Bring the milk to a gentle simmer in a saucepan.
- Stir in the oats and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Simmer for another 3 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Stir in the vanilla, then spoon into bowls and top with pecans.
Notes
A splash of extra milk loosens it up if it gets too thick.
11) Cherry Almond Danish
Flaky pastry featuring a sweet cherry filling and almond pieces.
Cherry Almond Danish
PUFF PASTRY POCKETS WITH SWEET CREAM CHEESE AND CHERRY PRESERVES FINISHED WITH SLICED ALMONDS.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Beat the cream cheese with the sugar and almond extract until smooth.
- Cut the puff pastry into 8 squares and place on the baking sheet.
- Spoon cream cheese into the center of each square, then top with cherry preserves.
- Fold the corners toward the center and brush the pastry with beaten egg.
- Sprinkle with sliced almonds and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden and puffed.
Notes
Keep the pastry cold until it goes in the oven for the flakiest layers.
12) Holiday Frittata
A simple showstopper in one pan that you can cut and serve to a lot of people.
Holiday Frittata
A fluffy baked egg frittata with festive colors from red pepper, spinach, and feta.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, and salt in a bowl.
- Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet and saute the red pepper and green onion for 3 minutes.
- Add the spinach and cook until just wilted.
- Pour the eggs over the vegetables and scatter the feta on top.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until set and lightly golden, then slice and serve.
Notes
Use a well-seasoned or nonstick oven-safe skillet for easy slicing.
13) Snowman Pancake Stack
A fun plate for the kids to enjoy Christmas morning.
Snowman Pancake Stack
Pancakes are stacked to look like a happy snowman and decorated with fruit!
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the pancake mix, milk, and egg into a smooth batter.
- Cook three pancakes in graduated sizes on a greased griddle, about 2 minutes per side.
- Stack the pancakes from largest to smallest on a plate to form a snowman.
- Pipe whipped cream around the stack for a snowy look.
- Add blueberry eyes and buttons, a strawberry hat, and pretzel-stick arms.
- Serve right away with syrup on the side.
Notes
Let the kids do the decorating, it is half the fun.
14) Cranberry Walnut Scones
Cranberry scones that are buttery and crumbly with sweet/tart flavor bursts.
Cranberry Walnut Scones
Scones with a flaky and tender texture and have crunchy walnuts and dried cranberries stirred into the mixture.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Whisk the flour, sugar, and baking powder, then cut in the cold butter until crumbly.
- Stir in the cranberries and walnuts.
- Mix the cream and egg, then stir into the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Pat the dough into a circle, cut into 8 wedges, and place on the sheet.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden, then cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Keep the butter cold for the flakiest scones.
15) Sugarplum Yogurt Parfait
Light and pretty, and a fresh offer to all the richness.
Sugarplum Yogurt Parfait
A festive glass with layers of creamy yogurt, sugared plums, and crunchy granola.
Ingredients
Method
- Toss the diced plums with the honey and let them sit for 5 minutes.
- Spoon a layer of yogurt into the bottom of each glass.
- Add a layer of plums, then a layer of granola.
- Repeat the layers until the glasses are full.
- Top with pomegranate seeds and pistachios and serve.
Notes
Add the granola right before serving so it stays crunchy.
16) Santa's Breakfast Casserole
Prepare it the evening prior and simply put it in the oven as presents are unwrapped.
Santa's Breakfast Casserole
A delicious baked casserole made with bread, sausage, eggs, and cheese that is baked until warm, fluffy, and golden brown.
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it up, then drain.
- Spread the cubed bread in a greased baking dish and scatter the sausage and cheese over it.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, mustard powder, and salt, then pour over the bread.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight so the bread soaks up the custard.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes until set and golden.
- Top with green onion and let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Assembling the night before makes Christmas morning so much easier.
17) Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Cinnamon rolls and apple pie had a baby, and it is glorious.
Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Cinnamon rolls from the store mixed with spiced apples and baked into a gooey pull-apart casserole.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a baking dish.
- Cut the cinnamon rolls into quarters and reserve the icing.
- Toss the diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
- Combine the cinnamon roll pieces and apples in the baking dish.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and bubbly in the center.
- Drizzle with the reserved icing and caramel sauce while warm.
Notes
Cover with foil if the top browns too fast before the center sets.
18) Christmas Morning Bourbon Balls
An adult treat to enjoy with coffee.
Christmas Morning Bourbon Balls
Cookie balls that are spiked with bourbon and rolled in powdered sugar, for the grown-ups.
Ingredients
Method
- Combine the wafer crumbs, powdered sugar, pecans, and cocoa powder in a bowl.
- Stir in the bourbon and corn syrup until the mixture holds together.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls.
- Roll each ball in extra powdered sugar to coat.
- Chill for at least 1 hour so the flavors meld before serving.
Notes
These are adults-only, so keep them on a separate plate from the kids' treats.
19) Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Loaf
Moist and spiced with melted chocolate in every slice.
Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Loaf
A warmly spiced gingerbread loaf studded with chocolate chips, perfect with coffee.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a loaf pan.
- Whisk the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and baking soda in a bowl.
- In another bowl, beat the molasses, brown sugar, melted butter, and eggs.
- Stir the hot water into the wet mixture, then fold in the dry ingredients.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the pan.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean, then cool before slicing.
Notes
Tent with foil if the top darkens before the center is done.
20) Festive Croissant Sandwiches
Buttery and savory dishes can easily be prepared in a few minutes.
Festive Croissant Sandwiches
Warmed flaky croissants oozing with melted cheese as well as stuffed with eggs and ham.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Whisk the eggs with salt, then scramble them softly in the butter over medium heat.
- Lay a slice of ham and Swiss on the bottom of each split croissant.
- Pile the scrambled eggs on top and sprinkle with chives.
- Close the croissants and place on a baking sheet.
- Warm in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese melts, then serve.
Notes
A quick warm-up in the oven makes the croissants extra flaky.