Holidays and Occasions
Cozy Holiday Brunch Recipes

Cozy Holiday Brunch Recipes

December 14, 2016

Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Heather Chontos

When you need some great dishes to serve a whole crowd during the holiday season, these great brunch items are sure to do the trick. With a variety of breakfast staples like coffee cake, french toast, and casseroles, you can't go wrong when picking from one of these great dishes. With comforting options and a wide array of ingredients to choose from, you're sure to find a dish that everyone will love.

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Cranberry Breakfast Pastries

Photo: Stephen Devries; Styling: Claire Spollen

Cranberry Breakfast Pastries Recipe

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Spinach, Bacon, and Gruyère Breakfast Strata

Spinach, Bacon, and Guyere Breakfast Strata image

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Food Styling: Karen Rankin; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Spinach, Bacon, and Gruyère Breakfast Strata Recipe

This dish has fewer than 20g of total carbs--about half of what you'll find in classic bread-based casseroles. Greek yogurt, eggs, and cheese pack a mighty protein punch, while a touch of bacon seasons to perfection. The strata is best if allowed to soak overnight. Not only does this build in make-ahead convenience, it also allows the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture--yielding a creamy texture inside, while the top bread pieces get delightfully crisp.

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Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole

Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Heather Chontos

Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Andouille sausage, two types of cheese, and a splash of hot sauce add flavor and a little kick to Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole. This make-ahead breakfast casserole is perfect for holiday mornings--just cook and enjoy.

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Ham Biscuit Casserole

Time Inc. Video Studio

Ham Biscuit Casserole Recipe

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Sticky Cinnamon Roll Babka Buns

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Sticky Cinnamon Roll Babka Buns Recipe

If you're looking for decadence, you're in the right place. Though the dough requires multiple steps, the result is a bun that is sweeter, stickier, and more gooey than any bun you've had before. Our chefs joke about wanting to take a nap after experiencing the richness of this dessert. Saigon cinnamon is recommended for a stronger spicy-sweet flavor, but regular cinnamon can be easily substituted. Serve with coffee at brunch or as an afternoon treat.

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French Toasted Waffles

Time Inc. Video Studio

French Toasted Waffles Recipe

Two breakfast favorites merge for one epically crispy and delicious, maple syrup covered masterpiece.

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Raspberry and Cream Cheese Danish Roll

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Raspberry and Cream Cheese Danish Roll Recipe

Make holiday mornings even more special with this raspberry danish. Tender, golden dough filled with fruity jam enriched with cream cheese creates the perfect pastry to serve family and friends. Master the jelly roll technique by following the steps in this simple recipe.

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Easiest Cinnamon Rolls Ever

Photo: Sheri Giblin; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Amy Stone

Easiest Cinnamon Rolls Ever Recipe

Holiday mornings and chilly afternoons are made complete with warm, gooey cinnamon rolls. If you want to make them for breakfast, you can make the rolls the night before, cover them well, and refrigerate the unbaked rolls overnight. Just let them come to room temperature before baking them as directed. If you prefer a more gooey roll, bake for less time.

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Breakfast Hot Dish

Photo: Christopher Testani; Prop Styling: Kaitlyn Duross; Food Styling: Chris Lanier

Breakfast Hot Dish Recipe

If you're not from the Upper Midwest, you may not be familiar with hot dish. Traditionally, it's a casserole of starch (often french fries or tots), meat, and vegetables held together by a creamy sauce. "It's an easy way to feed a crowd," says Molly, "and it's perfect for the dead of winter because it's so hearty and warm and comforting." Her update uses sweet potatoes flavored with Aleppo pepper. To get a head start, you can roast the potatoes and brown the sausage a couple of days ahead.

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Creamy Brioche and Egg Bake

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Creamy Brioche and Egg Bake Recipe

This stand alone breakfast dish is an upgrade from the usual breakfast casserole. Baking eggs in brioche and heavy cream allows for perfectly set, soft, and runny eggs. Fresh herbs and rich egg and meaty sausage flavors round out this bake and give it irresistable texture. Ask for brioche at your local grocery store or bakery and they are sure to have it.

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Spinach and Feta Quiche with Quinoa Crust

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Spinach and Feta Quiche with Quinoa Crust Recipe

Cheesy quiche partners beautifully with a bright, citrusy salad. Whisk together 2 tablespoons canola oil, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a large bowl. Add 3 cups baby kale, 3/4 cup grapefruit sections, and 1/4 cup sliced red onion; toss to coat.

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Copycat Peppermint Mocha

Photo: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Copycat Peppermint Mocha Recipe

Get that irresistable, chocolatey-mint coffee at home, anytime with this Peppermint Mocha recipe. Add more syrup for a sweeter, stronger mint flavor. If you can't steam milk at home, warm the milk slowly in a saucepan and froth the milk by shaking it in a tightly sealed jar, using a frother, or whisking thoroughly while heating.

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Slow Cooker French Toast Is the Laid Back Way to Feed Your Friends a Fancy Brunch

Photo by MariuszBlach via Getty Images

Slow Cooker French Toast Is the Laid Back Way to Feed Your Friends a Fancy Brunch
And seriously, you must try tahini on it

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Holiday Brunch Tonic

Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Holiday Brunch Tonic Recipe

This fizzy beverage takes on a festive feel with the scent of rosemary-infused sugar syrup. Garnish with extra rosemary sprigs, if desired. Serve shortly after mixing everything together so the tonic will sparkle.

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Copycat Gingerbread Latte

Photo: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Copycat Gingerbread Latte Recipe

Who needs to make a trip to the cafe when you can make your favorite holiday drinks at home? This gingerbread latte has everything you love about gingerbread and java in one delightfully caffeinated drink. If you can't steam milk at home, warm the milk slowly in a saucepan and froth the milk by shaking it in a tightly sealed jar, using a frother, or whisking thoroughly while heating.

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Cider Doughnuts with Maple-Tahini Glaze

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Cider Doughnuts with Maple-Tahini Glaze Recipe

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Bacon, Tomato and Cheddar Breakfast Bake with Eggs

Fredrika Stjärne

Bacon, Tomato and Cheddar Breakfast Bake with Eggs Recipe
This breakfast casserole topped with runny eggs by F&W's Grace Parisi develops a terrific texture as it cooks slowly in a glass dish (which makes it easy to see when the bottom is perfectly browned). As one F&W editor remarked on tasting it, "I worship the crisp bottom and the chewy, moist bread."

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Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Oxmoor House

Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Prep this the night before for an easy breakfast or brunch. Find turkey sausage in the freezer section of the supermarket with other breakfast meats.

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Ham, Gruyère and Spinach Strata

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Ham, Gruyère and Spinach Strata Recipe
Whip up Ham, Gruyère and Spinach Strata for a filling breakfast or brunch dish. It's a great dish for using leftover holiday ham.

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Gingerbread Muffins with Spiced Streusel and Spiced Hard Sauce

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Gingerbread Muffins with Spiced Streusel and Spiced Hard Sauce Recipe

We know, serving streusel-topped muffins with hard sauce is gilding the lily, but hey, it's Christmas morning after all.

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Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Make sure your butter is very soft when you spread it on the rolled dough so the dough doesn't tear.

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Saffron and Golden Raisin Breakfast Bread

Oxmoor House

Saffron and Golden Raisin Breakfast Bread Recipe
Put your bread machine to work mixing this dough. We liked the bread best sliced and toasted.

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Cheesy Grits Soufflé

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Cheesy Grits Soufflé Recipe
This recipe for Cheesy Grits Soufflé turns a classic Southern dish into a light, fluffy soufflé for the ultimate holiday brunch.

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Cranberry-Orange Coffee Cake

Cranberry-Orange Coffee Cake Recipe
Dress up coffee cake for the holidays by adding cranberry sauce, pecans and a sugary citrus glaze.

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Cranberry-Apple French Toast Casserole

Randy Mayor; Leigh Anne Ross

Cranberry-Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe

This prep-ahead casserole, which turns extra dinner rolls and cranberry sauce into a brunch or dessert treat, is especially welcome if you are entertaining houseguests for the long holiday weekend. While we enjoyed the tartness of the Granny Smith apples, any baking apple will do. Serve with apple wedges.

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Cranberry-Orange Warmer

Photo: Gooseberry Patch

Cranberry-Orange Warmer Recipe
Full of soothing aromas and flavors, we suggest sipping on our Cranberry-Orange Warmer this holiday season that will not only warm your body, but your heart too.

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Apple-Stuffed Strata

Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Heather Chontos

Apple-Stuffed Strata Recipe
Last-minute prep for this make-ahead breakfast casserole couldn't be simpler: Just add a dusting of sugar and nuts.

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Cozy Holiday Brunch Recipes

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Cranberry Breakfast Pastries

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Spinach, Bacon, and Gruyère Breakfast Strata

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Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole

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Ham Biscuit Casserole

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Sticky Cinnamon Roll Babka Buns

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French Toasted Waffles

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Raspberry and Cream Cheese Danish Roll

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Easiest Cinnamon Rolls Ever

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Breakfast Hot Dish

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Creamy Brioche and Egg Bake

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Spinach and Feta Quiche with Quinoa Crust

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Copycat Peppermint Mocha

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Slow Cooker French Toast Is the Laid Back Way to Feed Your Friends a Fancy Brunch

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Holiday Brunch Tonic

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Copycat Gingerbread Latte

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Cider Doughnuts with Maple-Tahini Glaze

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Bacon, Tomato and Cheddar Breakfast Bake with Eggs

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Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

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Ham, Gruyère and Spinach Strata

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Gingerbread Muffins with Spiced Streusel and Spiced Hard Sauce

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Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

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Saffron and Golden Raisin Breakfast Bread

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Cheesy Grits Soufflé

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Cranberry-Orange Coffee Cake

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Cranberry-Apple French Toast Casserole

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Cranberry-Orange Warmer

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