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50+ Cozy Breakfasts for Christmas Morning

By Cooking Light
October 26, 2018
Photo: Iain Bagwell
These easy, make-ahead recipes are perfect for a laid-back Christmas morning. From breakfast casseroles to gooey cinnamon rolls, we've cooked up delicious dishes that are sure to bring comfort to the entire table. The best part? These breakfasts leave you free to hang in your warm jammies and tear open presents while mouthwatering aromas—warm cinnamon and sweet apples, smoky bacon and spicy sausage—fill your home.
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50+ Cozy Breakfasts for Christmas Morning

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Breakfast Hot Dish

Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Breakfast Hot Dish

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 blogger and cookbook author Molly Yeh, "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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Cinnamon-Orange Pinwheels

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Cinnamon-Orange Pinwheels

There's no need to spend Christmas morning with your mixer; these orange-scented pinwheels freeze beautifully, reheat in just 25 minutes, and make your kitchen smell fantastic. Recruit little ones to help make the icing and spread over the rolls just before serving. To round out the morning meal, serve the rolls with a simple fruit salad and a frittata or soft-scrambled eggs. 

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Berry-and-Walnut French Toast Casserole

Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Berry-and-Walnut French Toast Casserole

This overnight casserole saves you the trouble of standing over a griddle flipping individual slices of French toast. If using a fresh baguette, cut it up the day before, and let it sit in the bag overnight to become slightly stale—that'll help prevent sogginess when the casserole is baked.

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Harissa Bloody Marys

Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Harissa Bloody Marys

Kick off your holiday festivities with this fun take on the classic brunch beverage.  Harissa, a traditional Tunisian chile paste with a spicy, pleasantly bitter edge, gives these laid-back libations a boost. Look for harissa in cans, jars, or tubes on the international foods aisle or with the specialty sauces. If you can't find it, substitute a few dashes of hot sauce. Garnish as desired with celery stalks, lime wedges, and pickles. You can combine everything except the club soda a day ahead; give it a good stir before serving, and top off with club soda at the last minute.

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Bananas Foster Breakfast Strata

Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Bananas Foster Breakfast Strata

Take care when adding the rum to the hot pan—it flames up immediately. You can also add the rum off the heat, and then carefully light it with a long match.

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Spinach, Bacon, and Gruyère Breakfast Strata

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Spinach, Bacon, and Gruyère Breakfast Strata

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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Eggnog Banana Bread

Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Eggnog Banana Bread

These whole-grain mini banana bread loaves are a great alternative to cupcakes, and much easier to package without a dome of messy frosting. If you don't have mini loaf pans, you can use 12 muffin cups lined with cupcake liners. For a kid-friendly drizzle, you can swap the alcohol for fresh orange juice.

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Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine
View Recipe: Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

The simple, scalloped shell made from thinly sliced rounds of sweet potatoes makes this version of a popular brunch (or supper) dish gluten-free. Choose potatoes with comparable diameters to create uniform slices for the easy-to-make crust. A mandoline makes slicing quick and precise, but a sharp chef's knife will work too. You can also slice the potatoes in the food processor using the slicing blade.

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Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Sausage and Cheese Fall Breakfast Casserole

Pop this cheesy casserole in the oven and let it bake while you sip coffee. Find turkey breakfast sausage in the freezer section of the supermarket with other breakfast meats.

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Make-Ahead Shakshuka

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Make-Ahead Shakshuka

These individual shakshukas are easy to make and assemble ahead of time. Be sure to pierce the yolks (without breaking them) so they won't burst when microwaved.

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Egg and Hash Brown Casserole

Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Egg and Hash Brown Casserole

This make-ahead dish is like enjoying an omelet stuffed with spinach, Swiss cheese, and mushrooms, with hearty sides of bacon and hash browns, all in one package.

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Carrot-Apple Muffins with Orange Glaze

Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Carrot-Apple Muffins with Orange Glaze

These tender, lightly sweetened whole-grain muffins have a special can’t-put-your-finger-on-it flavor thanks to garam masala. Look for garam masala in the spice aisle; large spice brands make it. If you don’t have it or can’t find it, you can substitute an equal amount of cinnamon.

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Bacon, Mushroom, and Chive Quiche

Photo: Jamie Vespa, MS, RD, LD/N
View Recipe: Bacon, Mushroom, and Chive Quiche

This savory quiche is the perfect make-ahead meal for a laid-back brunch. Store-bought crust saves time—we recommend using Wholly Wholesome's Organic Pie Dough (find it at Whole Foods) for its superior taste and texture. Round it out with a crisp green salad and fresh fruit.

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Sweet Potato and Sausage Strata

Photo: Linda Pugliese
View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Sausage Strata

Hand over the reins: Let the kids assemble this savory-sweet oven-baked treat. If you make this dish ahead, bring it to room temperature before baking so it will reheat evenly.

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Spinach and Feta Quiche with Quinoa Crust

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Spinach and Feta Quiche with Quinoa Crust

We’ve turned a classic dish into a perfectly clean brunch option that the whole family will love. The crunchy quinoa crust gives heartiness to the light and fluffy quiche inside. Swap out canola oil for coconut, almond, avocado, or olive oil, and look for organic eggs and dairy products.

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Granola Cups with Yogurt and Berries

Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Granola Cups with Yogurt and Berries

Make for breakfast or as a cute part of a brunch spread. Fill whole-grain granola cups with creamy yogurt and fresh fruit—a fun alternative to sugary premade parfaits. Find almond butter in the supermarket’s peanut butter section. We love the fresh floral whiff the lemon rind adds to the mix but orange rind would work nicely as well.

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Apple-Stuffed Strata

Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Apple-Stuffed Strata

A layer of sweet baked apples and crunchy pecan topping helps this breakfast bread pudding shine. Last-minute prep couldn't be simpler: Just add a dusting of sugar and nuts.

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Blood Orange Mimosas

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Blood Orange Mimosas

We love the color blood oranges give this classic brunch cocktail. A dash of bitters adds depth. Look for orange bitters—such as Fee Brothers or Stirrings—at liquor stores or specialty grocers. The sugar cube dissolves as you sip, balancing the bitters and giving off bubbles for a festive touch. Juice the oranges and keep chilled up to a day ahead.

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Pineapple and Orange Salad with Toasted Coconut

Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Pineapple and Orange Salad with Toasted Coconut

Serve this all-purpose side with any of our casseroles. Assemble the night ­before, but stir in and sprinkle with coconut just before serving. Omit the red pepper if you prefer a very mild mix.

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Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata

This make-ahead breakfast casserole streamlines a morning routine like few other recipes can. Assemble it the night before, then pop it in the oven about an hour before you want to eat.

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Marmalade French Toast Casserole

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Marmalade French Toast Casserole

Grapefruit or mixed fruit marmalade will work just as well as the orange marmalade called for in the recipe. Serve the casserole with honey or pancake syrup warmed with orange rind and a splash of orange juice (add one teaspoon rind and two tablespoons juice per 1/2 cup syrup). This easy casserole can be assembled in less than 15 minutes and stored in the refrigerator overnight.

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Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole

Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole

Creamy and savory collide in a wonderful way—everyone gathered around your holiday breakfast table will love this one.

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Mushroom Quiche With Sweet Potato Crust

Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Mushroom Quiche With Sweet Potato Crust

Sweet potatoes make the perfect gluten-free crust for this custardy quiche. Brown the mushrooms with garlic to deepen their meaty flavor.

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Streusel-Topped French Toast Casserole with Fruit Compote

Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Streusel-Topped French Toast Casserole with Fruit Compote

If you like bread pudding you'll love this creamy, custard-rich treat. For a special finishing touch, dollop with whipped topping.

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Salmon and Potato Casserole

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Salmon and Potato Breakfast Casserole

Great for breakfast or dinner, this casserole is easy to make and great as leftovers, too!

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Turkey Sausage, Mushroom, and Potato Gratin

Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Turkey Sausage, Mushroom, and Potato Gratin

Home fries meet casserole in this ultimate comfort food dish that's great for brunch (or even dinner). It's most economical to buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.

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Spinach-Artichoke Strata

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Spinach-Artichoke Strata

This easy get-ahead dish plays off the appeal of spinach-artichoke dip. Assemble everything the night before; in the morning, let the strata stand while the oven preheats, and then pop it in. You don't need to fully blend in the herbed cheese; it's nice to hit little "pockets" of creamy goodness.

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Double Berry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

Sara Tane
View Recipe: Double Berry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

Rise and shine to a thoroughly red, white, and blue breakfast. This lower-sugar recipe is a great way to use up slightly hard baguette and any berries you have roaming around your produce drawer. You don't have to let it sit overnight, but a few hours in the fridge will only make the casserole creamier.

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Overnight Streusel-Topped French Toast Casserole

Gina DeSimone
View Recipe: Overnight Streusel-Topped French Toast Casserole

Since there’s no chopping involved, this is a great recipe for recruiting your kids to help out—there are lots of opportunities for stirring, and even a chance to use their hands to crumble together the streusel topping. Thin out the glaze with a little extra milk and spoon it over for a casual presentation, or put it in a Ziploc, snip off the corner, and let the kids drizzle their own special designs.

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Eggnog Coffee Cake

Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Eggnog Coffee Cake

Families and grandparents will love Eggnog Coffee Cake. Make a second cake for gifting, or package individual slices.

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Baked Marzipan Donuts

Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Baked Marzipan Donuts

Bake these the night before and either decorate with your guests or beforehand. Marzipan is easy to use as an ingredient in baked goods and decorating. Theses donuts are the perfect sweet bite on Christmas morning as the festive decorations are endless. Look for marzipan on the baking aisle in large supermarkets or in specialty baking stores.

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Artichoke and Spinach Strata

Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Artichoke and Spinach Strata

Thaw the artichoke hearts according to microwave directions or in the refrigerator for 2 hours. You can also place artichoke hearts in the baking dish and bake at 375° until thawed, then remove from the pan and continue the recipe. Try swapping artichokes and spinach for 1 (14-ounce) bag thawed frozen broccoli florets and Monterey Jack for cheddar cheese.

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Almond Coffee Cake Muffins

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Almond Coffee Cake Muffins

These sweet muffins are an ideal dessert or an indulgent breakfast. Whichever you choose, you'll love them for their nutty flavor and sugary topping.

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Spiced Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Glaze

Photo: Ditte Isager
View Recipe: Spiced Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Glaze

Delicata squash is a great choice for dessert recipes. It is characterized by yellow flesh that tastes similar to sweet potatoes. Roasting it in this recipe intensifies the sweet flavor. If you can't find delicata, substitute butternut.

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Butternut Stratas with Gruyère

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Butternut Stratas with Gruyère

If you don't have individual ramekins, you can bake the strata in an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray for 25 minutes.

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Christmas Granola

Photo: Jamie Vespa
View Recipe: Christmas Granola

Our homemade granola is infused with a wealth of holiday flavor and hits every note on the salty-sweet-chewy-crunchy spectrum. Use any combination of nuts you like – though we love the pop of green from the pistachios. Fresh rosemary adds a rustic edge and earthiness, while silky molasses adds depth of flavor and a subtle sweetness reminiscent of gingerbread. This festive granola is the perfect edible gift when wrapped in a holiday bag or piled high in a mason jar. One serving boasts a hearty 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of plant-powered protein. Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving!

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Streusel-Topped French Toast Casserole with Fruit Compote

Photo: Johnny Miller