The most exciting morning of the year deserves something extra special, but it also needs to be easy to put together. Create lifetime memories by making a Christmas breakfast so delicious they won’t mind taking a break from presents.
While everyone can’t wait to open presents, you still have to eat. Whether you want something quick to grab, or are going to have a sit down breakfast or brunch, I’ve got some great ides for a Southern Christmas morning breakfast that will be a hit for breakfast or brunch.
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FAQs and Tips
What is the most common Christmas Breakfast?
Christmas traditions vary so much depending on customs and culture. In the South, you’ll find sausage balls and breakfast casseroles on the top of everyone’s list.
What are some make ahead breakfast ideas for Christmas morning?
A favorite make ahead breakfast is French toast or a bread based casserole that can soak up an egg and milk mixture overnight. However, you can also make cinnamon rolls the night before and let them rise for the second time while your oven pre-heats.
What is a good Christmas brunch food?
For brunch try making a quiche or other egg based dish and serve a pastry along side it.
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Growing up, mom always made cinnamon rolls on Christmas Eve so that we could enjoy a special Christmas breakfast while opening gifts. So for me, there’s nothing better on Christmas morning than homemade cinnamon rolls.
You can make the dough the night before and then let them have the last rise while the oven pre-heats. Or you can make them weeks in advance, freeze them and re-warm in the oven on Christmas morning.
Cinnamon rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
This is my favorite recipe for cinnamon rolls, slightly sweet but not over the top. It’s light and fluffy but still sturdy enough to hold raisins and nuts. Pineapple juice in the dough, gives them a slightly sweet taste without needing to add extra sugar.
Adding a cream cheese frosting will make these over the top, but they are also great with just butter.
Cinnamon rolls with apples
If you love apples, adding them to a cinnamon roll baked in a muffin tin will ensure that you get sweet caramelized apples in every bite. For the frosting, try one with apple cider mixed in.
Cinnamon rolls with peaches
Even though it’s not peach season, frozen peaches will make delicious cinnamon rolls. just chop them up and add to the filling. If you’re a bourbon fan, a bourbon infused glaze is scrumptious with peaches.
Strawberry cinnamon rolls
A layer of jam on top of a butter and brown sugar layer, creates a wonderful flavor and a beautiful red swirl throughout. Top with a tangy cream cheese frosting.
The Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls
This cinnamon roll recipe uses a technique from The Pioneer Woman. In addition to yeast, the dough has baking powder and baking soda giving the dough extra height. The recipe makes enough to share with friends.
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread
While not technically a cinnamon roll, it’s pretty similar in flavor. It’s a yeast dough that you dip in butter and then a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Made famous at Dollywood but you can re-create it for an irresistible breakfast treat.
Overnight Holiday Breakfast Casseroles
Overnight breakfast casseroles are perfect for Christmas day. You assemble it the night before and then bake it on Christmas morning giving you more time to enjoy the excitement of Christmas morning.
Rhubarb raspberry bread pudding
Truly a decadent treat for Christmas morning, this custard based bread pudding has rhubarb for a tart but slightly sweet breakfast treat. If you can’t find fresh or frozen rhubarb, you can use frozen strawberries instead. The creme anglaise is heavenly!
Eggnog French toast
Let some stale French bread or brioche soak in an eggnog custard overnight and then pop it in the oven on Christmas morning. If you don’t like eggnog, you can use half-n-half and have a fabulous cinnamon French toast instead.
Classic Christmas morning breakfast
Depending on who will be around on Christmas morning, I always get requests for the classics. There’s nothing like the comfort of childhood favorites on Christmas morning. Here are a few of our favorites.
Sausage balls without Bisquick
Sausage balls are an all time classic, served alone or to go along with something sweet, they can’t be beat. You can easily make them gluten free by using almond flour.
Waffles
If your gang doesn’t mind taking a break from opening gifts, waffles take just a few minutes to make.
Creme brulee French toast
A special treat for breakfast any time of year, French baguettes baked on a layer of brown sugar and butter to create a caramelized coating on each slice. This works great on Christmas morning because it only takes a few minutes to prep and then the oven does all the work.
Dutch baby pancake
Nothing could be simpler than a baked pancake. Add peaches or caramelized apples for a custard like pancake.
Sheet pan pancakes
No one wants to stand over the stove on Christmas morning, so pour your pancake batter into a sheet pan and let everyone add their own toppings – berries, chocolate chips or nuts. It bakes into a light a fluffy pancake square, and everyone can eat at the same time.
Berry pastry braid
This berry braid is a classic holiday pastry. You can use a mixture of berries or choose just one. Puff pastry with a cream cheese filling and berries is scrumptious.
Muffins, Scones and Breads
If you’re having an early holiday lunch you might want something small, just to tide everyone over. I find muffins, scones or a slice of banana bread work great for this. They’re simple to make and will make your house smell fabulous.
Pumpkin cream cheese muffins
A soft and moist pumpkin muffin with a cheesecake layer and a streusel topping are amazing on Christmas morning. Not too sweet but sure to please.
Brown butter banana bread
The best banana bread is made with brown butter for a rich nutty flavor. Spread on some vanilla butter and you have a simple delicious bread that can be made in advance. It’s great right out of the oven or toasted.
Blueberry scones
Fresh or frozen berries can be used for a melt in your mouth scone. The pastry is heavenly and not too sweet, crisp on the outside but tender on the inside.
Crowd Pleasing Coffee cakes
Coffee cakes have always been a favorite for me for special occasions or a brunch with friends. Your family can grab a slice and not miss a beat. Delicious warm, but just as good served at room temperature.
Streusel coffee cake
If you love streusel, this recipe has a nice thick layer with a super moist cake. It makes enough to feed a crowd. Also a great idea if you’re having a holiday brunch at work this year.
Peach coffee cake
Frozen peaches added to a simple cake with almost as much streusel as cake. This is an amazing coffee cake to add to a holiday brunch or serve on its own. You can make this in advance and freeze it for the big day.
Peach and blueberry bundt cake
While you could serve this as a dessert, it’s not quite as sweet as a traditional cake, which makes it a great treat to eat while opening gifts. It has a peach glaze instead of a frosting, perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
Cherry coffee cake
If you can’t decide between a cinnamon roll or a coffee cake, then try this coffee cake with a yeast dough base. It’s topped with sweet cherries. A few raspberries add even more flavor to an amazing breakfast cake.
Savory Christmas breakfast ideas
With all those sweet ideas, you might want something savory to round things out. If you don’t mind waiting an hour, a quiche is a great choice. An egg dish is a great compliment to a cinnamon roll or coffee cake and it’s also great with a muffin or scone on the side.
Muffin melts
These are my favorite savory breakfast recipe for Christmas morning when you need a grab and go dish and want to keep things on the lighter side. Just make egg salad in advance and spread it on an English muffin, toast or biscuit. Cover with cheese and bacon and toast in the oven until the cheese is melted. You can assemble and everyone can warm one up when they’re hungry.
Puff pastry baskets
Add your favorite breakfast fillings and then wrap them up in puff pastry and bake. Flaky pastry with eggs, sausage and some apples are a hit in our house. The filling is so adaptable to what your gang likes and everyone can add the exact filling that they want before baking.
Sausage and apple pie
A unique combination of apples and sausage for those who may not love eggs. You can make the pie crust ahead of time but you’ll need to bake this for about 40 minutes. This is fabulous when served for a Christmas brunch. While it looks like a quiche, the eggs just hold everything together.
Traditional quiche
There’s nothing like a creamy custardy quiche. They are so adaptable to whatever fillings you like. It’s hard to beat caramelized onions, but if you haven’t made these in advance, you aren’t going to want to spend all that time on Christmas morning. You’ll need to allow for this to cook for an hour, but oh is it worth it!
Still need more ideas, you can find more sweet and savory breakfast ideas to help make your holiday stress free and delicious.
Wow, these are some delicious breakfast recipes!! Those muffin melts are such a great idea!
I never think about egg salad for breakfast, but I love it toasted on English Muffins.