Every year I start with grand plans to make a spectacular breakfast Christmas morning — and then, funny thing, my kid wakes me up first thing wanting to open presents and there's just no time for me to make an elaborate feast! So if you want to make a delicious holiday breakfast — or let's be real, brunch! — for the family, but you don't want to spend all morning in the kitchen, what do you do?
Pick one or two simple breakfast classics and put a bit of a holiday spin on them — like these banana pancakes with holiday spices (recipe below!). Here are some quick food and drink recipes for Christmas morning that won't keep you away from the unwrapping bonanza!
Drinks
Cranberry mimosas. This is a super-easy Christmas twist on the brunch essential.
Candy cane cocoa. Even better than plain hot cocoa — add some candy canes! This recipe is for from-scratch cocoa, but you could use instant cocoa, too.
Eggnog latte. This is another easy holiday add-on. If you don't have an espresso machine or a steamer, just heat your eggnog and pour over brewed coffee. We're already doing this almost daily at my house, I'm embarrassed to admit.
Savory
Mini crustless quiche. Make these with your muffin tin — in minutes. You can even customize them for the people who like "stuff" in their eggs and the people who don't.
Latkes. Love latkes? Here are five different recipes that re-invent this savory classic.
Sausage and cheese egg casserole. The Italians call it strata, but the egg casserole is an easy, hearty way to start Christmas morning.
Bacon. Need I say more? Let me add this — I hear it's best when you cook it in the oven on extra low.
Something sweet
Croissant French toast. But of course — use buttery, decadent croissants to make French toast! Why didn't I think of this already? You don't have to include the Grand Mariner, but it sounds like an awfully good idea.
Petits pain au chocolate. This is one of our favorites at my house — super easy and so luscious right out of the oven. All you need is puff pastry, chocolate, and an egg.
Broiled citrius salad. A fruit salad is always nice, but a broiled citrus salad with Cointreau would be even better.
Spiced Banana Pancakes adapted from Allrecipes.com
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 heaping teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
Directions
- Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil, and bananas.
- Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy.
- Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until pancakes are golden brown on both sides; serve hot.
