Last-Minute, Mama-Approved Christmas Brunch Recipes
Since its conception, Christmas brunch has been a meal full of rich and decadent dishes. So it’s no surprise that Southerners make some of the best Christmas brunch dishes around. But with the hectic holiday rush, it can be hard to find time for all the make-ahead stratas, overnight French toasts, and breads that need to rise for hours. So we’ve combed through our holiday breakfast recipes for our favorite dishes that come together in less than an hour and a half, no overnight chilling required, so you can spend your Christmas Eve relaxing. Over-the-top pancakes, savory casseroles, and bite-size finger foods prove that quick doesn’t have to mean boring. And the best part? These easy breakfast recipes just happen to be some of our best brunch recipes, too.
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Homemade Orange Rolls
Tender, buttery spirals with a hint of cinnamon and a perfectly gooey sweet orange marmalade center make this recipe irresistible.
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Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel
Recipe: Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel
Pancakes that don't require any flipping? Now you've got our attention. This bread pudding-like casserole with cinnamon streusel can be prepared the night before.
Active Time: 45 minutes (make ahead and chill for 8 hours)
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Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
These pancakes are packed with all the cinnamon roll flavor you could ever want, with none of the cinnamon roll mess.
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Buttermilk Biscuits
Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits
Every Southern brunch needs buttermilk biscuits. This versatile recipe comes together from only 5 ingredients, and can be doctored up for plenty of delicious variations.
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Red Velvet Pancakes
Recipe: Red Velvet Pancakes
It couldn’t possibly get more festive than these Red Velvet Pancakes coated in tangy cream cheese butter. Because on Christmas, you are expected to eat cake for breakfast.
Total Time: 50 minutes; Active Time: 35
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Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Recipe: Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole
This croissant casserole is the perfect way to put your leftover bread to work. Made with day-old mini croissants, caramelized onions, and a rich and cheesy egg custard, you can assemble this dish in the evening and store it, unbaked, in the refrigerator overnight.
Total Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes; Active Time: 40 minutes
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Baked Oatmeal
Recipe: Baked Oatmeal
This baked oatmeal recipe really hits the spot and is full of healthy ingredients, like apples, pecans, and raisins.
Total Time: 1 hour
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Chicks in a Blanket
Recipe: Chicks in a Blanket
This high-brow version of pigs in a blanket uses mini smoked chicken-and-apple sausage instead of pork links.
Total Time: 1 hour
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Country Ham Hash
Recipe: Country Ham Hash
Sleepy morning guests are sure to wake right up when the inviting aromas of this country ham recipe start wafting their way.
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Sausage-and-Cheese Grits Quiche
Recipe: Sausage-and-Cheese Grits Quiche
This crustless quiche recipe filled with cheese grits and sausage is guaranteed to be a new family favorite this Christmas.
Active Time: 30 minutes (make ahead and chill for 8 hours)
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Pecan Pancakes with Caramel Apple Topping
Recipe: Pecan Pancakes with Caramel Apple Topping
Instead of making individual pancakes, whip up this pan-baked pecan pancake. While it’s baking, stir together the caramel apple topping.
Total Time: 1 hour
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Gingerbread Pancakes
Recipe: Gingerbread Pancakes
Grab a mixing bowl and start pouring out some pancakes. With this easy recipe, you can flip the script on your normal Christmas routine and serve a stack of fluffy gingerbread pancakes instead.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Biscuit Cinnamon Sweet Rolls
Recipe: Biscuit Cinnamon Sweet Rolls
These made-from-scratch biscuits coated in cinnamon, butter, sugar, and a cream cheese glaze taste like you got them straight from the local bakery. While the rolls are baking, whip up the cream cheese glaze.
Total Time: 1 hour
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Easy Orange Rolls
Recipe: Easy Orange Rolls
The quick secret to these sweet bread rolls? Refrigerated French bread dough, doctored up with cream cheese, sugar, and a sweet orange-juice glaze.
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches
Recipe: Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches
Serve this Texas favorite alongside a cup of coffee and fruit salad for a simple yet satisfying breakfast.
Total Time: 3 hours; Active Time: 30 minutes
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Caramel Cake Pancakes
Recipe: Caramel Cake Pancakes
Christmas and caramel go together like Santa and his reindeer. That’s why we created these over-the-top pancakes drizzled with caramel syrup for the perfect Christmas morning brunch.
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon
Recipe: Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon
It isn't a proper Christmas brunch without a plate filled with bacon, and this sheet pan bacon recipe packs on the flavor.
Active Time: 15 minutes (make the night before and chill 8 hours)
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Cornbread Omelets
Recipe: Cornbread Omelets
We replaced the eggs with a feather-light cornbread batter, because why not?
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Best-Ever Sticky Buns
Recipe: Best-Ever Sticky Buns
Spoil Christmas morning guests with this sticky and sweet pecan-topped treat.
Active Time: 30 minutes (make in advance and chill for 8 hours)
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Breakfast Enchiladas
Recipe: Breakfast Enchiladas
This go-to brunch recipe can be made ahead, but it doesn’t have to be. The savory sausage, onions, and cheese will bake together just find the morning of.
Total time: 1 hour
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Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon
Recipe: Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon
Upgrade plain bacon with a crispy coating of cornbread and brown sugar, minus the messy stovetop pan.
Total Time: 1 hour
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Cheesy Grits Soufflé
Recipe: Cheesy Grits Soufflé
Simple, buttery grits and corn made into a light, fluffy soufflé.
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
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Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Recipe: Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Who says hash browns have to stay to the side? Bring these crispy potatoes to center stage with a reader-favorite breakfast casserole you can prepare in advance.
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Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet
Recipe: Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet
Fewer dishes and an easier clean-up practically makes this recipe a win-win in our book.
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Tomato-Herb Mini Frittatas
Recipe: Tomato-Herb Mini Frittatas
This 30-minute recipe makes ideal individual servings, but that doesn't mean sharing (or seconds) aren't allowed.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole
Recipe: Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole
This comfort food casserole is breakfast food deluxe. For heat-lovers, go with spicy sausage, or for something more family-friendly, a mild breakfast sausage.
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
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Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
Recipe: Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
This savory breakfast dish comes together with crumbly smoked sausage, quick-cooking grits, and sharp cheddar cheese.
Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes.
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Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole
Recipe: Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole
Who says you have to leave the house for a pretty plate of pancakes? This restaurant-worthy blueberry pancake bake is sure to be your new Christmas morning classic.
Active Time: 30 minutes (make in advance and chill 8 hours)
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Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls
Recipe: Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls
Start your Christmas Day on a sweet note with these classic, homemade cinnamon rolls.
Total Time: 3 hours, 40 minutes; Active Time: 30 Minutes
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By Anna Aguillard Anna Aguillard