40 Festive Brunch Recipes
Patsy's Egg Casserole [1]
Midwest Living® Creative Director Geri Boesen credits her mother-in-law, Patsy, for creating this easy sausage-and-cheese brunch recipe, a popular food at family holiday gatherings. "It's nice because you can make it the day ahead and put it in the fridge overnight," Geri says.
Blueberry Surprise French Toast Casserole [5]
Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in this casserole, which gets a generous topping of blueberry or maple syrup. The recipe comes from Turkey Run Inn at Turkey Run State Park in east-central Indiana.
Chocolate-Kissed Monkey Bread [9]
Caramel, chocolate and cinnamon give this monkey bread a delicious flavor. Be sure to get the large flaky biscuits for easy shaping.
Gingerbread Waffles with Hot Lemon Curd Sauce [13]
These spicy waffles will fill your house with the nostalgic perfume of Christmas cookies and holiday baking. The recipe comes from the Southmoreland on the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri, where the innkeepers serve the waffles with a salty meat like breakfast sausage or ham.
Pork ‘n’ Pippins Quiche [17]
At Round Barn Farm Bed and Breakfast and Bread in Red Wing, Minnesota, Robin and Elaine Kleffman serve this sweet-and-savory quiche with a dollop of sour cream and seasoned, broiled tomato halves on the side.
Mini Egg Pastries with Bearnaise Sauce [21]
At Cold Spring Inn in Hubertus, Wisconsin, Kari and Jerry Munley serve these elegant brunch pastries with cinnamon rolls and fruit. The herby bearnaise sauce is a bit fussy to make compared to purchased hollandaise sauce, but you'll notice a real difference in flavor.
Swedish Tea Ring [25]
At the Midwest Living® Culinary and Craft School in Branson, Missouri, instructor Debbie Dance Uhrig wows her students with this tender, walnut-filled pastry. Sprinkled with chopped red and green cherries, it's a perfect treat for Christmas morning.
Swedish Tea Ring [26]
Fruit and Nut Granola [29]
At Abilene's Victorian Inn in Kansas, chef Adrian Potter bakes this granola for guests. Eat it with milk or layered in a parfait with yogurt and fruit. We love how the recipe lets you customize the nuts and fruit to your taste.
Swedish Lemon Pancakes [33]
A delicate crepelike pancake folds like an envelope around tangy lemon curd in this pretty brunch dish from Abilene's Victorian Inn in Kansas. The whipped sour cream topping is a breeze to make.
Lazy Morning Sausage Pie [37]
Lyndy Ireland cooks up breakfast favorites such as this classic biscuit mix recipe for her guests at Triangle Ranch in western South Dakota. She tops the Sausage Pie with refreshing salsa.
Maple Butter Twists [41]
These breakfast rolls are a family tradition with Jean Haviland of Carroll, Iowa. "My mom made these rolls with a maple-cream filling every Christmas—and still does!" she says. "Mom always makes extra and freezes them for later. They're great for breakfast or any time of day!"
Maple Butter Twists [42]
Sausage Polenta with Nestled Eggs [45]
Green chiles and shredded cheese lend Southwest flavor to this hearty breakfast casserole that you can prepare the night before and bake in the morning.
Easy Huevos Rancheros Casserole [49]
Cumin, garlic, and fresh cilantro season eggs and potatoes in this quick and easy casserole. Garnish with salsa and sour cream.
Tomato-Zucchini Strata [53]
Swiss cheese, plump tomatoes, tender zucchini and herbs flavor this rich breakfast bake. Bonus: You can make it a day ahead and bake it in the morning.
Morning Pecan Casserole [57]
A crunchy, pralinelike layer tops this easy, make-ahead brunch dish with raisin-bread strata and pieces of sausage patties.
Spinach Quiche a la Goldmoor [61]
An easy-to-use frozen spinach souffle makes this quiche's eggy-sausage filling easy to prepare. The recipe is from the Goldmoor Inn near Galena, Illinois.
Stuffed Croissant Breakfast Strata [65]
The combination of croissants, bacon and cheese create an indulgent make-ahead treat for breakfast or brunch. Croissant pieces fit into the baking dish like a puzzle.
Goat Cheese, Artichoke and Smoked Ham Strata [69]
This brunch recipe comes from Carol Mortensen of Flossmoor, Illinois. "My husband and I began hosting brunches in 1986. This goat cheese, artichoke and smoked ham strata became our favorite brunch dish," she says. "The best part is preparing it the night before to bake in the morning."
Creamy Butter-Pecan Cinnamon Rolls [73]
We can't resist a good sticky roll -- especially if it's this easy to make. Starting with frozen bread dough, we added brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans and chocolate chips. When you turn it out, it makes its own gooey topping.
Creamy Butter-Pecan Cinnamon Rolls with Chocolate recipe [74]
Egg 'n' Bacon Breakfast Casserole [77]
South Dakota chef Doug Hanson shared this make-ahead recipe from his grandmother. "You can't go wrong with eggs, cheese and bacon," he says.
Gingerbread-Sour Cream Muffins [81]
We took a traditional holiday dessert ingredient -- gingerbread -- and turned it into a muffin. Crystallized ginger tops off these treats.
Finnish Baked Pancakes [85]
This recipe comes from the Poplar Creek Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast on the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais, Minnesota. The traditional big pancake has been adapted into a lighter version: puffed pancakes. Poplar Creek also serves up a delicious Stuffed French Toast, flavored with cream cheese, apricot preserves and pecans.
Herbed Egg-Potato breakfast [90]
You can assemble the cheesy Herbed Egg-Potato Bake up to two days ahead and refrigerate it. Serve with Sugared Bacon-Wrapped Smokies sausage and warm Cranberry-Apple Crisp.
Herbed Egg-Potato breakfast [91]
Sunrise Smoothies [96]
Not only are smoothies great-tasting -- they're good for you, too. Try this one with a sliced strawberry garnish.
Chocolate-Pecan Coffee Cake [100]
We put together our favorite coffee cake ingredients for this holiday recipe: chocolate, butter, sour cream, pecans and coconut. It's worth the indulgence!
Spicy Brunch Lasagna [104]
This hearty brunch casserole features Italian sausage, purchased Alfredo sauce, hash browns, mozzarella cheese, oven-ready lasagna noodles and cottage cheese.
Spicy Brunch Lasagna [105]
Cheese Blintzes [108]
Some blintz recipes have you cook the stuffed crepes again, but we streamlined the recipe. Serve for brunch or as a dessert.
Cheese Blintzes [109]
Baked Brie Strata [112]
Brie cheese, zucchini, and Roma and cherry tomates update this classic brunch casserole.
Baked Brie Strata [113]
Chocolate-Almond Bubble Wreath [116]
Chocolate wrapped in sweet-roll dough forms bite-size bubbles in this bread. It's great for breakfast or snacks. You'll love it warm from the oven.
Winter Wake-Up Muffins [120]
Customize this breakfast staple with your choice of dried fruits or veggies. Add cranberries for a tangy holiday treat or zucchini for something savory. If you prefer scones to muffins, try our Fresh Cranberry Scones with a cream cheese spread.
Cream Cheese-Filled Breakfast Pancakes [125]
Topped with fresh fruit and wrapped around a rich cream cheese filling, these crepelike pancakes add color and flavor to any special-occasion breakfast or brunch. The recipe comes from the Artists Colony Inn in Nashville, Indiana.
Hot Coffee Latte Eggnog [129]
A stick of cinnamon, whipped cream, ground spice or a peppermint stick adds a special-occasion touch to a homemade eggnog blend.
Hot Coffee Latte Eggnog recipe [130]
Heavenly Hots [135]
This recipe came from Ina Pinkney, owner of Ina's Kitchen in Chicago. She makes three kinds of pancakes: whole-wheat oatmeal, gingerbread with lemon cream and these sour cream cakes. "I believe in pancakes so good, you don't need syrup," she says. Serve with a warm fruit compote on the side.
Heavenly Hots recipe [136]
Potato Bacon Skillet [139]
People love the sounds of food cooking in iron skillets. The irresistible combination of Cajun andouille sausage and bacon bump up the flavor of this home-style breakfast dish. A cast-iron skillet browns it best.
Caramel Apple Crepes [143]
Rediscover how easy these tender, thin pancakes are to mix and cook. Serve with sweet or savory fillings and toppings.
Fresh Fruit with Orange-Honey Yogurt Sauce [147]
Add a dash of color to your breakfast table by borrowing from the spa menu at Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Guests are pampered with a rainbow of fruit with yogurt sauce on the side.
Smoked Turkey Quiche [151]
This variation of a classic quiche recipe combines smoked turkey breast with Swiss cheese, eggs and cream. Serve with fresh fruit and homemade sweet rolls for a hearty start to the day. The recipe comes from the Engesser House Bed and Breakfast in St. Peter, Minnesota.
Smoked Turkey Quiche [152]
Kringla breakfast cookies [155]
Rolling and shaping these Scandinavian breakfast cookies is a fun and creative family bonding activity. Just don't get too carried away with flour, which can make the breadlike pastries tough and dry.
Kringla recipe [156]
Pasta Frittata [159]
Diners at Ina's Kitchen in Chicago get a giant, Parmesan-sprinkled wedge of this baked frittata served with sauteed tomatoes. We like it with a marinara sauce, too.
Pasta Frittata recipe [160]
Wisconsin Snow Pudding [163]
This fluffy brunch dessert looks like a snow sculpture. Serve with Custard Sauce and fresh raspberries.
Wisconsin Snow Pudding [164]