Magical Christmas Brunch

Why Make This Magical Christmas Brunch

The Magical Christmas Brunch is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that brings family and friends together during the most festive time of the year. With delicious dishes that range from sweet to savory, this brunch showcases a blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and create lasting memories. Enjoy fluffy buttermilk pancakes, a savory spinach and feta quiche, and a delightful cinnamon roll casserole, all while gathering around the table adorned with holiday cheer. It’s a feast that feels both special and comforting, perfect for celebrating the season together.

How to Make Magical Christmas Brunch

Crafting your Magical Christmas Brunch is simpler than it sounds, and it’s all about preparation and timing. Start by preparing the buttermilk pancakes for a fluffy delight, then move on to the hearty spinach and feta quiche, which will fill your kitchen with its savory aroma. While these bake, put together the dessert-like cinnamon roll casserole to satisfy your sweet tooth. Fresh fruit salad with honey-lime dressing adds a refreshing touch to balance the flavors. Finally, don’t forget the breakfast sausage links and cheesy hashbrown casserole to round out your spread!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup feta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 2 tbsp honey
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 lb breakfast sausage links
• 1 bag frozen hashbrowns (30 oz)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 6 large egg yolks
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Nutmeg for garnish

Directions:

Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes:

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.
3. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until just mixed.
4. Heat a griddle over medium heat, pour ¼ cup of batter for each pancake, and cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook until golden brown.

Savory Spinach and Feta Quiche:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Sauté the spinach until wilted, then spread it in the pie crust.
3. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, heavy cream, feta, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the mixture over the spinach and bake for 35-40 minutes or until set.

Cinnamon Roll Casserole:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut the cinnamon rolls into quarters and place them in a greased baking dish.
3. Whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla.
4. Pour the mixture over the rolls and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing:

1. In a large bowl, combine the mixed berries and pineapple.
2. Whisk the honey and lime juice together and drizzle over the fruit, tossing gently.

Breakfast Sausage Links:

1. Cook the sausage links in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together the hashbrowns, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for 45 minutes.

Classic Eggnog:

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk and cream until steaming.
2. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until smooth.
3. Gradually add the warm milk mixture to the yolks, then return it to the saucepan and cook until thickened.
4. Chill the mixture, then stir in the vanilla and garnish with nutmeg before serving.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (approximate for one generous serving of the brunch spread):

• Calories: 650
• Total Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 19g
• Cholesterol: 300mg
• Sodium: 800mg
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 15g
• Protein: 21g

Note: Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredient brands and quantities used.

How to Serve Magical Christmas Brunch

Serving your Magical Christmas Brunch is all about presentation. Arrange the pancakes, quiche, and casseroles on a large table or buffet-style spread. Use festive plates and cutlery to enhance the holiday spirit. Garnish your dishes with fresh herbs or slices of fruit, and don’t forget to offer a warm selection of drinks like coffee, tea, and holiday-style eggnog.

How to Store Magical Christmas Brunch

If you have leftovers (which can be rare!), store each component separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The pancakes, quiche, and casseroles can last for about 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Expert Tips for Perfect Magical Christmas Brunch

• Prep Ahead: Many components, like the quiche and casseroles, can be prepared the night before. This saves time and reduces stress on the day of the brunch.
• Mix it Up: Feel free to swap out the feta for goat cheese or use a different mix of vegetables in the quiche based on seasonal availability.
• Double the Fun: If you’re hosting a larger gathering, consider doubling the recipes to ensure everyone gets a taste of these delicious delights.

Delicious Variations

• Vegetarian Options: Add more vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms to the quiche for a hearty vegetarian meal.
• Flavor Infusions: Experiment with flavored syrups instead of plain maple syrup for the cinnamon roll casserole, such as vanilla or hazelnut.
• Alternative Sweets: Instead of traditional eggnog, serve a spiced apple cider as a seasonal drink option for your brunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make the pancake batter ahead of time?

   • Yes, you can prepare the pancake batter the night before and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before cooking.

2. What can I do if I don’t have buttermilk?

   • You can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.

3. Can I freeze any of the dishes?

   • Yes! Both the quiche and hashbrown casserole can be frozen. Wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Conclusion

The Magical Christmas Brunch is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season with loved ones. This spread combines comfort foods and festive flavors that cater to a variety of tastes. Whether you’re enjoying it with family or friends, each dish serves as a reminder of the warmth and joy of the season. We encourage you to try this brunch and create sweet memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. Happy cooking, and may your holiday season be filled with joy and delicious flavors!

Magical Christmas Brunch

This brunch features a delightful mix of fluffy pancakes, savory quiche, a sweet cinnamon roll casserole, and refreshing fruit salad, perfect for festive gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1.25 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp melted butter

For the Savory Spinach and Feta Quiche

• 1 pie crust store-bought or homemade
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup feta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cinnamon Roll Casserole

• 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• 1 cup milk
• 0.5 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

• 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 2 tbsp honey
• Juice of 1 lime

For the Breakfast Sausage Links

• 1 lb breakfast sausage links

For the Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

• 1 bag frozen hashbrowns (30 oz)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Classic Eggnog

• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 6 large egg yolks
• 0.75 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Nutmeg for garnish

Method

 

Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.
3. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until just mixed.
4. Heat a griddle over medium heat, pour ¼ cup of batter for each pancake, and cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook until golden brown.

Savory Spinach and Feta Quiche

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Sauté the spinach until wilted, then spread it in the pie crust.
3. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, heavy cream, feta, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the mixture over the spinach and bake for 35-40 minutes or until set.

Cinnamon Roll Casserole

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut the cinnamon rolls into quarters and place them in a greased baking dish.
3. Whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla.
4. Pour the mixture over the rolls and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

1. In a large bowl, combine the mixed berries and pineapple.
2. Whisk the honey and lime juice together and drizzle over the fruit, tossing gently.

Breakfast Sausage Links

1. Cook the sausage links in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together the hashbrowns, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for 45 minutes.

Classic Eggnog

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk and cream until steaming.
2. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until smooth.
3. Gradually add the warm milk mixture to the yolks, then return it to the saucepan and cook until thickened.
4. Chill the mixture, then stir in the vanilla and garnish with nutmeg before serving.

Notes

Prep ahead to save time on the day of the brunch. Many components can be prepared the night before. Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.