One of our family’s favorite holiday traditions is hosting a big brunch on Christmas morning. It’s the one of the few days when my mom allows others to help her in the kitchen. Preparing this holiday meal has always been a way we spend quality time together and when you’re surrounded by comfort food everyone seems to be in a great mood.
The following recipes are ones that we’ve been making for years. And the best part is you can prepare it in advance, which means you won’t be slaving away in the kitchen while the rest of the family is enjoying their new gifts.
The ham and egg bake comes with no surprises (perfect for those picky pint-sized eaters) and is very simple to make. It’s also a great recipe to incorporate any leftover ham you might have from Christmas Eve dinner. Likewise with the muffin tops, any remaining cranberries you have from other baking projects or side dishes can be used in the recipe.
HAM AND EGG BRUNCH BAKE
Ingredients:
6 to 7 slices firm white bread (we use Pepperidge Farm)
1 pound baked ham, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 pound aged Cheddar cheese, cut in 1/2 inch cubes
3 large eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
Directions:
Butter a 13 x 9 x 2 inch-baking dish. Cut bread into 1/2-inch cubes and combine with ham cubes. Spread over bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese cubes.
Beat eggs until well blended; add milk, mustard and salt and blend. Pour milk mixture over bread mixture. Pour melted butter over top of pan.
Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Remove pan from refrigerator; discard wrap.
Bake in a 325-degree oven for 1 hour.
Serves 8.
**Note: This recipe must be made the night before so the bread properly absorbs the milk mixture.**
CRANBERRY EGGNOG MUFFIN TOPS
Ingredients for Muffin Tops:
1 egg
2 1/2 cups buttermilk baking mix
2/3 cup eggnog
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2/3 cup chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Icing:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon soft cream cheese
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Beat egg until foamy. Stir in baking mix, eggnog, sugar, butter and nutmeg, mixing just until moistened. Fold in cranberries and nuts.
Drop batter by 1/4 cup measure onto buttered cookie sheet, 3 inches apart.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.
Cream Cheese Icing:
Mix together powdered sugar, cream cheese and enough milk to make desired consistency.
Drizzle icing over warm muffin tops; sprinkle with additional nutmeg.
Serves 12.
Recipes for Other Christmas Treats:
Christmas Cookie Exchange: Pinwheels and Tassies
Hawaiian Style Christmas Cookies
Peanut Butter Lovers’ Dream Cookie
Easy Holiday Cookie Bar Recipes
Cookie Exchange: Pignoli Cookies