6 Christmas Brunch Ideas to Make Your Holiday Morning Special

Christmas morning is about more than just tearing into presents and sipping coffee. When you put together a festive brunch, you turn the whole morning into a celebration and bring everyone together at the table.

A good mix of sweet and savory dishes really sets the mood for the day.

Planning brunch for Christmas doesn’t need to be stressful or complicated. You can go for indulgent picks like crepes and waffles, or just throw together hearty casseroles that feed a crowd.

These recipes hit that sweet spot between festive flavors and easy prep. Your holiday morning feels special, but you’re not stuck in the kitchen all day.

Strawberry Crepes with Whipped Cream

Strawberry crepes add a little French flair to your Christmas brunch. These thin pancakes taste amazing with fresh strawberries and a pile of whipped cream.

It’s kind of wild how a few simple ingredients can turn into something so special. These crepes make a lovely sweet breakfast or even a light dessert.

You get tender crepes, juicy strawberries, and rich whipped cream in every bite. The strawberries bring both natural sweetness and a pop of color to your table.

Complete List of Ingredients

For the crepes:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1½ cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Butter for cooking

For the filling and topping:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Additional powdered sugar for dusting

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk flour, eggs, milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until smooth. Let the batter rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Heat a non-stick or crepe pan over medium. Lightly butter the surface.
3. Pour ¼ cup of batter into the center and swirl to cover the bottom.
4. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the edges lift and the bottom looks golden. Flip gently and cook another 30 seconds.
5. Move the crepe to a plate and cover with a towel. Keep stacking crepes as you finish them.
6. Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form. Don’t overdo it.
7. Slice the strawberries thinly and set aside the prettiest ones for topping.
8. Lay a crepe on your plate. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of whipped cream down the center.
9. Add a line of strawberries on top. Fold or roll up the crepe.
10. Repeat with the rest. Top with extra berries, a dollop of whipped cream, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Syrup

Gingerbread waffles bring those classic holiday spices right to your brunch table. You get crispy outsides, fluffy insides—what’s not to love?

Molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves come together for that unmistakable gingerbread flavor. Maple syrup just makes it better.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Maple syrup for serving

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your waffle iron as the manufacturer recommends.
2. Mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Whisk milk, molasses, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in another bowl.
4. Pour the wet mix into the dry and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix.
5. Spray or brush the waffle iron lightly with butter.
6. Pour in the batter—how much depends on your waffle maker.
7. Cook until golden and crisp, following your waffle iron’s instructions.
8. Serve hot with warm maple syrup.

A little whipped cream or powdered sugar makes them extra festive. Fresh berries or a pat of butter also work nicely.

Blueberry Crunch Breakfast Bake

This breakfast bake is like French toast met a blueberry crisp. Sweet blueberries pop in every bite.

It’s a great choice for Christmas morning since you can prep it the night before. Just pop it in the oven when you wake up.

The oat, brown sugar, and butter topping turns golden and crisp, while the base stays soft and custardy. You can use fresh or frozen blueberries—whatever you’ve got.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 8 cups cubed day-old bread
• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and scatter the bread cubes in an even layer.
2. Toss blueberries with cornstarch and sprinkle over the bread.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl.
4. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread and berries so everything gets soaked.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. When ready, preheat the oven to 350°F.
7. For the topping, mix oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl.
8. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
9. Remove the casserole from the fridge and sprinkle the crumb topping all over.
10. Bake uncovered 45-55 minutes until the center is set and the top turns golden.
11. Cool for 10 minutes before serving so it sets up nicely.

Spiced Eggnog Pancakes

Eggnog pancakes just scream Christmas. They’re fluffy and taste like the holidays in pancake form.

Instead of milk, you use eggnog. That brings in those cozy spices—nutmeg and cinnamon—right into the batter.

You end up with pancakes that are soft, festive, and full of flavor. They’re pretty irresistible if you ask me.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups eggnog
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Butter or oil for cooking

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
2. Beat eggnog, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla together in another bowl.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just mixed. Don’t overmix.
4. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium and grease lightly.
5. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the griddle.
6. Cook until bubbles form and edges start to look set, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until golden.
8. Serve hot with maple syrup and a little whipped cream.

Cheesy Breakfast Casserole

A cheesy breakfast casserole is classic comfort food for Christmas morning. You can throw it together the night before and just bake it when you get up.

Eggs, cheese, and bread all come together in this filling dish. The cheese melts into a creamy base, and you get those crispy edges everyone fights over.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 cups cubed day-old bread
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 2 tablespoons butter for greasing

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions

1. Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish with butter.
2. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a big bowl.
3. Add the bread cubes and stir gently to coat.
4. Let the bread soak for 10 minutes so it absorbs the liquid.
5. Fold in cheddar, mozzarella, and bits of cream cheese.
6. Stir in the cooked sausage and green onions.
7. Pour everything into your baking dish and spread it out.
8. If you’re prepping ahead, cover and refrigerate overnight.
9. When ready, preheat oven to 350°F.
10. Uncover and bake 45-50 minutes until the center is set.
11. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving so it firms up a bit.

Lemon Poppyseed Sheet Pan Pancakes

Honestly, Christmas morning feels a lot easier with these sheet pan pancakes. Instead of standing over the stove, you get to hang out with your family and just enjoy breakfast.

Lemon and poppyseed really brighten things up, don’t they? The citrus flavor pops, and it just feels a bit more festive.

Ricotta cheese brings so much tenderness and fluff to these pancakes. You’ll probably notice the difference right away.

You can bake the whole batch at once, so everything cooks evenly in the oven. Just slice them into neat squares when they’re done—super simple.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Butter for greasing pan

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions

1. Set your oven to 375°F and generously butter a large rimmed baking sheet.
2. In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds.
3. Grab another bowl and beat the eggs. Whisk in milk, ricotta, melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently—just until everything comes together. It’s okay if it’s a little lumpy.
5. Spread the batter onto your buttered baking sheet. Try to get it as even as you can right up to the edges.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes. You want the top golden brown, and a toothpick poked in the center should come out clean.
7. Let it cool for about 5 minutes. Cut the pancakes into squares and serve them up with maple syrup or a pile of fresh berries.