The holidays are filled with family gatherings. Enjoy these easy, make-ahead recipes to simplify your holiday breakfast and impress your guests.
Croissant Lemon Berry Delight
Casserole Ingredients:
6 large croissants (from the bakery) sliced into cubes
3 cups mixed berries
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
5 eggs at room temperature
2 cups half and half at room temperature
3⁄4 tablespoon vanilla extract
3⁄4 tablespoon lemon juice
Lemon Glaze ingredients:
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1½ tablespoons lemon juice
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and toast the cubed croissants in a baking dish for 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, half and half, lemon juice, vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Place the toasted croissants into a greased 9×13 pan and layer with 1½ cups berries. Pour custard mix on top and then add the remaining berries on top. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake, covered for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Set aside and make glaze by adding all ingredients to a bowl and mixing until smooth. Drizzle over the casserole and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
Hearty Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients:
8 eggs
2–3 cups torn bread pieces
3½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 pound breakfast sausage, browned
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheese of choice
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon thyme
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray. Layer torn bread pieces on the bottom of the pan to completely cover. Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over the bread. Whisk eggs and heavy whipping cream and red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Pour mixture into the baking dish. Add bacon and sausage on top of egg mixture. Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with rosemary and thyme. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until the center is done.
Gourmet Hot Chocolate
Add a little extra pizazz to your hot chocolate by using half and half instead of milk, sprinkle with cinnamon and top with a snowman made out of marshmallows and pretzel sticks.
Ingredients:
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup of cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
Milk or half and half
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir. For individual servings, combine ½ cocoa mix with ½ cup milk. Add the desired amount of cocoa mix with milk to the desired sweetness. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.
Hashbrown Bites
Ingredients:
20-ounce bag, refrigerated hash brown potatoes
3⁄4 cup green onions, sliced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup pepper jack cheese, optional
Directions:
Spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir. Evenly add mixture to each muffin tin and lightly press down. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. These can be made in advance and reheated for convenience.
Eggnog Martini
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce Kahlua
1 ounce brewed coffee, cooled
3 ounces eggnog
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of cinnamon
Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake. Pour into a glass and serve over the rocks.