Festive Brunch Recipes

Baked French Toast with Chocolate casserole
Photo: Carson Downing

Celebrate any special occasion with our recipes for brunch casseroles, muffins, coffee cakes, quiches and more.

01 of 27

Tomato-Zucchini Strata

Tomato Zucchini Strata
Rachel Marek / Kelsey Moylan

Make this casserole a day ahead and bake it in the morning. Your brunch guests will love the combo of Swiss cheese, plump tomatoes, zucchini and herbs.

02 of 27

Dutch Baby with Chai-Spiced Pears

Dutch Baby with Chai-Spiced Pears
Carson Downing

The combination of spiced, buttery pears; tart creme fraiche; and baked pancake is sublime, and so festive. For maximum puff, let the eggs and milk sit out for 30 minutes to take the chill off before making the batter.

03 of 27

Baked French Toast with Chocolate

Baked French Toast with Chocolate casserole
Carson Downing

At Honey and Rye in Minneapolis, day-old bread gets a new life in this rich, fluffy French toast casserole. You can easily change it up by using fresh or dried fruit (sour cherries, blueberries, banana) instead of (or in addition to) chocolate, or adding spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg.

04 of 27

Cinny Biscuits

Cinny Biscuits
Carson Downing

At The Bake Shop and Cafe in Cleveland, Shawnda Moye offers the Cinny, a warm cinnamon roll-meets-biscuit that somehow becomes more divine when paired with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.

05 of 27

Blueberry Surprise French Toast Casserole

Blueberry Surprise French Toast Casserole

Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in this casserole, which gets a generous topping of blueberry or maple syrup (or try a homemade Blueberry Sauce). The recipe comes from Turkey Run Inn at Turkey Run State Park in east-central Indiana.

06 of 27

Fig and Pig Quiche

Fig and Pig Quiche
Carson Downing

One of the signature recipes at Maya-Camille Broussard's Chicago bakery, Justice of the Pies, is this kicky bacon-topped quiche that will satisfy sweet and salty lovers alike.

07 of 27

Kringla Breakfast Cookies

Kringla breakfast cookies

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.

08 of 27

Fruit and Nut Granola

Fruit and Nut Granola

At Abilene's Victorian Inn in Kansas, guests might eat this granola 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.

09 of 27

Sausage-Apple Dutch Baby

Sausage-Apple Dutch Baby

Why fry sausage separately when you can cook it right into the pancake? That kind of ease is just one reason we love this sweet-and-savory Dutch baby pancake. The batter's quick, and in the 15 minutes while it bakes, you can whip up the maple-glazed apple topping.

10 of 27

Stuffed Croissant Breakfast Strata

Stuffed Croissant Breakfast Strata

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.

11 of 27

Darling Clementine Mocktail

Darling Clementine Mocktail

No offense to the classic mimosa, but not everyone wants to booze with their brunch. Enter the Darling Clementine, a tart, fizzy, deliciously pink, nonalcoholic alternative to classic morning cocktails.

12 of 27

Chocolate-Kissed Monkey Bread

Chocolate-Kissed Monkey Bread

Caramel, chocolate and cinnamon give this monkey bread a delicious flavor. Be sure to get the large flaky biscuits for easy shaping.

13 of 27

Pork 'n' Pippins Quiche

Pork ‘n’ Pippins Quiche

Round Barn Farm in Red Wing, Minnesota, served this sweet-and-savory quiche with a dollop of sour cream and seasoned, broiled tomato halves on the side.

14 of 27

Extra-Good Hot Chocolate

Extra-Good Hot Chocolate
Carson Downing

Serve this rich and creamy cocoa topped with whipped cream and dusted with cocoa powder or—for cool-season feels—cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg.

15 of 27

Lazy Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Lazy Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Pizza dough is the secret shortcut in this 45-minutes-and-done recipe. It doesn't yield a fluffy Amish-style roll, but rather a breakfast treat with a toothsome chew, like the love child of cinnamon buns and garlic knots.

16 of 27

Mini Egg Pastries with Bearnaise Sauce

Mini Egg Pastries with Bearnaise Sauce

These elegant brunch pastries pair well with cinnamon rolls and fruit.

17 of 27

Classic Challah

Classic Challah

Minnesota blogger Molly Yeh often twists her challahs into simple spirals. This recipe—adapted from her cookbook Molly on the Range (Rodale)—makes four small loaves, perfect for freezing or sharing. (Slightly stale challah also makes dreamy French toast.)

18 of 27

Lazy Morning Sausage Pie

Lazy Morning Sausage Pie

Guests enjoyed breakfast favorites such as this classic biscuit mix recipe at Triangle Ranch in western South Dakota.

19 of 27

Swedish Lemon Pancakes

Swedish Lemon Pancakes

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.

20 of 27

Maple Butter Twists

Maple Butter Twists

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," she says. You can make extra and freeze for later. "They're great for breakfast or any time of day!"

21 of 27

Finnish Baked Pancakes

Finnish Baked Pancakes

This recipe comes from the Poplar Creek Guesthouse 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.

22 of 27

Chocolate-Pecan Coffee Cake

Chocolate-Pecan Coffee Cake

We put together our favorite coffee cake ingredients for this holiday recipe: chocolate, butter, sour cream, pecans and coconut. It's worth the indulgence!

23 of 27

Patsy's Egg Casserole

Patsy's Egg Casserole

This make-ahead sausage-and-cheese brunch recipe will be a hit at family holiday gatherings.

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Goat Cheese, Artichoke and Smoked Ham Strata

Goat Cheese, Artichoke and Smoked Ham Strata

This brunch recipe comes from Carol Mortensen of Flossmoor, Illinois. "This goat cheese, artichoke and smoked ham strata is our favorite brunch dish," she says. "The best part is preparing it the night before to bake in the morning."

25 of 27

Gingerbread-Sour Cream Muffins

Gingerbread-Sour Cream Muffins

We took a traditional holiday dessert ingredient— gingerbread—and turned it into a muffin. Crystallized ginger tops off these treats.

26 of 27

Cheese Blintzes

Cheese Blintzes

Some blintz recipes have you cook the stuffed crepes again, but we streamlined the recipe. Serve for brunch or as a dessert.

27 of 27

Swedish Tea Ring

Swedish Tea Ring

Sprinkled with chopped red and green cherries, this tender, walnut-filled pastry is a perfect treat for Christmas morning.

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