We have lighter breakfast options here, like grapefruit salad with vanilla syrup and yogurt; or healthy ones, like Nutty superfood breakfast bites, plus some more indulgent options. With a day of feasting and revelry ahead, breakfast is ideal for packing in some fruit, veggies, and protein with dishes that are a little heartier than breakfast smoothies. But let’s not rule out decadent breakfasts altogether. A sweet morning treat can be just as great as even the best Christmas gifts.
Our French toast casserole, made from layers of sourdough bread soaked in a maple syrup custard, is an impressive crowd-pleaser you can bake the night before and reheat.The Gluten-free carrot coconut bread is simple, airy, moist, and sweet.Our Baked oatmeal with cranberries and almonds will delight breakfast lovers who fantasize about a casserole-cookie hybrid (and can be made entirely ahead of time, too).To feed a crowd, opt for a couple lighter dishes plus one or two rich ones, or pick one all-in-one dish, like our Breakfast wreath.
No matter which breakfast item you serve on Christmas morning, everyone will thank you. Sourdough or country bread works best here. Thick slices get soaked in a rich egg custard sweetened with maple syrup and spiced with cinnamon. Layered in too are raisins and crunchy pecans, for an extra festive touch. Bake this dish a day ahead (it actually gets better if it sits overnight). Day of, just cover with foil and pop in the oven before serving. They’re made of wholesome, fiber-rich ingredients—rolled oats, almond flour, walnuts, and a shower of shredded carrots—that mitigate the release of added sugar into your bloodstream. The result is a batch of tasty make-ahead treats for your holiday morning that you’ll crave all year long. This recipe is customizable, too; so feel free to swap cashews for almonds, or dried cranberries for goji berries. Brown rice syrup is available at most health foods stores and does the best job of binding the ingredients together without making the bars sticky. It also gives a gorgeous shiny finish, which you can further enhance with a drizzle of dark chocolate. Merry Christmas indeed! And don’t let “slow-cooker” scare you off: Cook time is as little as 2 hours, so you can even put it together the day of with just 20 minutes of prep. Or make it the day before and serve it cold, or cover it in foil and reheat it in the oven. To save time Christmas morning, boil your potatoes the night before and cover them in cold water to prevent them from browning. Use your prettiest large skillet (we love cast iron) because you’ll want to bring the whole thing to the table.
