Christmas Brunch Menu and Make-Ahead Plan

A good Christmas brunch has one sweet dish, one savory dish, something fresh, and plenty to drink, and most of it can be finished the night before. Serve it between 10 a.m. and noon, after stockings and before the big dinner, and you only need to cook one thing in the morning.

Step 1: Pick Your Menu

Choose one item from each group. This keeps the menu balanced and the workload small.

Sweet

• Panettone French toast with pomegranate: assemble it the night before and bake in the morning.
• Mince pie cinnamon rolls with caramel: a showstopper that can be shaped the night before and baked fresh.

Savory

• A baked egg casserole or a quiche, assembled the night before.
• Sliced glazed ham from a roast made a day or two ahead, served cold or gently warmed.

Baked

• Spiced eggnog banana bread with pecan topping, which tastes even better the next day.

Fresh

• Kale salad with candied pecans and cranberries. Kale holds its texture, so it can be dressed an hour ahead.
• A bowl of citrus segments and pomegranate seeds.

Drinks

• Coffee and tea in a big thermos or carafe.
• Orange marmalade hot chocolate for kids and adults.
• Pear blackberry sparkling punch for a toast. See all drinks.

Step 2: Decide How Many to Feed

Brunch portions run smaller than dinner, but people usually take a bit of everything. Per adult, plan on:

• 1 to 2 slices of French toast or 1 cinnamon roll
• 1 serving of the savory dish (about 4 to 6 oz of ham, or one slice of casserole)
• 1 slice of bread
• A small scoop of salad or fruit
• 2 cups of coffee or tea and one glass of something festive

Kids eat less of the savory dish and more of the sweet one. Round up on the sweet items.

Step 3: Make-Ahead Timeline

Three days before

1. Make a shopping list and buy everything except fresh fruit and bakery items.
2. Bake the banana bread. Wrap it tightly once it is fully cool.

Two days before

1. Roast or glaze the ham, if using. Chill it whole.
2. Make candied pecans for the salad and store them in a jar.

The day before (Christmas Eve)

1. Assemble the French toast or casserole in its baking dish. Cover and refrigerate.
2. Shape the cinnamon rolls, place them in the pan, cover, and refrigerate.
3. Wash and chop the kale. Mix the dressing in a jar.
4. Slice the ham.
5. Set the table and put out cups, plates, and serving spoons. Our table setting guide has a simple layout.
6. Fill the coffee maker and set it up with a timer, if you have one.

Step 4: Christmas Morning Timeline

Work backward from your serving time. If you serve at 11 a.m.:

1. 9:00 Take the French toast and cinnamon rolls out of the fridge to take the chill off. Preheat the oven.
2. 9:30 Put the French toast in the oven. It usually bakes 35 to 45 minutes, until puffed and golden with a center that springs back.
3. 9:45 Start the coffee. Slice any fruit.
4. 10:00 Put the cinnamon rolls in the oven, on a lower or upper rack as space allows. Warm the ham slices in a covered dish at low heat if you want them warm.
5. 10:30 Dress the salad. Pour juice, and set out the punch to chill.
6. 10:50 Pull everything from the oven. Let the French toast rest for 5 minutes so it slices cleanly.
7. 11:00 Serve. Eat while it is warm.

If your oven is small, bake the casserole first and tent it with foil to keep it warm while the rolls bake.

Step 5: Keep the Morning Calm

• Do stockings and gifts first, then brunch, so kids do not rush through gifts to eat.
• Give each helper one job: pouring drinks, setting out plates, or carrying dishes.
• Use paper napkins and a single set of plates to keep the dishwasher manageable. A pot of coffee on the table lets people refill themselves.
• Keep dinner plans in mind. If a big dinner follows, make brunch a lighter version and use the Christmas dinner timeline to avoid overlapping oven use.

Dietary Notes

Offer at least one option for guests who avoid eggs, dairy, or gluten. Fresh fruit, the kale salad, and a pot of plain oatmeal with toppings cover most needs. The spiced cranberry ginger mocktail is a nonalcoholic option that still feels festive.

Quick Checklist

• Menu chosen: one sweet, one savory, one baked, one fresh, drinks
• Shopping done by December 22
• Bread baked and wrapped
• Ham roasted and sliced, if using
• French toast and rolls assembled on Christmas Eve
• Salad dressing mixed
• Table set the night before
• Coffee maker loaded
• Oven schedule written on paper
• Allergy-friendly option on the table
• Jobs assigned to helpers