10 Best Holiday Morning Breakfasts

Wake up to the festive aroma of gingerbread on Christmas morning with this delightful overnight French toast bake. All you need is a loaf of thick-sliced country bread, a blend of warming spices to add to the egg mixture, and cranberries for a hint of tartness. Prepare it the day before and refrigerate overnight before popping it in the oven while the family opens their gifts.

A savoury breakfast treat that combines the delicious flavours of everything bagels and cream cheese in a flaky hand pie, these tarts are a must-add to your holiday brunch table. It’s an elevated take on a childhood favourite and you’ll be transported to your youth with just one bite.

If you can’t get enough everything bagel seasoning, you have to try Molly Yeh’s Bagel Salad recipe.

While banana bread can be enjoyed year-round, it’s special enough to make the Christmas morning breakfast spread. Bake a loaf or two ahead of time and freeze them until you’re ready to eat, and then nibble on a slice along with a hot cup of coffee.

In addition to banana bread, bake this highly snackable gingerbread spiced pound cake for the holidays.

If you have leftover latkes from a Hanukkah soiree, skip the English muffins and use the potato pancakes as the base of a scrumptious eggs Benedict. Layer it with smoked salmon, a poached egg and an easy Hollandaise sauce for an impressive holiday brunch dish.

Related: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Latke Charcuterie Board

The secret to these fluffy Belgian waffles is making the batter the night before and allowing it to sit overnight in a cool room. In the morning, simply beat some eggs with baking soda and add them to the batter mixture, heat up the waffle iron and cook until the waffles are golden brown. Serve them alongside an assortment of toppings — like whipped cream, maple syrup, sliced fruit and toasted coconut — so that everyone can customize their own waffle.

Is there a better time than the holiday season for the fanciest of ham and cheese sandwiches topped with a sunny side up egg? Look no further than the croque madame. To make it even more special, switch out the bread for a buttery, flaky croissant. This is a meal that you’ll want to savour each luscious bite.

Related: Is the Croissant Actually French? We Investigate

It doesn’t get more hygge than the holiday season, and Scandinavian cardamom buns were made for cozy winter mornings. The cardamom is incorporated into the dough, filling and glaze, giving these buns a floral, spicy kick that will please the senses.

Want another hit of cardamom in a baked good? Try these Cardamom Teff Apple Muffins

Cilbir, also known as Turkish eggs, is a divine dish that fits right in with your Christmas breakfast menu. The poached eggs are served on a bed of herbed, garlicky yogurt and drizzled with a spicy butter sauce. Make sure you serve it with lots of crusty bread so you can scoop up every delicious bite.

Want to try more savoury yogurt dishes? Make this homemade labneh recipe topped with roasted beets and hazelnuts.

Breakfast casseroles are exactly what you need when entertaining a crowd during the holiday season. This recipe takes everything you love about an everything bagel breakfast sandwich and bakes it into a golden, cheesy dish that can be assembled the night before and popped into the oven when you wake up.

For a sweet brunch option, this blueberry and bacon breakfast casserole features some of Canada’s most celebrated ingredients.

On a chilly winter morning, why not warm up with a spicy, restaurant-style huevos rancheros in the comfort of your home? Made with corn tortillas, a piquant tomato sauce, eggs and black beans, serve this breakfast dish along with crumbled cotija cheese and creamy sliced avocado.