My Easy Christmas Brunch Ideas

So, you know by now I’m all about easy. Whether it’s in decorating or life, I like things to be simple. This is especially true when I’m entertaining. My mantra when having guests over is to prepare as much as I can in advance so I can simply heat and serve on the day. That way I get to spend more time with my guests! Same goes for the dishes I serve. People love home-cooked fare but, in all honesty, it’s not what you put on the table, its about sharing the meal and enjoying the company. Making more work for yourself won’t make people have more fun. Adding stress by cooking fancy dishes won’t make you happier. So today, I’m sharing these easy Christmas brunch ideas with you. Most of them are so simple and tasty you could make them any time of the year! Merry Christmas. xxx

Why do an Easy Christmas Brunch?

Let’s add some context to the scenario. I have a small extended family. Every year from when the children were little it was tradition to get together at my parents’ house, eat brunch and open gifts. Being Aussies, we love a casual Christmas. Over the years, I added a few staple recipes to my easy Christmas brunch. I experimented with things I could make the night before. A vegetarian dish or two were also added after our daughter adopted a plant-based diet.

In the past, we haven’t even sat at the table to eat this brunch. Food was set up as a buffet on my mother’s large coffee table and we take plates and help ourselves. The younger family members sat on the floor. We serve finger food, listen to Christmas music and open our gifts.

This year though our brunch will need to be super easy as I am taking all the food to my parents new home. My mum has been ill and will not be able to cook so its a picnic-style brunch this year! Listed below are some of our family favourites to inspire you. Along with this there will be our staples of ham and cheese croissants, large bowls of cherries and raspberries served in glasses with vanilla yogurt and farmhouse granola.

Easy Christmas Brunch Idea #1: Farmhouse Baked Beans

My family love these. Farmhouse Baked Beans can be made the night before and heated up in the oven, microwave or stovetop. They can be served as individual portions or in a large dish with a spoon for guests to help themselves. I like to make individual ramekins with an egg baked on top. This takes 15 mins in an oven if you precook the beans the night before.

Christmas Cheer Mimosa

Our family Christmas brunch always begins with a Christmas Mimosa. It’s a great cocktail in both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions and is made a little festive with the addition of the redness of raspberries.

To make a Mimosa you will need

• a bottle of Champagne or Prosecco. I like to use a mid-range bottle of bubbles when mixing. It’s a sacrilege to use a more expensive bottle that should be savoured
• a litre of chilled orange juice. Freshly squeezed is best but I buy the expensive one from the shops because, you know. . .
• a cup of fresh or frozen raspberries
• rosemary, white sugar and lemon juice to garnish

To make the mimosa

Dip the rim of the glass into the edge of the lemon juice and roll in white sugar to decorate the rim.

Pop a few raspberries into the bottom of the glass and a sprig of rosemary.

Mix one part bubbles with one part orange juice and pour into glasses when your guests arrive. As a non-alcoholic version use soda water instead of alcohol.

Berry French Toast Casserole

I found this recipe at Joyous Apron some time back and I LOVE it! Not only can you make it ahead of time and reheat to serve but it combines all the things I love about Christmas and summer: raspberries, blueberries and maple syrup!

Bacon and Capsicum Quiche

This one really is a make-ahead recipe! Everyone knows the classic quiche and there are so many variations. I will make my quiche on Christmas Eve and serve it cold. It could also be made as mini quiches, which are true finer food! Mostly, I throw in whatever I happen to have handy but roasted capsicum, some chorizo and tasty cheese give this quiche a savoury taste that goes really well with the sweetness of the berry casserole.