Most houses (with kids anyhow) will have an early start on Christmas Day, with the excitement of what Santa has brought ensuring everyone is up from the early hours! These 10 Christmas brunch ideas will be substantial enough to fill hungry tummies that will be rumbling by mid-morning. Even though these are for the holiday season, they’re sure to be family favourites all year round.

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Indulge in festive treats from fluffy pancakes to suit all diets, to warm, fresh apple, cranberry and walnut bread. For the savoury palates, impress the family with a flawless presentation of potato cakes topped with a poached egg and smoked salmon, or assemble Christmas bruschetta that they will rave about for years to come.

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Delicious Christmas Brunch Ideas to Try

#1. Overnight French Toast

Who doesn’t love French Toast?! This drool-worthy french toast recipe from Tablespoon will go down a treat and it only takes 10 minutes to prep.

The Christmas brunch idea will ensure you aren’t running around on Christmas morning trying to get it together. Prepare it the night before and leave it to sit overnight to soak up all the favour. Bake it in a hot oven the next morning for 35 minutes and enjoy!

Image: BBC GoodFood

This next Christmas brunch idea is excellent for getting veggies in without anyone noticing. An alternative to the classic smoked salmon appetiser, I have made “smoked salmon” toast before and shocked guests at its likeness to the real deal.

Brought to you by BBC GoodFood, carrots are the main ingredient and they can be prepared the night before. On the big day, just spread the cream cheese to your bread of choice, add the carrot and top with your seaweed garnish.

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#3. Warm Apple, Cranberry and Walnut Bread

This delicious apple, cranberry and walnut bread can be baked on Christmas morning and eaten warm for brunch, or you could bake it in advance and freeze it, so it just needs defrosting and warming.

It is great served as is, or you could add some butter or freshly whipped cream to make it very decadent!

#4. Winter Waffles

Are you looking for a sweeter option for Christmas brunch? Waffles are a warm and delicious winter treat that can be topped with maple syrup, ice cream and fruit. Quick and easy, they only take two steps to make, so you can fill hungry bellies in no time at all.

#5. Breakfast Potato Cakes

Image: Seasonal Spuds

Do you have a busy Christmas morning? You need a simple recipe that can be made the night before and these spectacular breakfast potato cakes are the answer.

Created by Seasonal Spuds, these potato cakes won’t only wow with their presentation and flavour, but prep takes 30 minutes the night before and a swift 20 minutes on Christmas Day to make, plate and serve.

#6. Fluffy Festive Pancakes

Fluffy festive pancakes are the perfect Christmas brunch idea. A hit all year round, pancakes are so versatile that they can please even the trickest of dietary requirements. From the simple yet humble pancake to a gluten-free option, here are 4 of the best pancake recipes.

Serve with seasonal toppings or even cut the pancakes into shapes for double the fun.

#7. Seasonal Scones

Tantalise taste buds this holiday season with an award-winning scone recipe. Include some dried cranberries and grated orange zest to the mixture before you bake to add that taste of Christmas.

Treat the family to the freshly baked scones, hot out the oven with melted butter soaking into the warm centre. Plate with seasonal fruit, jam or whipped cream.

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#8. Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

This recipe for cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing captures Christmas with toasted pecan nuts and ground cinnamon. The festive treat comes from My Recipes and can be adapted by replacing the cream cheese with a plain or orange flavoured icing. Very yummy!

#9. Christmas Brunch Bruschetta

Create a tasty Christmas brunch bruschetta using all your favourite breakfast ingredients piled together on toasted sourdough bread.

To assemble the perfect Christmas bruschetta simply:

• Grill/broil or fry any of the following; sausages, bacon, mushrooms, white and black pudding.
• Roast some cherry/vine tomatoes with oil and salt in a hot oven.
• Make a batch of scrambled eggs.
• Once everything is cooked toast your bread and rub lightly with a peeled garlic clove.
• Load on your baked tomatoes, along with some of the oil and squash with a fork.
• Then let everyone add what they want from the other items.

#10. Chia Seed Pudding

The last of the Christmas brunch ideas is a healthy, colourful and fruity mix that will be a hit with the whole family. Make the chia seed pudding on Christmas Eve or a few hours before serving.

This Happy Pear recipe only takes 5 ingredients for each pot, so instead of recycling your jars, wash them and reuse them. The kids will love the novelty of having their own jar and they can get involved in adding a pinch of cinnamon or festive flavours to their pudding.

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Have your say! Do you have any Christmas Brunch Ideas? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!