Every year on Christmas day, my intent is to try and get some extra sleep. Well, a mom
can dream…
Typically my kids enthusiastically wake me up and beg to open presents which have magically appeared under the tree while they were all snug in their beds.
By the time wrapping paper, ribbon, and boxes have fast and furiously redecorated our living room, the kids realize they are beyond hungry for breakfast.
Which then brings me to the question, “What’s for breakfast on Christmas Day???”
Given I’m in the bread business, this recipe is a no-brainer. I have yet to meet a kid (including my 3) who isn’t a raving fan of Great Harvest Cinnamon Chip. Hopefully this recipe brings smiles to more households than just mine!
The Night Before Christmas
This will take you 10-15 minutes to prep the night before Christmas.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks)
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Optional: 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans
- 9-10 slices of Great Harvest Cinnamon Chip bread from your local bread store
- 8 eggs
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp ginger
- 1/8 tsp cloves
Directions
Spray a 9x13 casserole dish or cake pan with pan release. Melt the butter either in the microwave or on the stove top. Pour the melted butter into the casserole dish. Add the brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon to the butter. (If you choose to add the optional nuts, add them now).
Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula to incorporate and then spread the butter/sugar mix evenly throughout the dish. Next, place cinnamon chip slices throughout the bottom of the dish. Do a second layer of slices but arrange them a different direction than the first layer. You can tear some slices to fill in the cracks. It doesn’t have to look pretty, you just want to fill in all the gaps.
In a large bowl, whisk your eggs, milk, vanilla, ginger, and cloves. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the bread slices. Cover with tin foil and refrigerate overnight.
Christmas Day
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake casserole in oven for 40 minutes. The casserole should be golden brown. Then cover with foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until center is set. Cut into squares and serve bottom-side up. (Yields 12 servings.)
For other great ideas on what to make and eat this holiday season, check out one of my favorite recipe sites.
What's usually for breakfast at your house on Christmas morning?
