Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Reclaim your space by parting with things in your home you no longer use or have been damaged over time. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    The sweetest way to say "I love you" is with one of these heartfelt, homemade Valentine's Day desserts. Whether you're looking for a treat for your partner, your Galentine's crew, or the co-workers who adore your home baking, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection, filled with heart-shaped cakes, cupcakes, and cookies—plus, easy chocolate truffles and decadent mousses and parfaits. Our recipes include desserts for two to share and sweets that feed a crowd. We rate them all above a bunch of red roses any day.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    These blooms are tolerant to the chilly conditions, which will allow you to get ahead on your spring flower garden.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    The spots develop when water dries on glass and leaves behind the minerals that were trapped inside.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    From disco ball art to punch needle embroidery, these are the projects that will dominate the DIY world in the new year, experts say.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    In short, yes—should you have a skin type that might benefit from an occlusive product.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Food & Cooking
  3. Recipes
  4. Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
  5. Hosting a Special Holiday Brunch? These Are the Recipes You Need

Hosting a Special Holiday Brunch? These Are the Recipes You Need

By Lynn Andriani Updated October 28, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
classic dutch baby topped with berries and cream
Credit: Lennart Weibull

Welcome Christmas, the New Year, or any festive day with a delicious, special brunch. You'll find many of your morning favorites here—along with a few surprises—including egg dishes, pancakes, waffles, and the most irresistible baked goods.

Start Slideshow

1 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
citrus-salad-a130522-04-8639-md110267.jpg
Credit: John Kernick

Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day mornings definitely call for something special, and the recipes in this gallery all deliver (and then some). Most of them are filling enough to tide you over until dinner, and all of them have something just a little extra that distinguishes them for your average brunch dish. Take Martha's Citrus Salad with Pomegranate Seeds, pictured here, for example: It's a stunning addition to the brunch table, but it doesn't require any cooking and it can be made, covered, and stored in the refrigerator the night before. 

Some of the recipes here are twists on classics, such as waffles infused with the warm spices of gingerbread (incredible when served with tangy sour cream and tart lingonberry preserves), bacon pancakes (think blueberry pancakes, but salty bacon instead), or French toast that's baked not cooked on the griddle. Even a traditional bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich gets a special occasion makeover thanks to the addition of creamed spinach and Gruyère popovers.

If you're looking for something really different, try broiling in-season persimmons and topping them with a dollop of sweetened mascarpone and a sprinkling of ginger or sugar. Or make a Dutch baby, which is basically the ultimate special-occasion pancake: It poofs up into a show-worthy display and is fantastic with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and warm maple syrup.

Baked goods are always welcome on a holiday table, and we've got some great ones here. Cinnamon Rolls are just irresistible and our recipe has an unexpected ingredient that makes these buns extra tender. And then there are Cake Doughnuts: Crisp on the outside, light and moist on the inside, they're totally decadent, and absolutely worthy of a holiday morning feast.

1 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Gingerbread Waffles

gingerbread-waffles-mld102960wafflesv2_13.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Not your ordinary breakfast staple, these waffles infused with the warm spices of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves and smell just like the holidays. They're delicious when served with tangy sour cream and tart lingonberry preserves (though any type of jam is fantastic).

2 of 14

3 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy Eggs Benedict

easy eggs benedict
Credit: Chris Simpson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a classic brunch dish that's wonderfully indulgent for a holiday morning and not so difficult to make thanks to our streamlined recipe. Hollandaise sauce and Canadian bacon are the two non-negotiables.

3 of 14

Advertisement

4 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Broiled Persimmons with Mascarpone

a99517_fpdessert.jpg
Credit: Beatriz DeCosta
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This delightful dish would be terrific alongside pancakes or French toast. Serve the persimmons hot, each half topped with a dollop of sweetened mascarpone and sprinkled with ginger or sugar.

4 of 14

5 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Classic Dutch Baby

classic dutch baby topped with berries and cream
Credit: Lennart Weibull
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A Dutch baby is the ultimate special-occasion pancake. To make it, you whir a few basic ingredients in a blender, pour the batter into a piping-hot skillet, and bake for 20 minutes (no need to flip). After it poofs up into a show-worthy display, serve with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and warm maple syrup.

5 of 14

6 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cinnamon Rolls

cinnamon rolls in glass pan with bowl of frosting
Credit: Lennart Weibull
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It's the holiday season, so if you're pulling out all the stops, make these fluffy cinnamon rolls. They're tender and delicious and sure to go fast. Plus, the dough can be made and the buns assembled a day ahead so all you need to do the morning of is pop them in the oven.

6 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salmon Tartines with Horseradish-Whipped Cream Cheese

Salmon Tartines with Horseradish-Whipped Cream Cheese
Credit: David Malosh
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Smoked salmon seems so fitting on a holiday morning, and these open-face sandwiches are certainly special occasion-worthy. Serving them on marble rye bread makes them feel extra fancy. Trout roe or salmon roe or caviar and fresh dill add a little extra oomph.

7 of 14

8 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy Florentine Egg Cups

plated florentine egg cups
Credit: Bryan Gardner
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Super-simple to make, this riff on a classic is just right for the holidays. The egg cups seem fancy but all you have to do is layer bread, spinach, and eggs in a muffin tin, then bake until the bread is toasted and the yolks are perfectly runny. 

8 of 14

9 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pear-and-Raspberry Baked French Toast

pear raspberry baked french toast
Credit: Julia Gartland
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Yes, you should serve your hungry holiday brunch crowd French toast, but instead of standing at the stove preparing slices one by one, make this celebration-worthy casserole instead. This decadent take on French toast is made complete with thinly-sliced pears and jewel-like raspberries glistening among the eggy slices of brioche or challah.

9 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Gruyère Popover Sandwiches with Fried Eggs and Creamed Spinach

med105767_1210_food186.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Bacon, egg, and cheese, but make it holiday. The classic sandwich gets an impressive upgrade with the addition of creamed spinach and Gruyère popovers.

10 of 14

11 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bacon Pancakes

med106330_1210_bacon_pancakes.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These bacon pancakes satisfy both the sweet and savory senses. The bacon cooks right into the pancakes (think blueberry pancakes, but bacon).

11 of 14

12 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vanilla Cake Donuts

vanilla cake donuts with vanilla glaze on pink background
Credit: Bryan Gardner
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Totally decadent, these cake donuts are the sweet ending every holiday brunch should have. The vanilla bean variation is finished with a vanilla glaze but you can make the same versatile cake donut batter into Apple Cider Donuts and roll them in cinnamon sugar.

12 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cheesy Spinach-Potato Egg Casserole

Cheesy Spinach-Potato Egg Casserole
Credit: Con Poulos
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Perhaps the ultimate in easy yet elevated, this fantastic one-dish meal is vegetarian and gluten-free, but also cheesy and comforting, making it perfect for a gathering with mixed dietary needs.

13 of 14

14 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brown Sugar-Glazed Bacon

A100717_OpenerNewAltSunday_.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's an easy way to dress up bacon for a holiday brunch. Coat it with ground pepper and light brown sugar, then bake, for a treat that's sweet, savory, and a little spicy.

14 of 14

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Lynn Andriani

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 14
    2 of 14 Gingerbread Waffles
    3 of 14 Easy Eggs Benedict
    4 of 14 Broiled Persimmons with Mascarpone
    5 of 14 Classic Dutch Baby
    6 of 14 Cinnamon Rolls
    7 of 14 Salmon Tartines with Horseradish-Whipped Cream Cheese
    8 of 14 Easy Florentine Egg Cups
    9 of 14 Pear-and-Raspberry Baked French Toast
    10 of 14 Gruyère Popover Sandwiches with Fried Eggs and Creamed Spinach
    11 of 14 Bacon Pancakes
    12 of 14 Vanilla Cake Donuts
    13 of 14 Cheesy Spinach-Potato Egg Casserole
    14 of 14 Brown Sugar-Glazed Bacon

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Hosting a Special Holiday Brunch? These Are the Recipes You Need
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.