Dec
17
2013

Eggnog Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel Crumble Topping

The Perfect Make-Ahead And Serve On Christmas Morning Muffin

Eggnog Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel Crumble Topping

Christmas morning breakfast has two very distinct stages in our house. The second stage is a much more civilized sit down meal with fresh fruit, my Grandma's version of the Old Fashioned Christmas Morning Wife Saver and Christmas Morning Mimosas in fancy glasses. The first stage however is more of a I can't believe the kids woke us up this early, please tell me I remembered to set-up the coffee pot before going to bed and thank goodness I made those Eggnog Muffins last night so I can toss them on the table when the kids start with the "I'm soooo hungry."
 
 
Now you can be a Christmas morning superstar too!
 
Simply toss your streusel ingredients into a small bowl.
 
 
Combine using your fingers or a pastry cutter.
 
 
Add your muffin dry ingredients into a large bowl.
 
 
Mix up your wet ingredients.
 
 
Add wet to dry.
 
 
Fill your muffin cups.
 
 
Top with streusel.
 
 
Bake and ta dah!!! Christmas Morning yummies.
 
 
Ingredients:
 
 
For the Streusel
 
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter, softened
 
For the Muffins
 
2 & 1/4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon 
2 eggs
1 cup eggnog
1/2 cup butter, softened and almost melted
1 & 1/2 tsp vanilla
 
Directions:
 
  In small bowl, add streusel ingredients and combine using fingers or pastry cutter. Set aside.
 
  In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Make a well in centre and set aside.
 
  In separate bowl, lightly beat eggs, then add eggnog, butter and vanilla and gently whisk together.
 
  Pour wet ingredients into centre of dry ingredient well.
 
  Stir gently until combined.
 
  Scoop evenly into muffin tins lined with baking cups and top with equal amounts of streusel. 
 
  Bake in pre-heated 375F oven for 20 to 22 minutes (until toothpick inserted into centre comes out clean).
 
  Allow to cool completely on wire rack then store in sealable container until Christmas morning! Serve with fresh fruit and coffee with Baileys.
 
 
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens December 2011 issue.
Dec
16
2013

Grandma's Christmas Morning Strata

My Grandma's Version Of The Old Fashioned Christmas Morning Wife Saver

Grandma's Christmas Morning Strata

holiday breakfast strata
Ever since I was little my Christmas morning breakfast has included what we've always called "Grandma's Christmas Morning Strata." I've later learned that it's my Grandmother's version of the Good Old Fashioned Christmas Morning Wife Saver. No matter what you call it this is perfect combination of bread, eggs, cheese, ham and crushed Special K (yes there is crushed cereal on top of this but trust me it's YUMMY!).
 
 
Now wait for it... the best part is you make it the NIGHT BEFORE so on Christmas morning when your kids have woken you up before the crack of dawn and there isn't enough coffee in the world to make you motivated enough to whip together breakfast, just throw this into the oven and you're a Christmas Morning Super Star — just like my Grandma.
 
Simply cut bread to fit.
 
 
Top with ham.
 
 
Top with cheese.
 
 
Top with more bread cut to fit.
 
 
Top with more ham.
 
 
Top with more cheese.
 
 
Finish off with one more layer of bread cut to fit (here's a helpful image just in case you've lost track!)
 
 
Mix everything else (except the butter and cereal)
 
 
Pour over strata.
 
 
In the morning, top with melted butter and crushed Special K.
 
 
Bake and enjoy!
 
 
 
Ingredients:
 
1 1/2 to 2 loaves basic white bread, crusts cut off (I use approx. 21 pieces of Wonder Bread for a 9 x 13 pan)
12 to 16 slices of ham (I use Black Forest)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
6 eggs
3 cups milk (I typically use 2%)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. dried mustard
1/4 cup onion, minced
1 to 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Dash of Tabasco
 
Topping
 
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups Special K cereal, crushed into fine crumbs
 
Directions:
 
  Butter 9 x 13 casserole dish.
 
  Cover bottom with slices of bread cut to fit. Top with layer of ham then cheese.
 
  Add second layer of bread cut to fit and top with remaining ham and cheese.
 
  Top with one final layer of bread (see image above if you've lost count).
 
  Beat together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, mustard, onion, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco. Pour over casserole.
 
  Cover and refrigerate overnight (note I have refrigerated this for as little as 4 hours and it was still awesome!)
 
  In the morning, poor melted butter on top and sprinkle with crushed Special K.
 
  Bake uncovered in pre-heated 350F oven for 1 hour (which gives you plenty of time to get the turkey prepped!)
 
  Let sit 10 minutes before serving.
 
Note: I ALWAYS use a "deep dish" casserole pan because the bread definitely puffs up and may drip a bit in your oven.
 
PS: Want to know what else I'm making for Christmas morning breakfast? Check out my Christmas Morning Mimosas, my Homemade Baileys Irish Cream (for coffee of course!) and my Eggnog Muffins.
 
 
Dec
16
2013

Get the Party Started with these Christmas Morning Mimosas

The Perfect Opening Presents Beverage

Get the Party Started with these Christmas Morning Mimosas

Holiday Mimosa

In our house, Christmas morning has always been accompanied by a bottle of Homemade Baileys Irish Cream for the coffee and a pitcher of Mimosas. While the typical Mimosa is one part orange juice and one part sparkling wine, this Christmas Morning Mimosa adds a little seasonal flavour to make the perfect present opening beverage. Just remember that someone needs to get the turkey in the oven, so sip and savour!

Ingredients:

1 Bottle Prosecco

1 Bottle Orange Juice (the good kind with no pulp)

1 Bottle Cranberry Pomegranate Cocktail (or just plain Cranberry Cocktail will do)

1 Pitcher (the one you put fancy drinks in)

Directions:

  • Fill 1/2 of your pitcher with Prosecco, then 1/4 with orange juice and 1/4 with cranberry cocktail.
  • Stir gently and serve in champagne flutes or other fancy glasses.

Note: This will make approximately 2 pitchers, but feel free to alter the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste buds.

PS: Want to know what else in on the table for our traditional Christmas Morning Breakfast? Try my Grandma's version of the Old Fashioned Christmas Morning Wife Saver and my Eggnog Muffins.

 

IMAGE SOURCE: ALEXPRO9500 VIA GETTY IMAGES

 

RELATED: What You Need To Know Before You Buy Champagne