Tuesday, January 12, 2016

The Perfect Breakfast

Each year I make Christmas Eve morning breakfast for my family with a form of cinnamon rolls, some type of egg and fruit.  Last year's biscuit cinnamon rolls didn't quite do the trick for me and I wanted something a little more authentic but without all the work of the yeast.  Enter no yeast cinnamon rolls - PERFECT! I tried out a new crockpot breakfast casserole for tailgates that we quickly became obsessed with and with the days leading up to Christmas it was the perfect touch.  Lastly, I wanted to try something I saw on Pinterest with my two favorite fruits - strawberries and bananas (and who doesn't want a marshmallow as part of their breakfast?!)

The casserole we've used a few times but I'm continuously trying to think of another special occasion for the cinnamon rolls - they are to die for.  I'm thinking maybe one of the spring holidays and definitely some tailgates next season.

No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls:
Makes about 12 rolls.  Can very easily be doubled, tripled, etc.  I'm telling you they tasted just as good as the real thing - maybe even better.  Plus I made mine the night before and held them in the fridge which worked perfectly.


Ingredients {for the dough}:
2 1/2 cups flour
+ 1/4 cup sugar
+ 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
+ 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
+ 1/2 teaspoon salt
+ 1 cup buttermilk
+ 5 tablespoons butter

Ingredients {for the filling}:
3/4 cup brown sugar
+ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
+ 1 tablespoon cinnamon
+ 1/2 teaspoon salt
+ 2 tablespoons melted butter

Ingredients {for the glaze}:
3 ounces cream cheese
+ 4 tablespoons buttermilk
+ 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
Using the filling ingredients, combine all in a bowl and set to the side.

+ Using the dough ingredients, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda in salt in another bowl.  Whisk melted butter and buttermilk together in a smaller bowl then pour into dry mixture. Stir together until dough comes together.  Kneed with your hands into a ball - you might need to add in extra flour pending the texture - use your judgement.  Break the mixture into two halves.

+ Flour the counter surface and roll one half out.  Sprinkle half of the filling mix evenly throughout the dough then roll it up from end to end.  Trim off the ends and cut into even slices before repeating with the other half.

+ Place rolls in a non-stick sprayed 8x8 baking dish and bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes (or until golden brown - keep an eye on them).

+ While the rolls are in the oven (again for me this was the next day) mix the cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth then whisk in the buttermilk one teaspoon at a time.  Drizzle generously over the cinnamon rolls - it's the best part!


Overnight Breakfast Casserole:
Typically I like making this with turkey sausage but for Christmas Eve I gave it a try with ham since we do a sausage casserole on Christmas day and it worked just find.  You could even try out bacon or pork roll pieces if you'd like.  Another plus is that when you wake up - the house is smelling delicious.  The only downside is since it's overnight, I usually try to stay up until about midnight the night before - see below for tips to keep it going.


Ingredients:
12-14 eggs (12 is simple since it's a full pack but if I have extra lying around then I tend to like to put one or two more in)
1 bag frozen hash browns (depending on the amount of people I don't always quite use the full bag)
16 ounces of breakfast meat - turkey sausage or ham or other
+ 16 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
+ 1 cup milk
+ salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Brown the sausage (or have your assistant do it for you - this is always Derek's job).

Pour the hash browns, sausage and cheese into the crockpot and mix together.

+ Whisk your eggs, salt, pepper and milk together in a mixing bowl and pour over the crockpot mixture.

+ Cook overnight for about 8 hours - if you need a little extra time set it to keep warm in the morning and you can get away with keeping it cooking for an extra hour or two.  The edges can tend to get a little bit brown (which can make it extra tasty) so as long as you're okay with that - keep it on going!


Santa Hat Strawberries:
This is the only one that would be Christmas only - the other items would be great for another holiday or tailgate or gathering.  These are super easy and add a festive touch to any Christmas season meal.


Ingredients:
+ Strawberries
+ Bananas
+ Mini Marshmallows
+ Toothpicks

Directions:
Cut the bananas into even slices.

+ Cut the end off the strawberry back and pierce it onto the toothpick then grab one of the banana slices onto the bottom.  Top with a marshmallow.



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38 comments:

  1. Yum, yum, gimme, gimme all the breakfast foods!

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  2. These all look so delicious! I have always wanted to make homemade cinnamon rolls. These sound like the perfect thing to try.

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  3. I haven't had cinnamon rolls in years - but now that's all I want for breakfast LOL! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  4. I would happily take one of those cinnamon rolls off of your hands right now! :)

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  5. These are all making my stomach growl so hard right now! Especially those cinnamon rolls!

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  6. I think I'm finally sold on getting a crock pot! That breakfast casserole looks so easy!!! Love the strawberry santas!! I will have to remember to do those next year!! =)

    Melanie | Blog: Toots + Dill

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  7. These are all so cute, and I especially love that the cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole can be made ahead! So easy!

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  8. Anything cinnamon is my absolute favorite and these rolls look to die for! Can't wait to try these out as a breakfast treat plus I know my son will love them too!

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  9. BAM! I just pinned your cinnamon rolls! Thanks so much for sharing your delicious recipes!

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  10. Yummmmmm homemade cinnamon rolls were always a treat in my house growing up on Christmas morning. I'll definitely have to try out your recipe <3

    Green Fashionista

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  11. I would love to make homemade cinnamon rolls but I am sure I would mess them up somehow! Ha!

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  12. those cinnamon rolls though. man they look good. and those strawberries - i think i could eat a million of them. how adorable!

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  13. Those look so good! I wish I could have some right now!

    Christina :: Simple and Delish

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  14. I've never tried to make homemade cinnamon rolls before but I really want to! Definitely going to give these a try soon! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  15. Anything without the yeast! That's amazing I'll have to try this this weekend, I bought some yeast to make some cinnamon rolls but if I don't need the yeast I'll take that1

    liz @ sundays with sophie

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  16. Definitely saving all of these breakfast ideas for next Christmas! These would all work perfectly for our Christmas morning brunch. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Those cinnamon rolls sound and look amazing! I've been wanting to make my own, but I feel like it would take me forever to make them. Was it a pain to prep everything?

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  18. Those cinnamon rolls look delicious! I will definitely have to try them. Thanks for sharing!

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  19. I've never heard of anything like that overnight crockpot recipe, and it sounds so good! I also love the strawberries!!

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  20. It's on my bucket list to learn how to make homemade cinnamon rolls!

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  21. pinning cinnamon rolls love to try new recipes will be making these soon have a great week

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  22. Well now I'm drooling all over my keyboard! :)

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  23. These all sound amazing! I'm really interested in that breakfast casserole crockpot dish because it would be so much nicer to have everything ready for Christmas morning breakfast the night before. The last couple of Christmases we have made eggs, grits, bacon, and homemade waffles and that's just too much work for Christmas morning. Haha. Definitely saving this for next year. Thank you for sharing!

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  24. Looks like your breakfast turned out great! I love cinnamon rolls :) I have a recipe I've used for a while but this one looks very yummy and I love that you can make them the night before! Thanks for sharing!
    Kelsey
    www.thepeacockroost.com

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  25. Those cinnamon rolls have me drooling!!! They look delicious!

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  26. I'm not a huge fan of cinnamon rolls, but hello breakfast casserole! That looks delicious, and I love that it's made in the slow cooker. Great recipes today!

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  27. I'm glad you posted the cinnamon roll recipe! I'm adding it to my list to try!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  28. the cinnamon rolls looks so good although I tend to shy away from sweet things for breakfast. The breakfast casserole I'll take any day though! Never thought to make it in the crockpot. That makes it nice and easy.

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  29. I am for sure trying out your cinnamon roll recipe! I love that they can be prepared the night before.

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  30. And I'm drooling! I need those cinnamon rolls in my life - they look amazing! I've still been too intimidated to try them homemade by myself, but I think I need to get over that :)

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  31. Those cinnamon rolls sound and look so delicious! They also sound super easy which is always wonderful when you're hosting. The crockpot breakfast casserole sounds like the perfect way to wake people up for Christmas morning!

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  32. Those cinnamon rolls look delicious! That recipe is completely different than my usual so I've got to give it a try :)

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  33. Everything looks so yummy! Cinnamon rolls are definitely one of my downfalls, they are just so good! And I love this breakfast casserole in the crockpot. Crockpots are so easy and can save so much time!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

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  34. oh wow so much good stuff in this post! thanks for sharing!

    lifeisashoe

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  35. OMG mouth watering!! Definitely trying these!! Especially the cinnamon rolls…. I've always wanted to make them homemade but always been too intimidated!

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  36. I am droolinggg over those homemade cinnamon rolls - yummm!!

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  37. Those cinnamon rolls look amazing! Yum! Someday I will attempt to make them!

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  38. No yeast cinnamon rolls that don't come from a can?! Sign me up because that's amazing!!!

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