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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