Christmas Morning

What is better than waking up Christmas morning to the smell of bacon frying, coffee boiling and  the sight of pancakes with maple syrup waiting for you at the breakfast table. Christmas breakfast is a big event for many families and is a chance to get creative with breakfast dishes and plating ideas. Here are some simply scrumptious ideas for your next holiday morning. 

Old Fashioned Pancakes 

Ingredients: 

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

3 ½ tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 TBSP. sugar

1 ¼ cups milk

1 egg

3 TBSP. butter, melted

Directions

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Cranberry Scones


2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
5 tablespoons sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for topping
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup (plus 1 tablespoon) half-and-half
1/2 cup halved cranberries, drained on paper towels

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together flour, 5 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 2/3 cup half-and-half until just moistened. Gently fold in cranberries.
On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently, 5 to 10 times. Pat into a 1-inch-thick round. Cut into 8 wedges; place on a baking sheet, 2 inches apart. Brush tops with remaining tablespoon half-and-half; sprinkle with remaining tablespoon sugar. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

Egg Nog French Toast

Ingredients

• 8 eggs
• 2 cups eggnog
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or rum extract
• 20 to 26 slices English muffin bread
• Confectioners' sugar, optional
• Maple syrup

Directions

 
In a bowl, beat eggs, eggnog, sugar and extract; soak bread for 2 minutes per side. Cook on a greased hot griddle until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired. Serve with syrup. Yield: 8-10 servings