Super Simple Brunch Ideas

This is actually the menu I served for a family brunch we had one Christmas morning. I needed something E.A.S.Y. since it was such a busy time (And did I mention this was my son's first Christmas?), but I also wanted something that was nice since it was Christmas. So, I made this menu and broke out the china. I think it turned out beautifully if I do say so myself.

All of these recipes are ones that can be made ahead of time which makes it nice the morning of the brunch because you won’t be rushing around trying to get everything prepared and cooked. (I even set the table the night before.) I promise they are just as tasty as they are simple.

Almond Bread

(I got this recipe from Claudine—see Haunted Texas. She made this for us before our San Antonio Trip.)

Do the prep work (as simple as it is) on this gooey bread the night before you want to eat it. Then in the morning pop it in the oven.

24-28ish frozen Rhoades dinner rolls
1 stick butter or margarine
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp. Almond extract
1 small box dry vanilla pudding
¼-1/2 cup sliced almonds

Liberally (And I do mean liberally) coat a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place the frozen dinner rolls around the pan. Melt the butter and brown sugar in the microwave. Add Almond extract. Pour mixture over rolls in pan. Sprinkle dry vanilla pudding over rolls. Sprinkle sliced almonds over rolls. Spray a piece of plastic wrap with non-stick cooking spray and place treated side down and cover pan. Let rolls rise over night. In the morning, remove plastic wrap and bake at 350 for approx. 30 minutes. Let cool for ten minutes and turn out onto platter.

Sausage Balls

My dad has been making these for years, and they are a family favorite. I’ve seen a lot of variations out there, but these are the easiest to made and, trust me, they are just as good if not better. These little treats only have three ingredients and are simple to make. Make two or three batches and freeze them. Then you can pop them into the microwave to defrost and reheat as needed.

1 lb sausage
2 1/4 cups Bisquick
12 oz. shredded cheese (I like cheddar and pepper jack the best.)

Preheat oven to 375. Put all of the ingredients in a bowl and combine using your hands. Roll into balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Doesn’t get much easier than that!

Fruit Salad

Ok, so I know fruit salad isn’t the hardest thing to make anyway,but this truly is the EASIEST fruit salad ever. It’d be something you could really just throw together at a moments notice. It’s the canned fruit cocktail that is the base. You can basically add whatever other fruits you like. Here’s how my mom always does it.

2 cans fruit cocktail, drained
3 bananas, sliced (If you aren’t serving this right away, dip the slices in lemon or lime juice to keep them from turning so fast.)
1 apple, chopped
3/4 cup miniature marshmallows

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, chill, and serve. Walla! Fruit Salad!

Try them and let me know what you think. :)