Planning holiday meals can be a juggling act, especially when balancing festive traditions with the demands of family life. This year, start the celebrations stress-free with a holiday brunch that’s both impressive and manageable!

We know you don’t want to spend the entire day in the kitchen—prepping brunch, then pivoting straight into dinner. That’s why we’ve pulled together these delicious, sweet, and savoury recipes. They’re guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters and can be prepped in advance, giving you more time to enjoy yourself with your loved ones.

We've covered your holiday brunch from a crowd-pleasing Half-and-Half Sheet Pancake to savoury Bacon-Wrapped Chicken and Waffles and even a hearty Ham, Broccoli, and Cheddar Casserole. So, grab your apron (and maybe a mimosa), and let’s get cooking!

Half-and-Half Sheet Pancakes

No need for brunch battles over flavours! This versatile recipe is half chocolate strawberry and half pineapple-brown sugar, offering something for everyone. Plus, the topping possibilities are endless—get creative and customize to suit your family’s favourites. Perfectly simple and oh-so-fun, this pancake bake is a surefire crowd-pleaser. View the original recipe in this month’s Table Magazine. 

Ingredients

Pancakes

• 2 Eggs
• ⅓ cup Butter melted
• 2 cups Milk
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2¼ cup All Purpose Flour
• ¼ cup Sugar
• ½ tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp Baking Powder
• ⅔ cup Strawberries, quartered
• 2 tbsp Co-op Gold Chocolate Chips
• ⅔ cup Pineapple, cut into half-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp Brown Sugar

Toppings

• 1 cup Whipping Cream
• 2 tbsp Icing Sugar
• 1 Lemon, zest only
• Co-op Gold Maple Syrup to serve

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk together the eggs, butter, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Then, add the dry ingredients—flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder—and whisk until smooth and free of lumps.

Line a 9x13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the pancake batter evenly over it. On one half, sprinkle strawberries and chocolate chips; on the other, arrange pineapple pieces and top with brown sugar.

Bake for 22 to 24 minutes or until the pancake is golden brown, fluffy, and fully cooked. While it bakes, whisk the cream, icing sugar, and lemon zest (using a whisk or electric mixer) until stiff peaks form; cover and chill.

Once baked, cut the pancake into squares and serve with whipped cream and maple syrup.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken and Waffles

Take your brunch game to the next level with this savoury twist on a classic. To save time, make the waffles ahead of time and reheat them straight from the freezer for a seamless morning prep. Find the original recipe in this month's Table Magazine. 

Ingredients

Chicken

• 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• ½ cup Co-op Gold Cream Cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup Cheddar Cheese, finely grated
• 2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 2 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tbsp Chives, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 Bacon Slices

Waffles

• 4 cups Co-op Gold All Purpose Flour
• 2 tbsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 4 Eggs separated
• 2½ cups Whole Milk
• ¼ cup Co-op Centsible Butter melted
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated
• 1 cup Chives, finely chopped
• Maple syrup, warmed

Directions

Preheat oven or air fryer to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Using a small knife, cut a slit lengthwise in the thickest part of each chicken breast to create a deep pocket. Mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, and chives until smooth in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the filling to a pastry or plastic bag, snip the tip, and stuff each breast. Season with salt and pepper. Wrap each breast with 2 slices of bacon, covering the filling hole.

Place chicken on a sheet pan or in an air fryer and roast for 25–35 minutes. While roasting, prepare the waffles.

Combine flour, baking powder, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Whisk egg yolks with milk in another bowl, then add to the dry ingredients along with melted butter, cheese, and half the chives. Stir to combine. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks and fold gently into the batter. Cook waffles on a greased waffle iron.

Broil chicken for 3–5 minutes until bacon is crispy. Use a thermometer to ensure the meat's internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Serve each breast on top of 2 waffles, drizzled with warm maple syrup and garnished with reserved chives.

Ham, Broccoli, Cheddar Casserole

Looking for a dish that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress? This hearty casserole is packed with smoky ham, cheesy goodness, and hidden veggies—perfect for picky eaters. Even better, it can be fully prepped the day before and reheated in the morning, making it a stress-free addition to your brunch spread. Find the original recipe here.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Hash Browns, diced
• 1 cup Cubed Old-Fashioned Smoked Ham, cubed
• ½ cup Broccoli Florets
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated
• 2 tsp Fresh Dill, chopped
• 2 tsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
• 2 Egg Yolks
• 5 Eggs, large
• ½ cup Milk
• ¼ tsp Black Pepper, ground
• ¼ tsp Salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place hash browns on a non-stick or parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Lightly oil a 9 by 9-inch casserole dish. Combine ham, hash browns, broccoli and cheddar in the dish.

Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and whisk well. Pour the egg mixture over the ingredients in the casserole dish.

Bake for 20 minutes until cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

With these delicious recipes, your brunch is sure to start the holiday off on a merry note! Whether you go with a sweet Sheet Pancake moment, savoury with Chicken and Waffles or a hearty Ham and Cheese Casserole, you’ve got something for everyone—picky eaters included. You can find all the ingredients for these dishes (and maybe even some treats to keep the kids occupied) at your local Otter Co-op Food store!

Looking for the perfect drinks to complement your spread? For a seasonal touch, try a festive Mistletoe Mimosa or a refreshing Apple Cranberry Zero Proof Spritz.

Now, pour yourself a coffee or a mimosa, and enjoy the holiday moments with your family. Cheers to a stress-free and delicious celebration!