18 Make-Ahead Brunch Recipes for Holiday Guests

With smoky bacon, nutty Gruyère, and shallots, this classic quiche Lorraine is ideal for brunch, dinner, or anytime in between.

A classic breakfast cake is one of the handiest things to have in your baking repertoire, and this sour cream coffee cake from the famous Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, MI is one of the very best.

With a tender crumb and deliciously crisp crust, this is my go-to banana bread recipe. It’s phenomenal right out of the oven, and delicious all over again when you toast it for breakfast the next day.

This is one of my favorite fruit salads, and it’s such a nice change of pace from the standard mix of pre-cut fruit from the supermarket. It pairs well with savory quiche and casserole dishes.

Stratas are ideal for entertaining since you can do all of the prep the night before. The next morning, all that’s left to do is pop it in the oven.

A lovely mash-up of French toast and apple pie, this prep-ahead breakfast casserole has all the makings of a special holiday brunch dish – the kind that becomes a much-loved family tradition.

Who says you can’t have cookies for breakfast? These are a world apart from the brick-like biscotti sold in most coffee shops. When you dunk them in coffee, they soften, becoming rich, chocolaty and decadent.

Sweet, tart and gooey, these bars are a happy marriage of blondies and raspberry jam — and they’re just as good with your morning coffee as they are for dessert.

Bread pudding is usually sweet, but it can be made savory too. This version, brimming with sweet pork sausage and sharp cheddar, is deeply flavored with a crisp, golden crust and tender, creamy interior.

If you’re ever in need of a festive and elegant dish to make for a gathering (and aren’t we all right about now?), this smoked salmon dip will save the day. You can serve it with crackers and cocktails or set it out on a brunch buffet with bagels — either way, it’s a hit.

Homemade applesauce is richly flavored, tart and sweet — almost like apple pie filling — and a world apart from store-bought. Serve it warm out of the oven for instant comfort.

With crispy clusters of old-fashioned oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, toasted coconut, honey and wheat germ, this homemade granola is both delicious and nutritious.

Rich and tender from the addition of sour cream, and jam-packed with chocolate chips, this is the kind of old-fashioned, homey cake that appeals to just about everyone.

Part booze, part French toast, part bread pudding…how could you go wrong? This is the ideal holiday brunch dish because you assemble it the night before, let it sit in the fridge overnight, then just slide it into the oven when everyone wakes up.

Sweet, orange-scented, and chock-full of cranberries and walnuts, this quick bread is tailor-made for the holidays.

There is no really other way to put it: this quiche is insanely delicious. Doing away with the crust cuts down on prep time, cook time, and carbs — and everyone knows the cheesy custard is the best part anyway.

These tender cornbread muffins are the perfect treat to have on your brunch table.

Almost like giant cookies, these butterscotch pecan scones are tender, sweet, and rich. Perfect for houseguests or gifting to neighbors and teachers over the holidays!