A Family Christmas Brunch

Christmas is at its best when kids are part of the festivities, so start a tradition this year of celebrating the holiday with a family-friendly brunch. Waffles are always a crowd-pleasing treat, and these multigrain waffles made with ricotta are no exception. Top them with sliced strawberries, or, if those aren’t available, serve them with some sliced apples or pears that have been briefly sautéed with a few tablespoons of butter. If you prefer savory to sweet breakfasts, or are feeding a large family, add some bacon and egg breakfast cups to the menu. Cooked in a standard muffin tin, they are a whimsical way to serve these classic breakfast ingredients. Flavorful apple and sausage patties are a great alternative to ready-made sausages. Kids can help by grating the apple, stirring the sausage ingredients together, and shaping the mixture into patties the night before, then you can quickly fry them up in the morning.