A Christmas Brunch

This week I had a Christmas brunch for 20 friends. This is just a short post to show you what I served and how I set up for it. There is a link for each of the recipes if you decide you want to try any of them. Preparation is the key to feeding a large group. I do as much as I can to set up the day before. That means putting out the plates, silverware, napkins, drinking glasses, coffee cups, water pitcher, serving platters,...You get the picture. 

Here is what I served:

Since it was a casual brunch, I set up a couple of serving areas in my kitchen. The drinks were in one area, the desserts in another, and the food was served on the island.

I was able to make the casserole the day before, so all I had to do that morning was to make the fruit salad, assemble and cook the coffee cake, and heat the casserole. All the desserts were made ahead of time. The best part about planning ahead and taking the time to prepare as much as you can ahead of time, is that the morning is stress free and I was able to enjoy visiting with all my friends. i was part of the party rather than being the person working in the kitchen the whole time. For me, that's a successful party.

I'll keep you posted...

Lynn

Blueberry and Biscuit Coffee Cake

This is a super easy coffee cake that looks and tastes like you spent a lot of time making it. It's made with canned biscuits and frozen blueberries, but you would never guess that when you taste it. Here's what you'll need:

 

  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 (12-ounce) can buttermilk biscuits
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
  • 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Generously grease a 9-inch square baking dish. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well with a fork. Separate biscuit dough into 10 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into quarters, and dip each piece in melted butter and coat with brown sugar mixture. Arrange in a single layer in baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the oats.

Combine blueberries and sugar in a bowl and toss to coat. Spoon over oats and biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup oats. Drizzle remaining melted butter on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until cake is golden brown and center is done. Cool for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Sorry, but I forgot to take pictures while I was making it, so I promise I'll add some the next time I make this. I have doubled this recipe and it works, but you will need to cook it much longer. This one took almost an hour. Also, make sure when you are assembling that you keep the biscuits in a single layer. I hope you'll try this--it's really good!

Enjoy!

Lynn