To me, there is nothing better than Christmas morning. The excitement on the kids’ faces, the ripping of carefully wrapped gifts, the shrieks of excitement—it’s one of the best days of being a parent. My husband and I are watching them as we sip the strongest coffee possible, since we were just awake hours before, frantically finishing the KidKraft kitchen and Hot Wheels track.

If you’re like my family, most great memories are accompanied by a delicious meal. And what’s better than a big breakfast on Christmas morning?!

My mom made these cinnamon rolls on Christmas mornings, so I’d love to share them with you. The best thing is that you make them the night before and just throw them in the oven on Christmas Day. That way you can enjoy the morning relaxing as you drink that fifth cup of coffee!

Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 stick butter or margarine
• ½ or 1 cup pecans (depending on preference)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 package cook-and-serve vanilla pudding
• 24 yeast rolls (I like Sister Shubert or Rhodes brand)

Instructions:

Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray. Place yeast rolls side by side (touching) in pan.

In a separate bowl, melt butter and mix in brown sugar. Add remaining ingredients and stir until smooth. (DO NOT add vanilla pudding!)

Pour mixture over rolls evenly. Next, pour the package of vanilla pudding over the rolls

Spray one side of plastic wrap with cooking spray, and cover the dish with cooking spray on the side facing the rolls. (I always get my hubby to help me with this part!)

Leave rolls out on counter overnight to rise. (You’ll be shocked when you see them in the morning!)

In the morning, remove the plastic wrap and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

This is a perfect recipe to have your kids help with because it’s easy ingredients with lots of opportunity to stir, pour, and sprinkle.

If you have a big crew or want something more savory, here’s another easy Christmas morning breakfast dish:

Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole

 Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground sausage (I use Jimmy Dean spicy)
• 4 slices of bread
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 9 large eggs, beaten
• 3 cups milk
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard (I use bold and spicy)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Brown and drain sausage.

Toast bread and tear into pieces.

In 9×13 pan, combine sausage, bread and cheese; mix until evenly distributed

In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, mustard and salt, mixing well, and pour over sausage mixture in the pan.

Cover with foil and place in fridge overnight.

In the morning, uncover casserole and bake for 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees.

Like any Texan, I like to eat mine with hot sauce!

These two easy Christmas morning breakfast meals will please any crowd. You’ll definitely want to keep your stretchy pants on, but remember, CALORIES DON’T COUNT during Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MAMAS! I hope yours is filled with laughter and joy and yummy meals.