Thanksgiving Brunch Ideas

Traditionally attention and efforts are dedicated to Thanksgiving dinner while little attention is given to brunch. I understand this because no one wants to be full for dinner.  In my family every meal is important during the holidays, from breakfast to the traditional dinner to the leftovers the next day.

I came across two great recipes courtesy of Nestle Raisinets that would be perfect for a Thanksgiving brunch. I should mention both recipes are on the sweeter side and would be perfect to have on their own with a great cup of strong coffee! You definitely don’t want to have a huge brunch before a huge dinner so these recipes will give you some great ideas on how to have a light yet celebratory start to your day.

Cranberry Baked Apples

I got really excited when I saw this recipe idea. Fall and Thanksgiving both remind of apple season and going apple picking with my family. Generally we made apple pie for dessert but this recipe is perfect to wake up to.

Ingredients:

6 baking apples

1 package (5.5 ounces) NESTLÉ Cranberry RAISINETS – Milk Chocolate-Covered Dried Cranberries

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or almonds

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups cranberry juice

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350° F.

WASH and core apples (1 to 1 ¼ inches in diameter); remove peel from around the top. Place apples in baking dish.

COMBINE Cranberry Raisinets, nuts and cinnamon in small bowl; fill center of each apple with mixture. Pour juice around apples; cover loosely with foil.

BAKE for 35 minutes; uncover. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until tender. Place apples on individual serving plates and drizzle each with 3 tablespoons juice from baking dish. Serve warm.

Estimated Times
Serving Size: 6
Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 45 mins

This could definitely be served for dessert but I think it would bring an exciting change to traditional brunch and breakfasts! Also, I don’t think it would be too filling.

Cranberry Raisinets Oatmeal Bars

My mom has always been a fan of oatmeal bars and usually not for dessert but in the morning. This little treat is festive and perfect for the holidays because of the cranberries and another light bite to start the day.

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/2 cups whole-wheat or all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats, divided

1 package (5.5 ounces) NESTLÉ Cranberry RAISINETS – Milk Chocolate-Covered Dried Cranberries

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

COMBINE flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl. Beat sugar, butter and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in 1 ½ cups oats. Spread into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with Cranberry Raisinets; press into dough. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup oats.

BAKE for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Estimated Times
Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 20 mins
Cooling: 30 mins
Yield Size: 24
Yield Description: bars

It may a bit out of the ordinary but it definiately will make your holiday brunch one to remember. It’s a great way to say “there’s more where that came from”.

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

@missbrittanydow