Have you ever been scrolling through your social media feed on a Saturday morning and seen post after post of fancy brunch pics? Visions of fresh pancakes and fruit compote start dancing in your head — but with your crazy Saturday schedule and to-do list a mile long, a brunch like that seems impossible, right? Not so fast! Who said moms can’t have their own DIY brunch? And why not make it a new holiday tradition? Here's a simple brunch menu most kids in the family will love, including tips on portioning for larger crowds. You’ll feel like you’re at a fancy brunch without leaving the comfort of your own home!

Sweet & Savory Entrees

• Pumped Up Pancakes: Simply add pureed pumpkin to your usual pancake batter and bump it up with cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. You might not need as much water or milk since the puree adds liquid. Try using cookie cutters to make pancakes in festive shapes like trees, bells, animals and stars. Place heat-resistant silicone cookie cutters directly into the pan and pour in batter. Add blueberries or chocolate chips before the final flip, or add them at the end and make animal heads or smiley faces.
• A Tale of Two Countries: Dip French toast sticks in a Greek yogurt mixture made from plain nonfat Greek yogurt, peanut or sun butter and a little honey. Up your French toast game by using challah bread. The result is a creamy French toast with a protein boost.
• Cheesy Veggie Frittata: The perfect opportunity to use up veggies in the fridge! Mix together a variety of your favorite chopped veggies in a bowl with eggs. Add freshly chopped herbs and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook on the stovetop in a heavy bottomed skillet until eggs start to set around the edges, then transfer to the oven until eggs are set in the middle. Slice and serve pizza-style. Check out our tasty quiche recipes.
• Yogurt Parfait: Layer plain nonfat Greek yogurt with pureed pumpkin, a few tablespoons of granola, some dried cranberries and a drizzle of honey.

Tasty & Filling

• Fiesta Breakfast Tacos: Top small corn tortillas with black beans seasoned with cumin, chili powder, pepper and a pinch of salt. Top with a cooked egg and a tablespoon of fresh salsa. Cooking for a crowd? Make a batch of scrambled eggs instead to save time.
• Little Lox: Spread low-fat cream cheese over toasted whole-wheat mini bagels and top with smoked salmon Create a toppings bar including diced bell pepper, freshly chopped dill, diced red onion and capers.
• Hearty for the Holidays: You can’t go wrong with sausage – especially when it’s homemade with lean ground chicken or turkey. It’s not only a great addition to red sauce pasta dishes, but also versatile enough for a brunch casserole! Mix with veggies like spinach, broccoli, onion or tomato. Add whisked eggs, mix and top with shredded Parmesan cheese before baking. Or you can form it into patties for a leaner version of a brunch staple. See our ultimate casserole guide.

Sweet Petite Sides

• Naughty & Nice Biscotti: Make biscotti for the adults – perfect for dunking in hot coffee. Try adding festive ingredients like dried cranberries and nutmeg. If you are feeling extra fancy and naughty, you can dip half of the biscotti in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
• Scones & Muffins: Give them a flavor jolt with lemon or orange zest! Add seasonal ingredients like cranberries, pumpkin or cubed apples for a wintery treat. Be sure to add extra spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, clove or allspice for that warm and cozy feeling. Add a healthy twist to boxed scone mix by adding a bag of frozen mixed berries.
• Oven-Fresh Coffee Cake: Mmm, that cinnamon-y, crunchy-on-top delight! Replace some of the butter and oil with nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt and make a third of the recipe with whole-wheat flour. You can also add chopped apples or applesauce to cut the fat further. Look online for baking substitutions so your cake doesn't turn out mushy, but instead sweet and filling. Bake and cut into slices to serve with freshly brewed coffee. Check out these helpful holiday eating tips.
• Rice Pudding: Make with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Even add a few dried cranberries for a pop of color. You can cut back on the sugar by adding sweet fruit bits like golden raisins, sliced dried apricots or chopped dates. 

Fresh & Festive Healthy Sides

• Fruity Harvest Salad: Instead of the traditional berry and cantaloupe fruit salad, go for a seasonal salad by mixing apples and pears with grapes and pomegranate seeds. You can get the kids involved by letting them cut up the fruit with plastic knives with parent supervision.
• Taste the Rainbow Pancakes: Make colorful pancakes by mixing jam with Greek yogurt and honey for a brightly colored pancake and waffle topper that’s healthier than syrup and whipped cream. Go purple with grape or black raspberry, red with strawberry or raspberry, or orange with peach or apricot.

Would you look at that! Your dream of a Sunday brunch is on the way to becoming a reality with the help of this healthy holiday recipe guide. It might just become a weekly or monthly tradition that brings the whole family together before a crazy weekend day!