Brunch For A Crowd

Brunch meals consist of breakfast and lunches recipes (hence the word "brunch"!) and are usually served mid day between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

When you are serving brunch for a crowd of guests, you want to look for simple recipes, like casseroles, because many can be made well in advance and frozen.

My husband and I were visiting friends last summer and I made two of my favorite Hashbrown Egg Casseroles to bring along.

I did not want to spend time making them while I was there so I made them at home several days ahead, froze them and transported them in a cooler. When we got there, I put them in the refrigerator so they would thaw out, and then on the day we served them, I gently warmed them in a 250 degree oven for 45 minutes. They came out perfectly and the crowd loved them.

These are the kinds of recipes you want to look for if you are serving brunch for a crowd. Not all dishes freeze well so if you are not sure, just look for recipes that can be made a day or two in advance, like the Easy Baked French Toast recipes below.

Quick breads, like this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, work well too.

Easy Brunch Recipe - Overnight Apple French Toast

If you have ever hosted a brunch, you know that it is very difficult to get all the dishes prepared, cooked and all on the table at the same time. This recipe for Overnight Apple French Toast will lighten the load a bit. Just pop it in the oven on the day of the brunch and you will be ready to serve your crowd.

• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 2 large tart apples, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick



• 4 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 2-1/2 cups milk or half and half
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 9 slices, bread of your choice
• Whipped cream and chopped nuts (optional)

• 10 oz. jar apple jelly
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp cloves

Cook brown sugar, butter and corn syrup until thick, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour into baking pan. Arrange apples on top.

In a bowl, mix egges, milk and vanilla. Dip bread slices into mixture for 1 minute allowing bread to soak up mixture. Place over apples. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Combine homemade syrup ingredients in saucepan, heat and serve over French toast. Top with whipped cream and nuts if desired. Makes 6-8 servings of Overnight Apple French Toast.

Baked French Toast Recipe - Caramel Soaked French Toast

Another great option for a 9x13 brunch dish is this recipe for Caramel Soaked French Toast. The name alone should be enough for you to want to try it! Another make the night before French toast recipe. Love those.

• 1-1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 3/2 c. margarine or butter
• 1/4 c. plus 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 10 (1-3/4 inch slices) French bread
• Seasonal berries (optional)



• 4 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 2-1/2 cups milk or half and half
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt



• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1-12 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup margarine or butter, melted

Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until bubbly. Pour syrup mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Arrange bread slices over syrup.

Combine eggs and next 3 ingredients. Stir well and pour over bread. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.

Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over soaked bread. Drizzle 1/4 cup margarine or butter over bread. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve with additional syrup and berries if desired. This easy brunch recipe for Caramel Soaked French Toast serves a crowd of 6-8 people. Double or triple the batch depending on how many hungry eaters you have.

More Best Brunch Recipes

Click here for more Easy Recipes that work great if you are serving brunch for a crowd of guests.