• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bake Play Smile
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About Me
    • Meet Lucy
    • Work With Me
  • Contact me
  • Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Savoury Breads & Muffins
  • Salads & Sides
  • Soups
  • Bars Brownies & Slices
  • Cakes & Cupcakes
  • Christmas
  • Cookies
  • Desserts
  • Easter
  • Drinks
  • Healthy Treats
  • Sweet Breads & Muffins
  • Thermomix Recipes
  • Thermomix Cookies
  • Thermomix Bars Brownies & Slices
  • Thermomix Cakes & Cupcakes
  • Thermomix Chistmas Recipes
  • Healthy Thermomix Recipes
  • Thermomix Desserts
  • Thermomix Breads & Muffins
  • Thermomix Easter Recipes
  • Thermomix Lunch Box Recipes
  • Thermomix Main Meals
  • Thermomix Sides & Salads
  • Thermomix Soups
  • Recipes for Toddlers & Kids
  • Family Dinners
  • Healthy Snacks
  • Kids Parties
  • Freebies
  • Lunch Box Ideas
  • Sweet Treats
  • Extras
  • Baking 101 - Tips & Tricks
  • Blogger Resources
  • Recipe Videos
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Thermomix Recipes
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Christmas » A Deliciously Simple Christmas Brunch... with Champas + WIN a Circa Home Christmas Hamper!

    A Deliciously Simple Christmas Brunch... with Champas + WIN a Circa Home Christmas Hamper!

    Published: Nov 17, 2015 · Modified: Oct 22, 2019 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 27 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This post is brought to you by Nuffnang and Circa Home.

    A close up of a wooden reindeer in front of white and gold Christmas decorations

    Like most people, Dave and I spend Christmas Day going from one family event to another (it's totally the way when you get married and suddenly have two families!!). To take things to the extreme, this year we're having brunch with my family in Victoria and then flying to Brisbane that night for a week of Christmas/holiday fun with our beautiful nephews. And so, with our crazy travel plans in mind, I've already started planning our Christmas brunch... because my entire life seems to revolve around thinking about food - especially yummy Christmas food!

    Snickerdoodle cookies on jars with white and silver Christmas decorations in the background

    This year I've teamed up with Circa Home to create a fast, fresh and fabulous brunch menu inspired by their Christmas fragrances. Dream job?? Umm... YEP!!! I know that lots of you are already familiar with the Circa Home brand. But if you're not, here's the low-down. They're a kick-ass Aussie company who make delicious smelling soy wax candles and melts, diffusers and hand wash. Anyone who knows me, also knows that whenever I'm at home, I always have a candle burning... ALWAYS! And I can tell you that these ones are ah-maaaa-zing!

    A hessian napkin rolled up and tied with a Christmas label, placed on a white plate

    So anyway, I was given the task of using the yummo-licious scents of Red Spiced Pear, Elderflower and Amber, and Vanilla Bean Allspice to plan my Chrissy brunch. I could totally do that, right? Well the problem wasn't so much thinking of recipes, it was trying to cut down my mega long list. Yes, the term 'indecisiveness' sums me up perfectly. But after many, many, hours of serious foodie thinking, I finally settled on the following Christmas brunch menu (and just quietly... I was pretty chuffed with myself!):

    dessert

    See! Totally chuffed! I really am a little bit head over heels in love with this menu. It's yummy, fresh and simple. And best of all, it's full of flavour, but still light enough to fit in Christmas dinner with the in-laws AND a few slices of cheesecake. Because cheesecake on Christmas Day is a must... at least in my world it is!

    Christmas food and drink treats placed among wooden and fabric Christmas decorations and tea light candles

    I love the idea of having elderflower cocktails waiting for everyone when they arrive. It's the perfect way to set the scene - and really, who on earth doesn't love a little sip of champas on Chrissy morning? The fresh raspberries and mint go perfectly with the St Germain (elderflower liqueur) and champagne. Fancy looking? Yes. Simple? Absolutely! Now is that the way to kick off a fab Christmas brunch or what!!?

    A long stemmed champagne glass filled with sparkling wine and liqueur, and topped with strawberries and mint

    A long stemmed champagne glass filled with sparkling wine, liqueur, raspberries and mint leaves

    Elderflower Champagne Cocktail - Inspired by Circa Home's Elderflower & Amber Fragrance

    This elderflower champagne cocktail is the perfect way to welcome your guests!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Brunch, Christmas, Drinks
    Cuisine: Christmas, Party Food
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories:
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 24 drops bitters
    • 1 bottle champagne or dry sparkling wine chilled
    • ½ cup St. Germain - if you can't find any St Germain elderflower liqueur, you can use Elderflower cordial instead
    • 12 fresh raspberries
    • 6 fresh mint leaves

    Instructions

    • Place two drops of bitters into each glass.
    • Divide the raspberries and mint leaves between the glasses.
    • Pour the St. Germain equally between the glasses.
    • Top with champagne.
    • Serve immediately.
    • Note: for a non-alcoholic version, omit the champagne and St Germain and replace with Elderflower cordial (available from supermarkets) and soda water.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

    A close up of a champagne glass filled with sparkling wine, with chopped strawberries and mint on top

    And now to kick off the foodie side of things! My pear, prosciutto and goats cheese tart is inspired by Circa Home's Red Spiced Pear fragrance. It has a layer of caramelised onions on the puff pastry base and a sprinkle of walnuts and parmesan cheese to finish. Seriously, it's so incredibly full of flavour... and yet it will be ready in less than 20 minutes. That's my kinda food!

    Two flat oblong pastry tarts topped with prosciutto, pear slices and goats cheese, served on a wooden board

    Cut pieces of a pastry tart baked with goats cheese, prosciutto and slices of pear, on a wooden board

    Flat oblong pastry tarts topped with pear, prosciutto and goats cheese and served on a wooden board

    Pear, Prosciutto and Goats Cheese Tart - Inspired by Circa Home's Red Spiced Pear fragrance

    A pear, prosciutto and goats cheese tart with caramelised onions and walnuts that is absolutely bursting with flavour!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Brunch, Christmas, Light Meals, Snacks
    Cuisine: Christmas, Party Food, Snacks
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories:
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed
    • ½ cup caramelised onions store-bought in a jar
    • 4 pears thinly sliced
    • 1 cup goats cheese
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 50 g prosciutto thinly sliced
    • ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
    • 30 g parmesan cheese finely grated
    • lemon wedges to serve

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 190 degrees celsius (slightly lower if using fan-forced).
    • Trim the sides of the puff pastry sheets so that they resemble long rectangles.
    • Use a knife to carefully score a line approximately 2cm from each of the outside edges (but don't cut all the way through).
    • Prick the pastry sheets with a fork and place into a preheated oven for 15 minutes.
    • Thinly slice the pears.
    • Remove the puff pastry sheets from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
    • Spread the caramelised onion over the middle of each pastry sheet (up to the scored lines).
    • Place the pear slices onto the caramelised onion (allowing them to overlap slightly).
    • Cook in the oven for a further 5-10 minutes or until the pear is just starting to soften.
    • Remove from the oven and crumble over the goats cheese.
    • Season with salt and pepper (optional).
    • Sprinkle over small pieces of prosciutto (simply tear the slices by hand).
    • Finely grate the parmesan cheese over the top and sprinkle over the walnuts.
    • Serve with lemon wedges.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

    A close up of a flat pastry tart with prosciutto and goats cheese served on a board with wedges of lemon

    For something a little sweet, my vanilla bean yoghurt parfaits with fresh berries and allspice make a perfectly light start to the day (and yes, I definitely have cheesecake in mind when I say that). You can make the granola well ahead of time (up to 4 weeks!!), and then on the day, everything can be whipped together in less than 5 minutes. Easy peasy... and again, looking fancy doesn't need to mean time consuming! (PS. you can totally cheat and use store-bought granola if you prefer - I pinky promise I won't tell).

    A stemless wine glass with a bottom layer of yoghurt, then chopped strawberries and blueberries and an oat granola

    An overhead shot of a glass filled with yoghurt, granola, mixed berries and crushed pistachios

    A stemless wine glass filled with layers of yoghurt, oats, berries, nuts and spices

    Mini Vanilla Bean Yoghurt Parfaits with Fresh Berries and Allspice Infused Granola - Inspired by Circa Home's Vanilla Bean & Allspice fragrance

    A perfectly light and delicious start to the day!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Christmas, Dessert
    Cuisine: Christmas, dessert
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories:
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • For the granola:
    • 4 cups (360g) rolled oats
    • ⅓ cup (70g) melted coconut oil
    • ¼ cup (85g) honey
    • ⅓ cup (65g) packed brown sugar
    • 1 tsp allspice
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 1 tbs vanilla extract
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • 1 X 600g container of good-quality thick vanilla bean yoghurt
    • 250 g fresh strawberries chopped
    • 125 g fresh blueberries
    • 125 g fresh raspberries
    • 50 g pistachios crushed
    • honey to drizzle

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 150 degrees celsius.
    • Grease and line a 30X20cm slice tray with baking paper.
    • Place the rolled oats into a bowl and set aside.
    • Place the coconut oil and honey into a microwavable safe bowl.
    • Heat for 30 seconds.
    • Add the brown sugar and stir to combine.
    • Heat for a further 30 seconds.
    • Add the cinnamon, allspice, salt and vanilla and stir.
    • Pour the liquid over the rolled oats and stir to combine.
    • Place the granola mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
    • During the cooking time, remove the mixture every 10 minutes and stir well.
    • With 5 minutes cooking time remaining, add the dried cranberries and stir to combine.
    • Remove the granola from the oven and set aside to cool completely. As it sets, it will harden up.
    • Break the granola into clusters.
    • The granola can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
    • To assemble the parfaits, place a 100g of vanilla bean yoghurt into the bottom of each serving glass and top ½ cup of granola. Sprinkle over chopped fresh berries and crushed pistachios. Drizzle with a little honey.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

    A close up of a glass with a layer of yoghurt in the base, then granola, mixed berries and topped with crushed pistachios

    Finally, (and can I just say that this is my FAVE recipe) are the cutest little snickerdoodle cookies with mini vanilla milkshakes. I absolutely adore snickerdoodles and the flavour combination of spice and vanilla is just too good. I served mine over the top of Circa Home jars and I just love how sweet they look.

    A close up of spiced cookies placed on the top of white glass jars and a straw through the middle of them

    Spiced cookies on the top of white glass jars, with a straw through the middle of the biscuit, and Christmas decorations in the background

    Cookies baked with vanilla and spices, placed on the top of white glass jars, with Christmas decorations in the background

    Snickerdoodle Cookies - Inspired by Circa Home's Vanilla Bean & Allspice fragrance

    These snickerdoodle cookies have the perfect combination of vanilla and spice!
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Biscuits, Cookies
    Cuisine: Baking, Biscuits/Cookies
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 36
    Calories:
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 115 g butter room temperature
    • 180 g caster sugar
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 egg
    • 165 g plain flour
    • 1 tsp cream of tartar
    • ½ tsp bi-carb soda
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 2 tbs ground cinnamon
    • Extra 30g caster sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius.
    • Line two baking trays with baking paper and set aside.
    • Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla extract with beaters or a stand mixer until pale, light and fluffy.
    • With the beaters still on, add the egg and continue to beat until completely combined.
    • Sift the plain flour, cream of tartar, bi-carb soda and salt into the bowl.
    • Beat until well combined.
    • At this stage the mixture will be quite sticky - place it into a bowl and then into the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes.
    • Mix the extra sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
    • Place the cinnamon sugar into a bowl.
    • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius.
    • Line two baking trays with baking paper.
    • Remove the cookie dough from the fridge.
    • Roll the dough into teaspoon-sized balls and then coat in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
    • Allow a 5cm gap between each snickerdoodle on the baking trays as they will spread.
    • Bake in the oven for 8-10mins or until the cookies appear slightly puffed, lightly golden and set in the middle.
    • Leave the snickerdoodles to cool on baking tray for 10 mins before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

    A close up of a Snickerdoodle cookie with a straw through the middle placed on top of a white glass jar

    A close up of a half eaten Snickerdoodle cookie on the top of a white glass with a drinking straw

    Mini Vanilla Milkshakes - Inspired by Circa Home's Vanilla Bean & Allspice fragrance

    A classic vanilla milkshake served in individual glasses and topped with a snickerdoodle cookie.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories:
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups vanilla ice-cream
    • 2 tsp vanilla essence
    • 2 cups milk

    Instructions

    • Place all ingredients into a blender or Thermomix.
    • Mix on high speed until all ingredients are combined.
    • Pour into serving glasses.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

    A half eaten cookie on top of a small white jar with a straw

    But it's not just all about the food... it's also about where you put it! I have to say that when it comes to decorating my Christmas table, I'm a big fan of keeping things simple and letting the food be the highlight. This year I'm really loving the whole natural, cream and gold look (I think it's because I'm in nursery preparation mode - so it's all about neutral colours at our house right now!!). Anyway, the Circa Home candles were the perfect way to offset my brunch dishes and classic table decorations. You might have also noticed that I used the Circa Home candle jars for my vanilla milkshakes. Yep, you can actually reuse them! How cool is that?! If you love to get crafty and do a bit of DIY, check out #ReuseCircaHome on social media - there are some very clever peeps decorating their Christmas tables with the reused products. Trust me, they're way cleverer than me!

    Christmas food and drink treats placed among wooden and fabric Christmas decorations and tea light candles

    « Spinach & Feta Gozleme | Easy & Cheesy Recipe
    5 Minute Christmas Bauble Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. slatteryc

      November 15, 2019 at 9:01 am

      This has made my life much easier, have been told it is my turn this year to host Xmas breakfast for the neighbors guess what they will be having. 🙂

      Reply
      • Lucy

        November 17, 2019 at 7:17 am

        Ooh that's fantastic! Have a great breakfast! xx

        Reply
    2. Jenni from Styling Curvy

      December 01, 2015 at 7:37 am

      Seriously, do you do Xmas day call outs?! What a stunning and clever menu! All the pretty and wow Mini milkshakes and snickerdoodle , what (big) kid could resist?

      Reply
      • Bake Play Smile

        December 01, 2015 at 4:42 pm

        Oh absolutely hehehe!

        Reply
    3. Sonia Life Love Hiccups

      November 26, 2015 at 7:10 pm

      OMG hun - you have SERIOUSLY out done yourself. I want to be at your Christmas table xx

      Reply
      • Bake Play Smile

        November 27, 2015 at 7:20 am

        Oh thank you lovely!

        Reply
    4. Laura | The Kiwi Country Girl

      November 23, 2015 at 5:09 am

      Oooo Lucy this has got me all sorts of excited for Christmas...off to plan my brunch now!! Elderflower champas will be making an appearance for sure! 🙂

      Reply
      • Bake Play Smile

        November 24, 2015 at 7:44 am

        Yay! Enjoy xx

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

    Popular Kids Recipes

    • A bowl filled with malted milk and coconut balls.
      Milo Balls | 4 Ingredient Recipe
    • Introducing the famous 100 Cookie Recipe made with just 4 ingredients... butter, caster sugar, condensed milk and self-raising flour. This freezer-friendly cookie dough can be flavoured with any add-ins you like!
      The Famous 100 Cookie Recipe | Condensed Milk Cookies
    • Our classic banana muffin recipe bakes perfectly soft and moist muffins that are ready in less than 30 minutes! A super easy recipe that's great for lunch boxes.
      Easy Banana Muffins
    • Raspberry cheesecake jelly slice on a white cake stand.
      Easy Jelly Slice
    • A stack of chocolate chip biscuits.
      The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • A quick and easy classic dark chocolate hedgehog slice made with crushed biscuits, walnuts, coconut and condensed milk... the perfect melt and mix slice!
      Chocolate Hedgehog Slice | No-Bake

    BBQ Favourites

    • Golden chicken rissoles on a plate with salad in the background.
      Chicken Rissoles
    • A hand lifting up a piece of creamy spinach cob loaf dip with crusty bread.
      Spinach Cob Loaf
    • An overhead shot of creamy dip.
      Cream Cheese Dip
    • A beef rissole on a fork in front of rocket and sauce.
      Beef Rissoles
    Names of brands that Bake Play Smile has had recipes featured in.

    Summer Salads

    • An overhead shot of a broccoli salad with bacon, almonds, cranberries and a creamy dressing.
      Creamy Broccoli Salad With Bacon
    • A bowl of cabbage salad with noodles.
      Chang's Crispy Noodle Salad
    • A rectangular serving dish filled with a pomegranate and yoghurt salad.
      Cypriot Grain Salad | Chef Recipe
    • A white plate topped with chopped potatoes, egg, bacon and spring onions.
      Creamy Bacon, Egg & Potato Salad

    Thermomix Cookbooks

    Browse our range of Thermomix cookbooks.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Accessibility
    • Terms Of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop the store

    Copyright © 2021 Bake Play Smile

     
    Manage Cookie Consent
    To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}