Holiday Recipes from our Williamsburg Bed and Breakfast 

Most of us have a favorite holiday treat to indulge on during the season, or a go-to recipe that’s always a hit at potlucks. Cherished holiday recipes are typically comforting and familiar, often bringing us a sense of nostalgia – like Grandma’s special hot cocoa with just the right amount of marshmallows or Uncle Johnny’s famous pot roast with his secret blend of spices.

At our family-run Williamsburg bed and breakfast, we strive to make our guests feel at home during their stay by offering refreshments and breakfast options each day. For those of you who aren’t able to join us during the cold winter months, we wanted to share a couple of our favorite recipes guaranteed to keep you warm throughout the winter, from our family to yours!

French Toast Casserole (makes 8 servings)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup flour
• 1 ½ cups
• tbsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 6 eggs
• 10 slices of 1-inch thick French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 oz. cream cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
• 1 cup blueberries, frozen or fresh
• ½ cup chopped nuts
• Powdered sugar (optional)
• Blueberry or maple syrup (optional)

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees
• Generously grease a 2 ½ quart or 13×9 inch baking dish
• Beat flour, milk, sugar, vanilla, salt, and eggs in a large bowl with a hand beater until smooth
• Stir in bread cubes until coated
• Pour the bread mixture into the pan
• Top evenly with cubed cream cheese, blueberries, and nuts
• Bakes 20-25 minutes, uncovered until top is golden brown
• If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup

Hot Spiced Apple Cider (makes 4 servings)

Flavored with cinnamon, cloves, ginger and orange. This easy, one-step recipe is the perfect warm drink for Thanksgiving or your holiday party.

• 4 cups apple cider
• 1 apple, cut into slices
• 1 orange, cut into slices
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 slices fresh ginger
• 1 tsp. whole allspice
• Add all ingredients into a large pot. Bring to a simmer and cover for about 10-15 minutes. Serve hot.

Edwards Ham Fantastic Biscuits (makes 6 servings)

We borrowed this recipe from our friends over at Edwards Ham because it is a Virginia party favorite and, frankly, too good not to share.

Ingredients:

• 1 package rolls
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• 10 ¾ oz can of undiluted cream of chicken soup
• 6 slices of Edwards Virginia Country Ham, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup white wine
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1-2 tsp. mustard (depending on your flavor preferences)
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. onion, diced and minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Line a 13×11 inch pan with foil that has been lightly greased with cooking oil spray
• Place rolls that have been filled with ham and cheese in the foil-lined pan, making sure they are very close together
• Mix melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and salt and pepper, then pour over rolls
• Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, or cover with foil and refrigerate until ready to make

These are just a few of the recipes Sharon and Billy love to make for their family and friends to warm their spirits and keep their stomachs happy around the holidays. These are tried and true favorites that guests of our Williamsburg Bed and Breakfast rave about. We hope you’ll take a stab at them. What holiday recipe are you famous for in your family?