Bayern Munich started 2010 as they finished 2009 to go top of the Bundesliga table for the first time since May 2008.
Martin Demichelis slid home the first against Hoffenheim in the 35th minute before Miroslav Klose wrapped up victory four minutes from time to give Louis van Gaal's men their fifth straight league win.
It lifted them a point clear of Bayer Leverkusen, who have a game in hand.
Hoffenheim had the first sight of goal in the sixth minute as Demba Ba stretched to reach Boris Vukcevic's cross from the left, but could not get any direction on his effort and it went over.
Bayern, though, were looking fluent in possession, only to be let down on a couple of occasions by a poor final ball.
Bastian Schweinsteiger's free-kick narrowly missed the far post as no Bayern player managed to get a telling touch on the ball.
At the other end, Vedad Ibisevic's shot was parried away by Hans-Jorg Butt and Franco Zuculini could not react quick enough to pounce on the loose ball.
Bayern went ahead in the 35th minute as Schweinsteiger's cross from the left skipped off the top of a defender's head and dropped to Demichelis, who slid in to guide his shot across Timo Hildebrand and into the far corner.
Sejad Salihovic headed into the side netting for Hoffenheim three minutes later before Bayern took control after the break.
Gomez fired over after a parry from Hildebrand, who then beat away a left-footed shot from Thomas Muller after the Bayern man cut in from the right.
Ba was denied by Butt in the 72nd minute on a rare Hoffenheim attack in the second half.
Gomez shot wide from Arjen Robben's cut-back as the hosts continued to threaten a second, and it duly arrived in the 86th minute as Klose diverted home a shot from Mark van Bommel.
Gomez fired against the post in the final minute of normal time, but Bayern were already home and dry.
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