Make-Ahead Recipes for Easter Brunch

By Lisa Cericola
March 15, 2017
Credit: Southern Living
After church service is done and all the Easter eggs have been found, gather the family for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s already ready to serve. These make-ahead Easter brunch recipes can be made or prepped in advance so you can sit down to eat before the kids start unwrapping the chocolate bunnies. We’ve included dishes for the entire feast, from ham, to side salads, to desserts. Best of all, most of these recipes can be served buffet-style so everyone can help themselves—and you can enjoy the day.
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Brown Sugar-Bourbon Baked Ham

Recipe: Brown Sugar-Bourbon Baked Ham

Make this ham one to two days in advance, and store in the refrigerator before serving—it’s delicious served cold or reheated. The sweet and spicy glaze has a little kick from bourbon, but you can omit it if you like.

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Ham-Stuffed Biscuits with Mustard Butter

Recipe: Ham-Stuffed Biscuits with Mustard Butter

For a more casual Easter main dish, layer slices of ham inside these pillowy soft biscuits. Set out a dish of Mustard Butter so everyone can use as much as they like.

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Potatoes Patio

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Potatoes Patio

This rich and comforting potato casserole is delicious eaten on a patio—or dining room, or kitchen, or anywhere, really. Make it the night before, let it come to room temperature, then store in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving.

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Green Bean Potato Salad with Lemon-Soy Vinaigrette

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Green Bean Potato Salad with Lemon-Soy Vinaigrette

Combine two favorite side dishes—green beans with toasted almonds and potato salad—into one tasty and pretty side dish. Prepare all of the ingredients in advance, then dress the salad just before serving, either chilled or at room temperature.

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How To Make Easter Peeps Pops

How sweet are these handheld Easter pops? This simple, kid-friendly recipe from our friends at MyRecipes makes for a fun family activity during the season. All you'll need are some Peeps marshmallows, melted chocolate, and your favorite toppings (sprinkles, crushed pretzels, etc.). If you've got lots of extra Peeps to spare, trying wrapping them individually in cellophane and sharing with your child's class or teachers.

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Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Recipe: Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Make the most of juicy spring strawberries with this light and lovely salad. Pungent blue cheese works well with the mild spinach and sweet berries, but you can also use crumbled feta or goat cheese.

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Best Carrot Cake

Credit: Tina Cornett

Recipe: Best Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is an Easter classic, and this recipe tastes even better when made a day in advance, so that the tangy-sweet Buttermilk Glaze can thoroughly soak through the cake layers.

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Easter Cookies

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Easter Cookies

Christmas shouldn’t be the only holiday worthy of cookie cutters. Make these fun treats for (or with!) the kids. The dough for these five-ingredient cookies can be made up to three days in advance. Store in the refrigerator.

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By Lisa Cericola