Food and Recipes Entertaining Ideas & Tips 65 Mother's Day Brunch Recipes Mom Will Love By Zoe Denenberg Updated on December 22, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Tradition calls to celebrate Mother's Day with breakfast in bed, but here in the South, we have other plans. Mama needs her beauty sleep, and she often likes to dress up for an occasion. Why bombard her early in the morning when you can prepare an elegant Mother's Day brunch and let her take her time? We're talking the whole nine yards: Pretty tablescapes and floral arrangements, dresses and pearls, a pitcher of sweet tea and, of course, a stellar brunch spread that rivals anything Mama could've whipped up. Our menu features frittatas, casseroles, crepes, bread puddings, and breakfast breads. Start the meal with a plate of scones or muffins, then mix sweet and savory with quiche and a platter of syrup-bathed French toast. Mother's Day is a chance to celebrate all of the hard work our mothers do every day to support our families. It's a chance for us to say "thank you" for all the unconditional love she's given us throughout a lifetime. This Mother's Day, get Mama out of the kitchen for once and prepare a special brunch to honor the woman who does it all. Mama will be talking about this Mother's Day for many years to come. 01 of 65 Asparagus Quiche Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos This rustic, veggie-filled quiche is a fitting choice for a springtime brunch. The braided crust is sure to charm mom (even though we used store-bought piecrusts for ease.) Set this quiche on the table with a vase of flowers and a spring salad, and Mother's Day is complete. 02 of 65 Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole Alison Miksch Buttery croissants take this breakfast casserole to the next level. You'll want to prepare the casserole the night before so that the rich egg-and-cream mixture has time to soak in. This is topped with shredded Gruyère cheese, which turns golden brown and imparts a lovely, nutty flavor. 03 of 65 Orange Rolls Southern Living Sweeten the day with these gooey rolls with a hint of cinnamon and a sweet orange marmalade center. The glaze is flavored with orange extract for full, fruity flavor. Though they need a couple of hours to rise, you can start these Orange Rolls in the morning and serve them still warm from the oven. 04 of 65 Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Casserole Caitlin Bensel An ideal recipe for busy hosts, this stunning Cinnamon Roll Casserole comes together in your slow cooker. The cream cheese frosting is optional but highly recommended. Now that your hands are free, you can spend more time with the guest of honor. 05 of 65 Cheese-and-Sausage Quiche Will Dickey Mild pork sausage, green peppers, and sharp Cheddar cheese partner with creamy egg custard in this easy quiche recipe. You can follow the recipe precisely or feel free to riff—try bacon or chorizo, fresh spinach and mushrooms, or goat cheese instead. 06 of 65 Zucchini Bread Pancakes Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis If you can turn layer cakes into pancakes, why not make a beloved quick bread into a pancake, too? These pancakes capture the delicately spiced flavor of zucchini bread and are every bit as moist and tender. Sprinkle with toasted pecans and a mixture of maple syrup and mascarpone cheese for an unforgettable treat. 07 of 65 Sheet Pan Berry Pancakes with Honey-Butter Syrup Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Keep the skillet in the cabinet. These sheet pan pancakes will feed your whole crowd...with no flipping required. And you can make them with mom's favorite fruit, whether it's strawberries, blueberries, or peaches. 08 of 65 Cinnamon Coffee Cake Antonis Achilleos Treat mom to a slice of this indulgent, cinnamon-swirled coffee cake topped with a divinely sweet and crunchy streusel. The secret ingredient? Sour cream. Bake the cake all the way through for a light and tender crumb or cut the bake time short for an ooey-gooey center. 09 of 65 Easy Huevos Rancheros Bake Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Crowned with gleaming fried eggs, this simple corn tostada bake is a show-stopper. First, layer the tostadas, beans, enchilada sauce, and cheeses for baking. Fry the eggs separately and slide them on top, then garnish with avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeño. 10 of 65 Coffee Cake Muffins Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist Karen Rankin These coffee cake-inspired muffins are magic on their own, but if you're looking to get creative you can add in chocolate chips or blueberries too. The sweet pecan streusel is added for the final 10 minutes of baking. Serve them as an opener before the main dish, along with fresh-brewed coffee or a selection of herbal teas. 11 of 65 Biscuits-And-Gravy Skillet Jennifer Causey We gave the South's favorite breakfast a big-batch upgrade with the help of a cast-iron skillet. The sausage and gravy mixture is prepared in the pan, then topped with frozen biscuits arranged attractively in a circle. Bake until you have golden brown biscuits with rich and savory gravy bubbling beneath. 12 of 65 Mini Bananas Foster Sticky Buns Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Capture the flavors of New Orleans' famous dessert in an adorable, bite-sized sticky bun. This easy, time-saving recipe uses refrigerated crescent roll dough, filled with slightly caramelized, rum-soaked bananas. Treat this as an appetizer before your breakfast casserole or as a dessert after. 13 of 65 Shrimp and Grits Casserole Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos If you're planning to host a large gathering, this recipe is ideal for serving up the South's favorite dish. The grits are baked to creamy, cheesy perfection, then scooped onto a plate along with sauteed shrimp, bacon, and peppers. You'll find all the right flavors in this family-style dish. 14 of 65 Biscuit Cinnamon Sweet Rolls Alison Miksch Combine Mama's two favorite things—biscuits and cinnamon rolls—into one satisfying pastry. This recipe involves making homemade biscuits, but the lack of yeast makes them quicker to prepare than traditional cinnamon rolls. The three-ingredient Creamy Glaze also is a breeze to prepare. 15 of 65 Double Chocolate Chip Muffins Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist Karen Rankin If mom's a chocolate lover, you've landed on the right recipe. These Double Chocolate Chip Muffins actually aren't overly sweet, thanks to a combination of cocoa powder, bittersweet, and semisweet chocolates. Tangy sour cream and whole milk make them extra rich and moist. 16 of 65 Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Caitlin Bensel There's nothing like a special occasion to inspire us to combine the best of both worlds. Here, cinnamon rolls and pancakes combine to create a brown-sugar, cinnamon flavor bomb that mom is sure to love. You can drizzle these with cinnamon roll icing or maple syrup. 17 of 65 Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole Jennifer Causey With this recipe, you can do your flipping ahead of time and serve up warm, cinnamony pancakes to your guests all at once. Feel free to swap out blueberries for any berry of your choice to add color to this creative casserole. We like to heat the maple syrup and butter together to pour over these pancakes. 18 of 65 Sparkling Punch Jennifer Davick Pretty enough for a party, this Sparkling Punch doesn't call for any alcohol. But if mom is in the mood to celebrate, simply add a dash of champagne. Pink lemonade and white cranberry juice provide pink color and sweet-tart flavor. 19 of 65 Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Crumbly sausage meets crispy hash browns in your family's new favorite breakfast casserole. After all, the simple flavors of potato, sausage, and cheese are what we love about breakfast. Sprinkle with parsley and chives to dress up this dish. 20 of 65 Asparagus Frittata Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin Thanks to mascarpone cheese, this will be the lightest, creamiest, and fluffiest frittata recipe you've ever made. The asparagus is laid on top, allowing your creative juices to flow while you arrange the spears. Sprinkle with dill or chives after baking. 21 of 65 Buttermilk Breakfast Scones Southern Living Crisp, sugar-crusted tops and currants plumped in buttermilk make these scones a winner on mom's big day. We use a bit of orange zest in this recipe to brighten the flavor. Scones are equally popular for an early morning breakfast or an afternoon brunch. 22 of 65 Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox These cute-as-can-be doughnut poppers are rolled in cinnamon and sugar for the flavor of a snickerdoodle cookie. Plus, they're as easy to prepare as a mini muffin. However you classify this recipe, it makes a delectable treat for the brunch table. 23 of 65 Fried Chicken Biscuits with Rosemary Hot Honey Skyler Burt For a brunch that truly blends breakfast and lunch, these fried chicken sliders are the ultimate indulgence. Place piping hot fried chicken on a flaky buttermilk biscuit and drizzle with honey. Serve with sweet tea or a soft drink. 24 of 65 Cheesy Ham, Corn, And Grits Bake Hector Manuel Sanchez It isn't a Southern brunch without a big pot of grits—why not make an extra-indulgent side out of it with ham and corn? This easy twist on a soufflé uses yellow stone-ground grits and two types of Cheddar cheese, baked up puffy and golden with pockets of corn and cubed ham throughout. 25 of 65 Fried Skillet Potatoes Caitlin Bensel Diced and cooked to a crisp in a skillet, these breakfast potatoes might just outshine the eggs. A blend of garlic, onion, and chili powder cooks along with the potatoes for warm, toasty flavor. Season with salt and garnish with flat-leaf parsley after cooking. 26 of 65 Baked Oatmeal Jennifer Causey This cinnamon-spiced baked oatmeal has the texture of a bread pudding and tastes somewhere between homemade oatmeal cookies and a warm hug. The wholesome recipe has less sugar than an oatmeal bar and features healthy ingredients like apples, pecans, and raisins (feel free to use seasonal fruit and whatever nuts you have in the pantry). 27 of 65 Country Ham Hash Hector Manuel Sanchez Any good brunch spread needs ample sides, and this Country Ham Hash is our go-to for good reason. Bell peppers, onions, potatoes, and fresh rosemary emit a heavenly smell while cooking on the stove. Much as we love the condiment, you won't need ketchup with so much incredible flavor. 28 of 65 Biscuit-Bowl Biscuits Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Ivy Odom shares her family's beloved biscuits recipe. Because these biscuits are all about family tradition, this is the right time to pull out grandma's cherished wooden bowl. The biscuits are slightly crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy within. 29 of 65 Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding An almost-stale loaf of French bread gets a new lease on life in this utterly decadent Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding. Prepare the recipe the night before in your slow cooker and stick the insert in the fridge. In the morning, add the crunchy pecan topping and cook for about four hours until set. 30 of 65 Quiche Lorraine VVianney Rodriguez/Jason David Page/Southern Living Wow mom with this French classic that tastes as lovely as it looks. Quiche Lorraine is a brunch all-star due to its buttery crust, eggs, Swiss cheese, and bacon. Use a refrigerated pie crust to keep things simple. 31 of 65 Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox This cake can double as breakfast or dessert, making it an apt choice for a Mother's Day brunch. The batter has less sugar than many cakes and gets a bit of tartness from the lemon zest and buttermilk. The blueberries cook until moist, plump, and bursting with jammy flavor. 32 of 65 Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke This oversized "donut" combines the flavor of our favorite breakfast pastry with the richness of a pound cake. Baked in a Bundt pan, the leavening gives the dessert a cracked appearance similar to an old-fashioned donut. We use a simple glaze of powdered sugar and water, but you can make it more fun with colored sprinkles, chopped nuts, or toasted coconut. 33 of 65 Fresh Fruit Salad Jen Causey This simple side is easy to throw together and adds a pop of freshness to your brunch spread. Mix the berries, scooped melon balls, and orange slices with orange juice and honey for tangy sweetness. Adorn the top of the fruit salad with chopped mint leaves for another dose of bright, fresh flavor. 34 of 65 Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding Southern Living Sneak in some greens in the most delicious fashion with this Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding. Prepared in a slow cooker, this soft, cheesy dish requires about three hours for cooking. Serve with fruit or a side salad. 35 of 65 Citrus Pull-Apart Bread Have a slice of sunshine with this bright, shareable Citrus Pull-Apart Bread. To create the layers, the yeasty dough is cut into rectangles and sandwiched with a sweet lemon-and-orange zest filling. After baking, drizzle with a syrupy glaze of fresh juice and powdered sugar. 36 of 65 Ricotta Pancakes Hector Sanchez A platter of fluffy ricotta pancakes is made complete with brown butter-maple syrup and Blueberry Compote. The soft cheese creates a light and airy texture unlike anything else you'll find. If you want to get a head start on these cakes, they can be kept warm at 200 degrees in the oven. 37 of 65 Creamy Baked Eggs With Leeks And Spinach Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis For a savory and striking dish, Creamy Baked Eggs with Leeks and Spinach will hit the spot. The eggs nestle right in the greens to bake in the creamy sauce. Use high-quality farm eggs for the brightest-colored yolks in this bake, and serve on toasted English muffins. 38 of 65 Eggs Benedict Casserole Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Achieve the delicate, buttery flavor of Eggs Benedict without the difficulties of poaching eggs and whisking hollandaise sauce. In this casserole, toasted muffins and Canadian bacon are baked in a creamy egg mixture, then drizzled with hollandaise prepared simply in a blender. Sprinkle with paprika and green scallions for color. 39 of 65 Classic Baked Eggs Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This sophisticated dish (also known as Oeufs Cocotte) may look fancy, but all it really takes is a few ramekins, eggs, and heavy whipping cream. Since the eggs are cooked in individual servings, this is the ideal dish for a build-your-own brunch bar. Try bacon and Cheddar, feta and parsley, or fresh herbs and Parmesan. 40 of 65 Goldenrod Eggs Sheri Castle Brighten mom's day with this cheery dish that makes use of half a dozen hard-boiled eggs. The shaved egg yolks look like a dusting of pollen when sprinkled on creamed egg whites served over toast. Feel free to add herbs, onions, or hot sauce, depending on your taste. 41 of 65 Bacon And Egg Tarts With Goat Cheese Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis These gorgeous puff-pastry tarts pair salty bacon with perfectly-cooked, sunny-side-up eggs (just cook them longer if you don't like a runny yolk). Plum tomatoes add a pop of color, while the crumbled goat cheese adds creaminess—it all comes together for one impressive pastry. 42 of 65 Creamy Egg Strata Iain Bagwell Our Creamy Egg Strata is an unforgettable, bread-pudding-like dish that's worth whipping out on special occasions. Cubes of French bread soak up all the savory goodness of broth, white wine, garlic, and onions, then bake in an eggy Swiss cheese mixture. This filling breakfast casserole is at home with a side of breakfast sausage or a salad. 43 of 65 Bacon-And-Tomato Breakfast Casserole This bright, zesty breakfast casserole is filled with Mediterranean flavors. We layer pita chips, tomatoes, peppers, basil, mozzarella, and bacon, which spend the morning in the slow cooker. Garnish each serving with shredded fresh basil and halved grape tomatoes, and you've got an eye-catching main dish. 44 of 65 Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas This make-ahead recipe provides a delicious side on any brunch table. The grits are cooked for five minutes, then mixed with a rich concoction of half-and-half, mustard, cheese, and eggs. Bake them the morning of, preferably in pretty ramekins. 45 of 65 Ham Biscuits Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Classic buttermilk biscuits make a tasty base for country ham as well as our Creole Mayonnaise or any compound butter, cheese spread, or jam. Use a 2-inch biscuit cutter so your guests can try an assortment of sandwiches. Any way you slice it, these biscuits are melt-in-your-mouth good. 46 of 65 Banana Bread French Toast Casserole Jennifer Causey This incredibly moist and rich banana bread could stand on its own, but we've made it so much more. We've soaked the slices in a cinnamony custard, baked them until lightly browned, and topped it with bananas and honey. You can bake the bread and even prepare the casserole the night before. 47 of 65 Scrambled Egg And Crepe Casserole Photo: Iain Bagwell Savory crepes flecked with fresh herbs look positively springy. Here we've filled them with scrambled eggs, diced ham, and green onions, then smothered them in a creamy white Cheddar Cheese Sauce. You'll get extra points for serving them in an elegant dish. 48 of 65 Grapefruit-Rosemary Mimosas Photographer Jennifer Causey, Prop Stylist Lindsey Lower, Food Stylist Torie Cox This light and fizzy mimosa recipe swaps pink grapefruit juice for orange, resulting in a sparkling peach color. Rosemary simple syrup and a dash of peach bitters make this sophisticated Champagne cocktail suitable for special occasions. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a wedge of grapefruit. 49 of 65 Strawberry Crepes Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn These crepes lightly brown in a half teaspoon of butter, then get topped with Honeyed Strawberries and whipped cream for sweetness. Add a touch of Lillet Blanc to the fruit for a French twist. 50 of 65 Spring Salad With Berries And Bacon Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Nothing says Mother's Day like spring greens tossed with a generous helping of strawberries. We boost the flavor even more with a strawberry honey-mustard vinaigrette. This colorful salad can become an entree with the addition of rotisserie chicken or whole grains. 51 of 65 Elderflower-Champagne Cocktail Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs Take the traditional Mother's Day bouquet to another level with this beautiful and fragrant cocktail. You'll truly impress the guest of honor when you present her with a cocktail garnished with glittering edible flowers, frozen in ice cubes the night before. The cocktail itself is very simple, requiring just three ingredients. 52 of 65 Dutch Baby Pancake Micah A. Leal Whether you call it an oven pancake, a Dutch baby, or a Hootin Annie, this buttery cast-iron pancake will be the star of your brunch. The eggy batter climbs up the sides of the skillet in your oven, leaving a crater that can be filled with fresh fruit and whipped cream, maple syrup, honey, or your favorite jam or preserves. Try adding cinnamon and nutmeg for a spicy-sweet version. 53 of 65 Southern Salmon Benedict Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Our Southern Salmon Benedict has the classic flavors of eggs Benedict, but with a Southern flair from biscuits and pickled okra. The okra gives a nice acidic edge to the smoked salmon and buttery hollandaise sauce. Making hollandaise requires a bit of care, showing Mama how much she means to you. 54 of 65 Old Fashioned Tea Cake Micah Leal Old-fashioned tea cakes are more like a cookie than a cake, but you'll enjoy the simplicity of these very tender and mildly sweet treats no matter the name. We've added lemon zest for a hint of citrus—vanilla or cinnamon are also options. Break out your best tea set to make these cakes extra special. 55 of 65 Chocolate Chip Pancake Bake With Cinnamon-Pecan Streusel Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford This breakfast casserole should be prepared the night before, but every chocolatey bite makes the advance planning worth it. The chocolate chip pancakes can actually be made up to two months ahead of time and frozen. They are baked in a custard and topped with streusel and yet more chocolate before getting drizzled in syrup—the very definition of indulgent. 56 of 65 Bacon Cheddar Scones Joy Howard If mom prefers a savory breakfast over sweet, these scones studded with crispy bacon, savory scallions, and sharp Cheddar will do the trick. An egg gives them a loftier texture than many scones, which tend to be heavy. Dollop with real whipped butter and serve alongside a fruit salad to complete the meal. 57 of 65 Strawberry-Rhubarb Skillet Coffee Cake Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Spring produce shines in this buttery, crumb-topped coffee cake with a ribbon of strawberry-rhubarb filling. Coat the fruit in sugar and allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then remove the excess liquid to keep the sweet and tangy cake from growing soggy. You'll appreciate the crispy golden-brown crust the skillet creates in this cast-iron dessert. 58 of 65 Goat Cheese-And-Spring Onion Grits Soufflés Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Not as tricky as they seem, fluffy, airy French soufflés rely on egg whites for their dramatic puffed top. We've added a Southern touch with a cup of grits, which provides more texture and a subtle corn flavor to complement the creamy goat cheese and sweet spring onions. Sprinkle cheese and onions on top for extra flair. 59 of 65 Lemon-Poppy Seed Belgian Waffles With Blackberry Maple Syrup Jennifer Davick We've incorporated all the sweet, citrusy flavor of lemon-poppy seed muffins in a light and airy waffle. Then we whipped up Blackberry Maple Syrup with a hint of lemon juice to pour over top. Garnish with fresh blackberries and crème fraîche for the final touch. 60 of 65 Ham-And-Cheese Puff Pastries Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis These fancy-looking pastries belie how simple the recipe is. Fill a thawed puff pastry with ham, Gruyère, and honey mustard, brush with an egg wash, and bake. In about 30 minutes, you'll have a delicious, flaky brown main dish or a side for scrambled eggs. 61 of 65 Mini Hash Brown Frittatas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall These poppable breakfast bites wrap every savory breakfast ingredient into one package. Begin by baking a crust of hash browns in a muffin pan, then fill the base with spinach, onions, eggs, tomatoes, and cheese. You'll enjoy a full breakfast with every crispy, cheesy bite. 62 of 65 Cherry Turnovers Micah A. Leal The secret to the mouthwatering cherry gel in this flaky pastry is a drop of almond extract, which accentuates the flavor. The recipe calls for cooking the cherries over the stove until the fruit begins to break down and develop the perfect consistency. Then bake in store-bought puff pastry dough and drizzle with glaze for a real treat. 63 of 65 Raspberry-Almond Muffins With Honey Butter Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis These muffins feature nutty almond flour and crushed raspberries that taste amazing with every bite, but the whole raspberries and sliced almonds on top really add charm. Serve with butter mixed with honey and a pinch of salt, or try a more flavorful spread like Chai or Orange-Vanilla Honey Butter. 64 of 65 New Orleans Beignets Micah A. Leal Transport mom to the Big Easy with sweet, crispy beignets dusted in powdered sugar. The yeasty dough should be made at least four hours in advance (24 hours is totally acceptable). But you'll want to fry them right before serving so you can eat the puffy pastries while steaming hot. 65 of 65 Overnight French Toast Casserole with Bourbon-Maple Syrup Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos The Bourbon-Maple Syrup is the crowning glory of this easy overnight casserole. Assemble in advance, then pop the dish in the oven and savor the warm and spicy smells while it bakes. Use a good baguette and real maple syrup in honor of the occasion. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit