Home Recipes Meal Types Brunch
Kate EllsworthUpdated: Feb. 08, 2024
Check out some of our favorite Mother's Day brunch ideas that allow you to spend more time with mom and impress her with your culinary finesse!
Nothing says Mother’s Day more than kids bursting into the bedroom at a ridiculously early hour with a wobbling tray of orange juice and toast. And as much as the meal is lacking, mom can’t help but think it’s adorable nonetheless.
But what if she could have it all? The cute kids, and a meal to match? Whether it’s breakfast, lunchor somewhere in between, make her something that’ll knock her socks off. Bonus if you pair it with one of these cute Mother’s Day crafts.
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
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I like to try different fun fillings in these soft rolls, and each one is packed with cinnamon flavor. They are definitely worth the overnight wait. —Chris O’Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Huckleberry Bear Claws
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Beware: Bear claws may lead to bear hugs! My family can't get enough of these quick, easy pastries made from homegrown huckleberries, especially when one of the treats is paired with a cup of coffee or tea. Use blueberries if you can't find huckleberries. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana
Cheesy Potato Egg Bake
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I whipped up this cozy egg bake with potato crowns for an easy “brinner.” Use add-ins you like – sweet peppers, onions, broccoli, carrots. The possibilities are endless. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal
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This recipe means that a delectable Mother’s Day dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekend mornings. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mixed Berry French Toast Bake
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I love this Mother’s Day recipe! It’s perfect for fuss-free holiday breakfasts or company, it’s utterly delicious and so easy to put together the night before. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine
Heavenly Cheese Danish
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This tempting cheese Danish bakes to flaky perfection's shines with the simple gloss of an egg wash. It tastes just as decadent as any breakfast pastry you'd find in a bakery or coffee shop. —Josephine Triton, Lakewood, Ohio
Sausage and Pancake Casserole
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Trial and error made this pancake casserole recipe one that my family asks for time and time again. It's so easy and very good. —Ethel Sanders, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Creamy Lemon Almond Pastries
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I love lemon filled doughnuts when I can find them. This recipe brings the concept to a new level by placing the filling into a baked beignet and enhancing it with a bit of almond flavoring and toasted almonds. The result? Sunshine in a bite. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Cinnamon Blueberry French Toast
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I like to prep this breakfast in the evening, let it chill, then turn on the slow cooker when we wake up in the morning. It’s done just right. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
French Toast Casserole
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Topped with cinnamon and sugar, this overnight French toast casserole is my favorite way to make this breakfast favorite. Since you assemble this baked Mother’s Day treat the previous night, you save time in the morning, and if you have an extra hungry crowd, it’s easy to bake up a few batches. —Sharyn Adams, Crawfordsville, Indiana
Green Chile Brunch Bake
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It’s easy to make this ahead in a 13×9 inch pan. It’s filling, perfect for a crowd, and helps busy moms out. —Trista Thinnes, Fort Worth, Texas
Overnight Yeast Waffles
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Whip up this crowd-sized batch of batter the night before your big Mother’s Day brunch. In the morning, it’s quick and easy to turn out enough waffles for the whole crew. What a delicious way to get the party started! —Mary Balcomb, Florence, Oregon
Apple-Cinnamon Baked French Toast
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When my wife and I hosted a breakfast for our church group, we wanted to avoid the last-minute rush of cooking. So we decided to try this French toast. Everyone loved it and requested the recipe! — John Cashen, Moline, Illinois
Scrambled Egg Hash Brown Cups
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They may look like muffins, but these cuties pack all your favorite rise-and-shine ingredients—eggs, hash browns and bacon—into a single-serving cup. Grab one and get munching. —Talon DiMare, Bullhead City, Arizona
Hearty Breakfast Egg Bake
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I always fix this Mother’s Day brunch casserole ahead of time. Then I simply add some toast or biscuits and fresh fruit for a complete meal that everyone loves. This dish also reheats well. –Pamela Norris, Fenton, Missouri
Vegetable Strata
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This strata makes for a great Mother’s Day lunch or brunch. It can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington
Lemon Blueberry Drop Scones
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I enjoy serving these fruity scones for baby and bridal showers. They're a bit lower in fat than most other scones, so you can indulge with little guilt. —Jacqueline Hendershot, Orange, California
Cheesy Zucchini Quiche
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A few years ago, I found this zucchini quiche recipe that's quick to prepare and freezes well, too. Just put it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight and pop it into the oven when you wake up! —Karen Howard, Lakeville, Massachusetts
Baked French Toast
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Any day is special when Mom makes one of her French toast recipes, like this do-ahead baked version. It’s the perfect Mother’s Day brunch star. —Jill Baughman, New York, New York
Puff Pastry Danishes
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Even though they’re simple to make, these jam-filled pastries are right at home in a holiday brunch spread. They were my dad’s favorite, so the recipe will always be close to my heart. —Chellie Helmke, Jackson Center, Ohio
Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and Eggs
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Hash browns make a fabulous crust for these individual egg quiches. They look fancy yet they’re easy to make. They’ve been a hit at Mother’s Day brunches and other special occasions.—Kate Meyer, Brentwood, Tennessee
Baked Blueberry Pancake
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For a quick breakfast, Norna makes the pancake while fixing supper the night before, then cuts it into squares. The next morning, she tops them with butter and syrup before placing them in the microwave. This innovative way to make pancakes takes most of the fuss out of making breakfast. Norna Detig - Lindenwood, Illinois
Pecan Coffee Cake
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This nutty coffee treat is on the table for Mother’s Day breakfast each year. The simple recipe is a big timesaver on a busy morning. Everyone loves the crunchy topping. —Becky Wax, Tuscola, Illinois
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
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I keep frozen spuds on hand for meals like this Tater Tot breakfast casserole. It’s a super brunch, breakfast or side dish for kids of all ages. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Italian Brunch Torte
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We always serve this impressive layered breakfast bake with a salad of mixed greens and tomato wedges. It is one of our most requested Mother’s Day dishes and can be served warm or cold. —Danny Diamond, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Orange Ricotta Pancakes
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These popular pancakes are likely to spark a craving. For a different twist, switch the citrus ingredient to lime or lemon juice.—Brehan Kohl, Anchorage, Alaska
Baked French Toast with Strawberries
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French toast is a crowd-pleaser, but it's hard to make for a big group. This overnight casserole with strawberries and a sweet pecan topping fixes everything. —David Stelzl Jr., Waxhaw, North Carolina
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To keep my family going strong throughout the day, I start with lean ground beef and spices, then sneak some spinach into this protein-packed dish. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Eggs Benedict with Homemade Hollandaise
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Legend has it that poached eggs on an English muffin started at Delmonico’s in New York. Here’s my take on this brunch classic, and don’t spare the hollandaise. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia
Cinnamon Doughnut Muffins
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Back when my children were youngsters, they loved these doughnut muffins as after-school treats or with Mother’s Day brunch. —Sharon Pullen, Alvinston, Ontario
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I made this tasty sausage and crescent roll breakfast casserole for a baby shower. It saved the day: Preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas
Pumpkin Waffles with Orange Walnut Butter
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This is so delicious! Bring a flourish to the Mother’s Day breakfast table with these unique and flavorful waffles. —Brandi Davis, Pullman, Washington
Bananas Foster Baked French Toast
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Mmm…bananas Foster for breakfast! This yummy baked French toast serves up all the taste of the spectacular Mother’s Day dessert in fine fashion. —Laurence Nasson, Hingham Massachusetts
Cherry Chip Scones
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These buttery scones dotted with dried cherries and vanilla chips are so sweet and flaky that I sometimes serve them for dessert. —Pam Brooks, South Berwick, Maine
Maple Bacon French Toast Bake
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Our family loves Mother’s Day brunch. Each season I try to bring a little different flavor to the table. This French toast bake reminds us of fall. Whole or 2% milk works best, but I use regular almond milk because I can’t have dairy and it works, too! —Peggie Brott, Milford, Kansas
Monte Cristo Casserole with Raspberry Sauce
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My husband likes the ham and cheese sandwich known as the Monte Cristo. I based this casserole on the sandwich, and it makes a terrific brunch dish. —Mary Steiner, Parkville, Maryland
Brunch Ham Enchiladas
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When I'm expecting company for brunch, the menu often features this tried-and-true casserole. With ham, eggs and plenty of cheese, the enchiladas are flavorful, hearty and fun. And they're easy to assemble the day before.—Gail Sykora, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Cinnamon Apple Cider Monkey Bread
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I use the cold-weather staple apple cider—plus apples and more cinnamon—to turn plain cinnamon rolls into monkey bread. My boys love the sticky sweetness. —Kelly Walsh, Aviston, Illinois
Caramel Nut Breakfast Cake
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I first tasted this incredible coffee cake when a kind neighbor brought it by. It was so good that my brother-in-law tried hiding it from us so he wouldn’t have to share. —Arlene Isaac, Crooked Creek, Alberta
Savory Apple-Chicken Sausage
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These easy, healthy sausages taste great, and they make an elegant Mother’s Day brunch dish. The recipe is also very versatile: It can be doubled or tripled for a crowd, and the sausages freeze well either cooked or raw. —Angela Buchanan, Longmont, Colorado
Overnight Pancakes
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Our kids love waking up to these golden, fluffy pancakes. The buttermilk batter is refrigerated overnight, making them perfect for busy mornings and special occasion breakfasts alike. —Lisa Sammons, Cut Bank, Montana
Crustless Spinach Quiche
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I served this crustless quiche at a church lunch, and I had to laugh when one guy told me how much he disliked vegetables. Many people were surprised by how much they loved this veggie-filled quiche recipe—and he was one of them! —Melinda Calverley, Janesville, Wisconsin
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In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I’m sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
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When we used to have Sunday breakfasts with my grandparents, my mom often made this for grandpa because he enjoyed it so much. Pork sausage and cinnamon bread taste surprisingly good together. —Carolyn Levan, Dixon, Illinois
Maple Bacon French Toast Bake
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Our family loves Mother’s Day brunch. Each season I try to bring a little different flavor to the table. This French toast bake reminds us of fall. Whole or 2% milk works best, but I use regular almond milk because I can’t have dairy and it works, too! —Peggie Brott, Milford, Kansas
Blueberry-Sausage Breakfast Cake
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I fix this breakfast cake for my co-workers often. The blueberries and sausage are such a nice sweet-salty flavor combo. —Peggy Frazier, Indianapolis, Indiana
Originally Published: March 17, 2022
Kate Ellsworth
Kate has been writing about her favorite brands and products for more than 10 years. She's started a few well-intentioned yet short-lived blogs and loves to spend her time perusing the Internet for the best deals. She currently works as an executive editor for a product-testing website, where she oversees lifestyle topics including sleep, pets, health and fitness and crafts.
In her spare time, you can find Kate baking, quilting and hanging out with her husband, Matt, and newborn, Vivienne.