21 mother’s day brunch recipes
Mother’s Day is just a few days away, and we’ve got brunch on the brain! These 21 recipes have you covered for all ideas from sweet to savory, food to drink, and everything in-between. Make Mom feel extra-special by making any one of these delicious and easy-to-follow recipes for Mother’s Day brunch this year.
Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes
I have what is likely an unpopular opinion to share: I’m not a regular brunch fan. Call me old-fashioned, but I’m much more inclined to enjoy three solid meals a day rather than combining two of them. That being said, there is a time and a place for a good brunch, and Mother’s Day is definitely one of those times — and the place is, preferably, at home (so I can stay in my jammies and not have to wait for a table when I’m getting hangry, amiright).
This year, my mom is in town for Mother’s Day because it is also my oldest daughter’s birthday (she’ll be SEVEN, hold me), so we have some extra celebrating to do! But before we bring out the cake and blow out the candles, we’ll be enjoying a homemade brunch feast. The day is going to be centered around a lot of eating, and I’m very OK with that.
If you’re looking to brunch-ify your Mother’s Day for that special lady in your life, I have not one, not two, but 21 Mother’s Day brunch recipe ideas for you, all curated for you right here. Whether you want to go sweet or savory, make a meal or a fancy pastry, this recipe list has you covered.
Sweet Brunch Recipe Ideas
These sweet, lemon-flavored, poppy-seed-flecked, bakery-style muffins are literal sunshine in baked good form. The kids will love to help make them, Mom will love eating them, everyone will be happy. Win-win-win.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Pancakes
No one should have to choose between dessert for breakfast or breakfast for dessert, which is why these oatmeal chocolate chip cookie-flavored pancakes make the choice easy for you. Bonus points if you serve these on a platter in bed with flowers and orange juice and coffee like they do in the movies.
Triple Berry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Soft, sweet cake + thick crumb topping + a ribbon of cream cheese and fresh berries = this jaw-droppingly beautiful and delicious coffee cake, just begging to be a part of Mom’s day.
Blueberry Brioche French Toast Casserole
French toast casserole is great, but a French toast casserole made with soft and tender brioche bread and fresh blueberries bursting with juices is GREAT. This makes enough for a group, so feel free to halve the recipe for a small family (though the leftovers will keep for a day or two, also!).
Mom loves coffee, but Mom really loves fancy coffee every now and then (I speak from experience). This Nutella-flavored latte is not only easy to make, but it’s what Mom wants (trust me).
Overnight Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns
Forgo the last-minute trip to the bakery or the grocery store to buy sticky buns and make these homemade buns instead! You’ll need to do some prep the night before, but that makes the morning mayhem with you + the kids that much easier.
I couldn’t love these muffins more if I tried, and once you make them, I bet you’ll feel the same. They just scream springtime, and they’re the perfect treat to enjoy on Mother’s Day or any day.
Is it a bread? A muffin? Both? Doesn’t matter — whatever it is, it’s DELICIOUS. I mean, that crumbly topping and those fresh blueberries? Hellooo.
Ooey-Gooey Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
“I don’t like cinnamon rolls,” said no one, ever. Make Mother’s Day brunch extra-fancy and extra-special with these easy overnight cinnamon rolls and truly everyone will be pleased.
Savory Brunch Recipe Ideas
I remember the first time I tried shakshuka and wondered where it had been all my life. The tangy tomato sauce, the soft-yolk eggs, the feta cheese scattered on top… YUM. This sheet-pan version is just as tasty and just as easy as the original.
5-Ingredient Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
We are big fans of smoked salmon in our household, so we eat like 1,536 of these pinwheels whenever we make them. Good thing they only need five ingredients to come together; so if your fam also loves the smoked salmon, you can prep a bunch in no time.
Open-Faced Caprese Sandwiches with Brown Butter and Burrata
Open-faced caprese sandwiches with brown butter + burrata = a fancy way to say TASTY TOAST. If you can’t find burrata at the store, fresh mozzarella works well, too!
This recipe is a perennial favorite on the blog, and for good reason. Have you ever tried Raincoast Crisps before? Have you also ever noticed the price tag? Now you can make them at home for a fraction of the cost. Moms everywhere will be impressed.
Flaky, Fluffy Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
There’s nothing better than a good biscuit for brunch topped with soft butter, or fruity jam, or scrambled eggs, or cheese and ham, or — you get it. Bonus: I walk you through each step in this recipe so you know just what to do!
Dessert Recipe Ideas
This is a really fun recipe to make with kiddos! They will love making their own work of art in fruit form, and Mom will love eating it (after she takes about a gazillion pics).
Instant Pot Chocolate Cheesecake
You read that correctly — DESSERT in the Instant Pot! If you’re like my dad where the IP reigns supreme in your household, consider this your gateway into making desserts in the countertop appliance, too. It’s actually really, really good.
Say “hey” to this no-bake cake! Layers of store-bought (or homemade, if that’s how you roll!) pound cake, a whipped cream-mascarpone mixture, orange liqueur-spiked raspberry jam and fresh raspberries make this easy “tiramisu” almost too pretty to eat (almost).
Make Mom feel loved with an extra-fudgy, crinkly-top brownie with Black Forest flavors. It’s just the right thing to do.
If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert for Mother’s Day brunch, this lemon poppy seed cake is it. Every layer is delightfully sweet and citrusy, sprinkled with poppy seeds and completely delicious.
Flourless Brownies with Salted Caramel Topping
These gluten-free brownies are a hit for anyone who tries them. And that salted caramel sauce on top? Mom will swoon.
Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars
These triple-layered dessert bars are not only seasonal, they’re delectable. Shortbread crust? Check. Fruity strawberry-rhubarb center? Check. Creamy cheesecake topping? Check. Perfect for Mother’s Day (or any day)? Check.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, grandmoms, moms-to-be, moms with babes no longer earthside, those with hearts that long to be mamas, etc. — this day is for all of you. <3