A Delicious Make-Ahead Brunch Menu for Mother's Day

Let Mom sleep in while you finish making this decadent spread.

Mother's Day brunch
Photo: Linda Pugliese

What says "I love you Mom" better than breakfast in bed? We've got it: letting Mom sleep in while you prepare a delightful brunch for the family. Don't worry, you don't have to wake up too early-our menu is packed with make-ahead recipes and tips. When Mom wakes up, greet her with a glass of cold-brew coffee and a beautiful array of fresh vegetables and vegetable chips with a three-ingredient savory yogurt dip. Then sit down for a decadent main, like French toast stuffed with ham and Gruyère, balanced with a simple yet satisfying salad. For dessert, serve sliced tropical fruits with a crunchy coconut and pistachio topping.

To Toast

Every good brunch begins with coffee. Our DIY cold brew recipe brings this trendy beverage into your home at a fraction of the price and is all made ahead. In the morning, all you need to do is strain the coffee and serve the cold brew over ice with Mom's favorite milk. Combine ground coffee and water the night before and let steep overnight.

Toast Mom with a pitcher of bright, beautiful citrusy cocktails. Our big-batch Vermouth-Grapefruit Sangria recipe can be made up to a day before serving.

yogurt-dip-with-crudites-and-chips-102797947.jpg
Aya Brackett

To Snack

Za'atar, a flavorful Middle Eastern spice blend, is the star of this easy three-ingredient Yogurt Dip with Crudites and Chips. With the help of a little bit of grated garlic, the spices carry the flavor of the dip, complementing the tangy Greek yogurt. Make sure to pair it with dippers Mom loves.

Frisee Salad with Pistachios and Dijon Vinaigrette
Linda Pugliese

The Main

For an inspired sweet-and-savory brunch main, prepare Baked Stuffed French Toast, which is filled with ham and Gruyère cheese. The individual servings look elegantly assembled, and the cook's secret is that it's actually cooked as a casserole. A warm drizzle of maple syrup at the table seals the deal—this is one of the tastiest brunch dishes ever. Assemble the French toast in a baking dish the night before so it's ready to bake in the morning while you finish the rest of the meal preparation; that takes one big thing off your day-of to-do list.

The Side

Balance the flavor-packed stuffed French toast with a lighter side, our Frisée Salad with Pistachios and Dijon Vinaigrette. Pick out beautiful greens, as they make all the difference for the presentation. Drizzle with a classic Dijon vinaigrette and sprinkle with toasted pistachios to serve. Make the vinaigrette the night before and refrigerate, covered. Re-whisk before serving if the dressing separates.

tropical fruit salad pistachio crunch

The Dessert

Tropical fruits on their own are such a treat, but when you pair them with a crunchy, nutty topping, they're even better. Our Tropical Fruit with Coconut-Pistachio Crunch is the perfect brunch dessert, and it's so beautiful and fresh—you'll achieve the "crunch" with what is essentially an oat-less granola with lots of nutty coconut and lime flavor and a subtle cayenne kick. It's sure to become the new favorite fruit topping in your household. The coconut-pistachio crunch can be made up to three days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

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