30 Mother's Day Brunch Recipes for a Special Celebration

Our sweet and savory ideas are just what you need to make a delicious meal for Mom.

pansy pancakes
Photo: Paola + Murray

Start Mom's day off on a delicious start with our Mother's Day brunch ideas. (And yes, these recipes can be served for breakfast if you and she prefer.)

Whether she prefers sweet, savory, or both, options abound. You can make a lot of these dishes ahead of time, which will come in handy if you're making a few different things. Some of these recipes have a healthy bent, while all of them feel indulgent and special. Pops of color from seasonal fruit or vegetables are present throughout, ensuring these dishes look as lovely as they taste.

Whether you serve her brunch in bed or gather her loved ones around the table—whatever you do, don't forget the fresh-brewed coffee or pot of tea.

01 of 30

Strawberry and Toasted-Sesame Scones

strawberry-and-toasted-sesame-scones
Johnny Miller

What could be better for a Mother's Day brunch than these simple scones packed with sunny strawberry flavor? Make them ahead of time and freeze, baked or unbaked, so you can focus on other dishes that morning.

02 of 30

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Baked French Toast

bacon egg and cheese baked french toast
Johnny Miller

Wow your mom with this brunch mashup that's a mix of the world's best breakfast sandwich and a classic egg-and-cheese strata. Prep it up to a day in advance, then slide it into the oven and watch it puff up into this dramatic, delicious, easy-to-slice feast.

03 of 30

Easy Cheese-and-Jam Danishes

easy cheese-and-jam danishes
Johnny Miller

Using store-bought puff pastry makes these cream-cheese-filled, jam-swirled beauties a cinch to make. While they aren't technically Danish pastries because they aren't made with a yeasted dough, they're still sure to delight Mom. You can make them a day ahead if you like.

04 of 30

Favorite Buttermilk Pancakes

buttermilk pancakes
Armando Rafael

A stack of pancakes makes a stellar Mother's Day brunch dish, especially when you serve them with whipped cream, strawberries, and maple syrup—it's like having strawberry shortcake for breakfast!

05 of 30

Easy Eggs Benedict

easy eggs benedict
Chris Simpson

You can take this luxe Mother's Day brunch dish in any direction: classic, or dressed up with caramelized tomato or crabmeat.

06 of 30

Smoked-Salmon Flatbread with Pickled Beet

Smoked-Salmon Flatbread with Pickled Beet
Jenny Huang

If Mom loves bagels and smoked salmon, make her this brunch appetizer that takes the cream cheese and salmon combo to new heights. Use store-bought pizza dough for the flatbread and Boursin in place of cream cheese; it's packed with flavorful garlic and herbs.

07 of 30

Asparagus Custard Tart

Asparagus Custard Tart
Jonathan Lovekin

Plan to bake this eggy tart for your special brunch, then keep on scrolling for more ideas. That's right: This one is so easy to make that you'll want to whip up something else, too. The filling, a spectacular combination of Gruyère, goat cheese, and cream is studded with spring's most sought-after vegetable: asparagus. What's more, it's made with store-bought puff pastry, which makes it easy on the cook and gives the finished tart an impressive look.

08 of 30

One-Bowl Buttermilk Waffles

One-Bowl Buttermilk Waffles
Ryan Liebe

Get ahead on Mother's Day brunch prep by making these freezer-friendly one-bowl waffles. As easy to prepare as they are to clean up, the sweet breakfast can be served hot off your waffle iron or reheated from frozen.

09 of 30

Pear-and-Raspberry Baked French Toast

pear raspberry baked french toast
Julia Gartland

Thick slices of challah soak up the custard in this casserole, while Bosc pears and fresh raspberries add just the right amount of sweetness. The best part? You can prep the whole thing in advance and bake it just before brunch.

10 of 30

Roasted Radish Tart

sweet radish tart
Anson Smart

This creative cauliflower tart lets you present present Mom with an edible bouquet of blooming watermelon radishes that sit atop a deliciously creamy base.

11 of 30

Watercress, Strawberry, and Toasted Sesame Salad

Watercress, Strawberry, and Toasted-Sesame Salad
Gentl and Hyers

Need proof that opposites attract? This salad, with peppery watercress and honeyed strawberries, is it. Plus, the bright, beautiful dish—which includes feta, toasted sesame seeds, and roasted tamari almonds—comes together in a snap. It's the perfect side dish for your Mother's Day brunch.

12 of 30

Cinnamon Rolls

cinnamon rolls in glass pan with bowl of frosting
Lennart Weibull

Celebrate Mom with these irresistible sticky-sweet cinnamon buns finished with a tangy cream cheese glaze.

13 of 30

Asparagus With Blender Hollandaise

Asparagus with Blender Hollandaise
Ngoc Minh Ngo

Bring some green to brunch with this easy take on the classic pairing of asparagus and Hollandaise sauce. Made in the blender, the sauce comes together in seconds.

14 of 30

Fruit Platter With Whipped Ricotta

fruit platter with whipped ricotta

This unique fruit salad includes sliced raw fruit along with poached peaches, whipped ricotta, and digestive biscuits. It's a lovely finish for a Mom's Day brunch.

15 of 30

Dutch Baby With Ham and Chives

green eggs and ham dutch baby
Lennart Weibull

Easy but impressive, this eggy pancake puffs up like a soufflé when it bakes and will delight Mom (she doesn't have to know it's more hands off than basic pancakes!).

16 of 30

Bell Pepper Egg-in-a-Hole

med105605_0610_bellpepper_egg.jpg

Peppers and eggs are a winning combination, and this smart recipes puts them together brilliantly. Serve them on multigrain toast to sop up the sunny yolks.

17 of 30

Baked Cake Donuts

baked donuts
Bryan Gardner

Donuts in a rainbow of festive hues are just the thing for Mother's Day brunch. Let Mom have her pick from powdered, glazed, or smothered in toasted coconut.

18 of 30

Cinnamon Toast

XO cinnamon toast and yogurt
Pernille Loof

Tell Mom you love her by spelling it out with cinnamon sugar on toast. Bonus points if you pair it with a fruit-on-the-bottom, hearts-on-the-top yogurt parfait.

19 of 30

Zucchini Muffins

zucchini muffins
Bryan Gardner

These baked treats call for orange, cinnamon, anise, and cardamom, along with grated zucchini, giving them nuanced flavor you don't often find in muffins.

20 of 30

Baked Oatmeal for a Crowd With Berries and Seeds

baked oatmeal for a crowd with seeds and berries

Chris Simpson

The perfect way to whip up oatmeal for a group, this hearty casserole is even more delectable when served with extra maple syrup.

21 of 30

Swiss Chard Frittata

How to Make Swiss Chard Frittata | Martha Stewart

This healthy egg dish includes sautéed chard, along with roasted tomatoes and tangy feta for bright bursts of flavor.

22 of 30

Scrambled-Egg and Sausage Pocket Pastries

scrambled egg sausage pocket
Ngoc Minh Ngo

Start Mom's day off right with this savory, grown-up take on pop tarts. They're filled with a tasty mixture of scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage and can be made ahead and frozen. Use our step-by-step guide to get them just right.

23 of 30

Potato-Crusted Herb Quiche

potato-crusted herb quiche
Ryan Liebe

A quiche is always a good idea for brunch, especially when it's this beautiful! Mom is sure to ooh and ahh over the gratin-like potato crust and artfully arranged herb filling.

24 of 30

Lemon-Poppy Seed Buttermilk Biscuits

lemon poppy seed biscuits
Armando Rafael

Lemon zest and poppy seeds amp up these fluffy, cloud-like biscuits. Lightly sweetened whipped cream and sliced strawberries take them over the top.

25 of 30

Ham and Egg Crepe Squares

med106461_0111_how_ham_crepe.jpg

Breakfast never looked so elegant. These crepes are lined with Black Forest ham—and there's also a sunny-side-up egg peeking out of each.

26 of 30

Yogurt Panna Cotta With Strawberries and Granola

panna-cotta-detail-110-d111855.jpg
Bryan Gardner

Make ordinary Greek yogurt brunch-worthy by turning it into a luscious vanilla panna cotta. Top with strawberries and Mom's favorite granola.

27 of 30

Hot Ham-and-Cheese Croissant

twice-baked ham croissant served on a gray plate
Gieves Anderson

These decadent croissants are a snap to make. They combine store-bought pastries with Swiss and Gruyère, along with a bit of Dijon mustard and a slice of ham. Bake them until crisp and serve.

28 of 30

Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups

med105881_0910_tin001a.jpg

A fun twist on a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, these cups are a guaranteed Mom-pleaser. The recipe is super versatile: Use crumbled sausage or spinach instead of bacon, or sprinkle with Parmesan or Mom's favorite cheese.

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Glazed Lemon-Ginger Scones

lemon ginger scones on plate next to butter dish
Mike Krautter

These lively buttermilk scones have three kinds of ginger (fresh, dried, and crystallized) and are finished with a lemon glaze. Pair them with coffee, tea, or a glass of Champagne to toast Mom with.

30 of 30

Pansy Pancakes

pansy pancakes
Paola + Murray

Pancakes and flowers are hallmarks of Mother's Day, so why not combine them for the ultimate brunch dish? These buttermilk flapjacks burst with edible blossoms, thanks to a quick cooking time that preserves their vivid colors.

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