If you grew up with a mom who adored whipping up special breakfasts on the weekends, it's time to return the favor this Mother's Day. Here are more than 15 deliciously decadent brunch recipes that won't wreak havoc on her — or anyone else's — healthy lifestyle. For an added bonus, these are all a cinch to make!
Make this Mother's Day memorable and delicious with an impressive brunch spread. Don't hold back here — more is more when it comes to brunch. We've got an idea for a tasty menu that will make any mom feel so loved . . . and full.
Daytime Drinks
Mimosas or Bloody Marys? Who says you have to choose? Have a wonderfully boozy start to the day (which will probably be followed by an afternoon nap) with fresh grapefruit mimosas and classic Bloody Marys to choose from.
Sweet and Savory Main Courses
An uncomplicated and filling frittata is a great way to serve eggs to a crowd. This savory recipe is chock full of veggies and it's easily adaptable to fit your taste preferences. For a sweeter counterpart, cook up a fluffy french toast strata with chicken sausage. Make life easier on yourself and put this together the night before, so you can just wake up and stick it in the oven.
A Hashed-Out Side Dish
Sweet potato hash browns are easy to put together and are especially delicious doused in your favorite hot sauce. This side dish complements the sweet and savory items of the brunch spread perfectly.
Seasonal Fruit Salad
For some freshness, grab your favorite fruit and throw together a fresh fruit salad. A rich meal like this benefits from a crisp and juicy component.
Chocolate-Covered Ending
Finally, because your mom is totally worth it, make a bunch of chocolate-covered strawberries to finish the meal that will show her just how much you love her.
What are you cooking or eating this Mother's Day?
This Mother's Day, instead of taking Mom out for brunch, do something that's friendlier on the wallet, and treat her to a homemade breakfast in bed. There's nothing more gratifying than watching her enjoy what you've created for her: a special meal that shows her how much you care. To get inspired, click through to see some of our best morning recipes.
What's a decadent brunch without a warm and fluffy stack of pancakes doused in melted butter and syrup? The problem is that real maple syrup packs on the calories — 200 per quarter-cup serving and a whopping 53 grams of sugar! If you're looking to lower the sugar in this favorite weekend treat, here are some low-sugar options that also offer fiber, protein, and other nutrients.
Banana: Mash half a medium-size banana and spread that on your stack. It's only 53 calories and 7.2 grams of sugar but also offers over 200 milligrams of potassium.
Fresh berries: One cup of fresh raspberries has only 5.4 grams of sugar and 64 calories but a whopping eight grams of fiber.
Maple cinnamon yogurt: Whip up a batch of homemade maple-flavored yogurt by mixing together Greek yogurt, milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon. A quarter-cup serving is 38 calories and only 4.1 grams of sugar, but you'll also be getting almost five grams of protein.
Frozen pureed fruit: Throw one cup of frozen blueberries into the blender, and pour it on your pancakes. It is 13.1 grams of sugar, has 79 calories, and also offers 4.2 grams of fiber. To make your mornings easier, prefreeze pureed fruit in ice cube trays, and you can microwave a few cubes when you need them.
Almond butter: One tablespoon of creamy nutty almond butter spread on your pancakes has only one gram of sugar, 95 calories, and 3.5 grams of protein.
Want to wow friends and family with your breakfast skills? Surprise diners with a trio of pancakes served three ways. Start with a classic buttermilk pancake batter, then turn to our three different filling suggestions for a stack of flapjacks sure to suit any whimsy. Banana walnut re-creates the comfort of nostalgic baked goods; mini chocolate chip pancakes are a universal childhood favorite; blueberry ricotta offers a grown-up, gourmet twist on the standard. Watch the recipe to see how they're made.
Perfectly coddled eggs and ham on an English muffin: what's not to like? Although a grand breakfast like eggs Benedict might usually be reserved for weekends, we've happened upon National Eggs Benedict Day, so there's no excuse not to eat the country's favorite brunch item at just about any hour today.
Before you get started poaching your own eggs, however, take a look at the variations you might want to take on for this American classic.
What's your favorite twist on eggs Benny — or do you prefer the tried-and-true classic?
Get your day off on the right foot with a batch of from-scratch classic buttermilk pancakes that are so fluffy, you'll never want to buy pancake mix again. Follow host Brandi Milloy as she demonstrates just how easy it is to whip together and offers some pancake dos (turn on your oven!) as well as some don'ts (press down with a spatula). We promise it's so much better than the boxed stuff! Print out the recipe now.
Arguably the most delicious way to revive stale bread is french toast. Simpler than pancakes, french toast can be ready in less than 20 minutes and is an easy way to feed a house full of people.
The bread soaks in a batter consisting mainly of milk and eggs. Then the drenched pieces are thrown on a skillet to sear on each side, which results in a custardy interior and toasted exterior.
The actual french toast is minimally sweetened; let each person customize his or her own with fresh berries, maple syrup, and powdered sugar. Keep reading to see the french toast recipe.
Once you've mastered the classic French omelet, take it to the next level with two customizable egg dishes: a fold-over, filled omelet and an oven-baked frittata.
Turn to the fold-over omelet for a meal that comes together in mere minutes. Food host Brandi Milloy shows you how to construct a festive Spring vegetable fold-over version with asparagus, bright-green basil pesto, and fresh goat cheese. If you're looking for a heartier bite, then try another spin-off of the classic: the oven-baked frittata, which is made by sautéing bacon and aromatics in a cast-iron skillet, then sprinkling the dish with cheddar and popping it into the oven to finish.
The best part about these techniques? They open the door to infinite fillings, from vegetables to meats to cheeses and even seafood. Watch our video to get started.
Nothing beats a Sunday brunch — except sometimes the calories! The drinks alone can add up fast, turning a simple meal into a feast. While this is OK on occasion, we're always trying to find ways to make classic favorites healthier. Because most spirits average around 120 calories in a typical pour, adding fruit and veggie juice to the mix can quickly add up. Although we can't make these drinks calorie-free (we wish!), here are ways to shake things up with a healthy twist.
Mimosas
Source: Flickr user sbolignesi
A brunch favorite, a classic mimosa consists of orange juice and champagne. Compared to most cocktails, mimosas are a rather healthy option at 75 calories. To make sure the drink stays under 100 calories, make your own and opt for fresh-squeezed juice with no sugar added. You can also try switching up your juice options, too. Since grapefruit juice is lower in calories, this grapefruit mimosa is a healthy option. Lastly, when it comes to mimosas, remember a champagne flute is not a bottomless pint glass.
Bloody Marys
Source: Flickr user WhitneyAnderson
Blood Marys can easily become the highest-calorie-count cocktail of the bunch; some renditions run over 400 calories. If you're not willing to give them up, then a few healthy swaps — like using soju instead of vodka — can help your cause. First and foremost, make your own tomato juice, or look for one in the store with no added sugar and a low sodium content. You can also pile on the veggies and add a protein for garnish — instant salad!
Learn how to make a healthier bellini after the break!
