Did you forget that Mother’s Day is on May 10th. this year? Can’t get reservations to her favorite brunch spot? No worries! DIY your own brunch buffet for Mom, Grandma, Aunties, and all the Moms in your life. It will not only be more cost effective than those fancy Mother’s Day brunches at a hotel or restaurant, it will be extra special too!
You don’t have to limit yourself to just taking Mom out you can invite her friends and family as well for a nice brunch and a great time.
The menu can be as simple as bagels and donuts or as fancy as a you like; you can have pancake, waffle, and crepe stations along with Mimosa or Bloody Mary bars. You can tailor it to fit your budget and your Mom’s preferences. The important thing is you did it for Mom so she and her friends and family can get together for a memorable time.
Here are some ideas and recipes to inspire you. Go ahead make her day!
Choose your buffet style:
You can choose what type of buffet you want to set up from an intimate get together with just close family or a lavish champagne brunch spread for Mom and all her cohorts.
A Pink & Orange Bagel Bar by Giggles Galore. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
An Eggo Waffle Bar by Mammamoiselle. No cooking involved! [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Another no cook option from Hostess with the Mostess is a Yogurt Bar! [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
For something a bit fancier here’s a Crepe Bar from Your Home Based Mom. Click here for recipes! [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Or go all out with this Champagne Brunch idea from Catch My Party!
Don’t forget the beverages! Here’s a great idea for a Mimosa Bar from Smarty had a Party. You may want to add sparking grape juice as a non-alcoholic option for guests who choose not to imbibe.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Or a Bloody Mary Bar from Four and Know More. Guests can choose to add the Vodka, or not.
Also include a hot beverage bar or station.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
And of course no buffet would be complete without a dessert station. Here’s a sweet idea I found on Pinterest re-purposing an old dresser.
What to serve?
The menu is the next step. It would depend on your budget and kitchen skills. You can host a brunch buffet without busting the bank and without any culinary ability, it just takes planning!
Sure fire buffet hits with no cooking required would be: Eggo or frozen pancake bars, Cereal bars, yogurt bars, fresh fruit stations, pastry tables, and bagel bars.
Hit up your local Costco or Sam’s club or your favorite supermarket to buy everything you need. You don’t even have to cut the fruit, you can buy a fruit tray. Just be sure you have a pretty toaster or two on hand for guests to use.
You don’t have to limit yourself to one type of bar you can mix and match to create a buffet that has two or more stations; DIY Waffles, yogurt bar with fresh fruit and granola for toppings, and a beverage station for example.
If you want to cook reduce the stress and include menu items that can be cooked or prepped in advance; unless you’re a seasoned short order cook making cook to order eggs for each of your guests can make you frantic. So think quiches, casseroles, and baked goods!
Try this overnight Creme Brulee French toast from Carlsbad Cravings. I made it for my family’s Christmas brunch last year, it was wonderful. You prep it the night before and pop it in the oven half an hour before serving.
Click here for recipe!
Another family brunch favorite is Chile Relleno Torta, I recipe I found years ago in Diane Mott Davidson’s book “Dying for Chocolate”. It’s basically a crustless quiche with a bit of a bite from the picante sauce on top. I prep everything the night before and pop it in the oven a half hour or so before serving. I serve it with a basket of warm tortillas and bowls of sour cream and guacamole. My kids and grandkids expect this every year for Christmas brunch.
Click here for recipe!
For something heartier try this Ham & Cheese Breakfast Bake from Country Cleaver.
Click here for recipe!
You can make this Yogurt Coffee Cake by Chef in Training the day before, it would make a yummy centerpiece for your dessert station.
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Make these Frosted Orange Buns by Kitchen Sanctuary the day before, it’s sure to be a hit!
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This Strawberry & Coconut Breakfast Casserole from Simply Stacie is another make ahead option.
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Add this Overnight Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal by Thrifty Jinxy to a cereal bar as a hot alternative. Guests can serve themselves directly from the crockpot.
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You can make these breakfast sandwiches by Jamie Cooks It Up the night before and pop them in the oven in the morning.
Click here for recipes!
What are your favorite brunch recipes? I’d love to know![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Decorate?
Whether you’re serving a simple buffet or and elaborate one don’t forget to add the final touch to your tables! Decorate!
Even if you’re dessert tables is just filled with store bought cupcakes, it will look more festive plated on a pretty cake stand and decorated with pretty cupcake wrappers and toppers.
Flowers in mason jars and vases are another good way to make the house look festive. Balloons, ribbons, tissue pom-poms are inexpensive ways to decorate for any event.
Using pretty plates, even paper ones help add color and fun to any gathering. Add interest to your buffet table by plating food in pretty trays, stands, and jars of varying height.
Check out these free Mother’s Day Printables from The Girl Creative click here!
Make your own cake stands from dollar store finds! Learn how here!
