Easter Brunch Ideas

Feyi Bello / Tuesday March 17, 2015

Easter Brunch Ideas

In my family, gathering for Easter Brunch is a pot-luck situation, and luckily, both my parents and in-laws are always happy to celebrate together. However, getting everyone together means being ready to feed a bigger crowd. Plus, I’m usually the one coordinating between my mother, sisters-in-law, and mother-in-law to make sure we don’t have two hams. We all love the Easter morning staples of hot cross buns, mimosas, eggs of some sort, and again, the ham. I’ve tried some slightly different dishes in the past, but combined with our traditional fare, there always tends to be some overlap.

I can't wait to see the rich flavor a coffee glaze brings to our favorite baked ham!
I can’t wait to see the rich flavor a coffee glaze brings to our favorite baked ham!

This year, I’ve rounded-up my favorite brunch recipes from my Pintrest Foods and Holiday boards to create an easy and fun Easter morning menu. Now everyone has something to bring and we end up with the perfect assortment of crowd-pleasing dishes. A slow cooked honey ham is always the centerpiece of our holiday menu, so this year I thought it would be fun to spice it up a bit. Coffee is another shared love among both sides of our family, so this Coffee Glazed Ham recipe from Woman’s Day is something I can’t wait to try!

Ruby red grapefruit should provide a refreshingly tart spin on the mimosa.
Ruby red grapefruit should provide a refreshingly tart spin on the mimosa.

Another drink we all love is mimosas. This brunch staple is always good, but I thought it could use a fresh update. When I found this recipe for Ruby Red Champagne Punch from Host the Toast, I knew it would be the perfect accompaniment to our rich ham and sweet dishes. Grapefruit and mint make this twist on the traditional mimosa a tart and refreshing treat that I’m sure everyone will love.

I know this tasty appetizer will be the first thing gone!
I know this tasty appetizer will be the first thing gone!

Deviled eggs are a great way to use all of those hard boiled eggs we’ve dyed, and my mom is always the one to provide them. She’s tried lots of variations in the past, but nothing quite like these Avocado Deviled Eggs from CakesCottage. The addition of avocado should enhance that creamy texture we love and make the dish more colorful, too. I’m pretty sure this will be the first empty plate!

I love the use of springy apricots to update traditional hot cross buns.
I love the use of springy apricots to update traditional hot cross buns.

Other than our beloved ham, possibly the most timeless Easter staple is hot cross buns. Both my husband and sister-in-law aren’t huge raisin fans, so we often end up with both hot cross buns and good old cinnamon rolls. For a lovely seasonal twist on the those classic hot cross buns, I thought this Apricot-Raisin Hot Cross Buns recipe from Better Homes and Gardens would fit the bill with the raisins swapped out for currants or cranberries.

Grits are always a crowd-pleaser and this creamy, cheesy dish is made for brunch.
Grits are always a crowd-pleaser and this creamy, cheesy dish is made for brunch.

As for our side dishes, I wanted one hot and one cold that would compliment our unique coffee glazed ham. Having spent four years growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, I love all Southern food, and find recreating my favorite dishes is much easier than finding a restaurant in Southern California that can do them justice. This Cheesy Grits Souffle from Southern Living looks divine and I know everyone in the family will gobble it up.

Fresh spring veggies add some much-needed greens to this holiday feast!
Fresh spring veggies add some much-needed greens to this holiday feast!

My mom and myself are the healthiest eaters in the entire family, and it’s important to me to have a substantial amount of fruits or veggies in every meal. With lots of rich dishes, this cool Spring Vegetable Salad from Hallmark Recipes seemed like just the right contrast.

Macaroons with lemon curd and jelly bean eggs? Sign us up!
Macaroons with lemon curd and jelly bean eggs? Sign us up!

I wanted our dessert to be on the lighter side as well, and I love to make festive sweets. These Lemon Coconut Macaroon Nests from Two Peas and Their Pod are light and just sweet enough to make the perfect finish to our holiday meal.