Spring Brunch Recipes
Everybody loves brunch, so welcome spring by creating a menu with these stylish offerings such as French toast, crab cakes, stratas, muffins, and coffee cake.
Eggs in a Garden Breakfast Tart
Eggs in a Garden Breakfast Tart Recipe
Thanks to ever-handy, store-bought puff pastry, this stunning savory tart is shockingly easy to make. The flakey puff pastry crust cradles 8 over easy eggs, surrounded with vibrant spring vegetables (thus, the recipe’s name). What you have here is an incredibly impressive option for your next brunch gathering. Serve with a side of roasted red potatoes or fresh fruit for a complete meal that’s sure to wow.
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Open-Face Matzo Brei Breakfast Sandwiches
Open-Face Matzo Brei Breakfast Sandwiches Recipe
Matzo brei, a traditional dish made by folding soaked matzo into scrambled eggs, makes the perfect base for a delicious, protein-packed breakfast stack. Just spread with softened cream cheese, then top with smoked salmon, thinly sliced red onion, capers, and fresh dill... you'll be well on your way to brunch happiness.
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Saucy Skillet-Poached Eggs
Saucy Skillet-Poached Eggs Recipe
If you've ever had Italian eggs in purgatory, this recipe makes a similar Israeli breakfast dish called shakshuka. If you need to stretch the meal, simply add another egg to the pan. Top with any herb, such as cilantro, chives, or oregano.
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Fluffiest Multigrain Pancakes with Almond Butter Drizzle
Fluffiest Multigrain Pancakes with Almond Butter Drizzle Recipe
Get ready; this will become your new Sunday morning staple. These pancakes are wonderfully hearty, thanks to old-fashioned oats and white whole-wheat flour, yet their texture is still fluffy and light, with a beguiling creaminess in the middle. Instead of dousing this short stack with syrup, we opt instead for a nutty sauce of maple-sweetened almond butter--cutting about 27g added sugars from the typical pancake breakfast. (Feel free to sub any nut butter you have on hand.) Soaking the oats first softens them and helps create that creamy interior texture. As they soak, you can make the almond butter sauce and measure out the other ingredients.
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Triple-Berry Muffins
Here's a breakfast muffin you don't have to feel bad about. We opted for canola oil over butter, incorporated 50% white whole-wheat flour, and kept the added sugar low by leaning on the sweetness of ripe summer strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Peaches will be a welcome addition later in the season.
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Kale and Mushroom Frittata
Kale and Mushroom Frittata Recipe
Half the pleasure of a frittata is just saying it. Go ahead. Free-tah-tah. For molto fun, say it Italian-style: Stress the first syllable and roll the r. Fr-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-ee-tah-tah. Brava, bella. A cast-iron or carbon-steel pan is best here because it goes under the broiler, and high heat could damage nonstick skillets. Handy advice: If you set out to make an omelet but your pan won’t release the eggs and they stick to the bottom, just spread out the fillings, pop it under the broiler, and presto! Frittata. You can easily make this dish for 2 or 4 people using a larger pan and multiplying ingredients accordingly.
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Chicken and Waffles with Kicky Syrup
Chicken and Waffles with Kicky Syrup Recipe
If ever a breakfast meets dinner combo were to go viral, chicken and waffles would be it. The mash-up actually dates back a couple hundred years, and we can guess why—the sweet, crunchy, and salty trio must have been just as crave-worthy then as it is now. We skip the deep fry and intsead bake chicken breast cutlets with a super-crunchy cereal and panko crust. Lean, boneless chicken and multigrain frozen waffles also save time. To top it off, a bit of Sriracha and soy sauce adds spicy, savory depth to a maple syrup drizzle.
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Dutch Baby with Strawberries and Pistachios
Dutch Baby with Strawberries and Pistachios Recipe
The key to the dish’s dramatic puff comes from oven spring—the jolt of heat and steam the batter gets when it’s poured into a sizzling hot pan and placed in a cranked-up oven. The butter browns instantly when it’s added to the pan, but pouring in the batter right away keeps it from burning, and the brown butter lends rich nuttiness to the batter. Make the strawberry topping first so the fruit has time to macerate and release some of its juice to form a loose sauce. The finished Dutch baby will deflate a little as it cools, though the texture remains airy and crisp outside, creamy and custardy within.
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Zucchini and Spinach Chilaquiles
Zucchini and Spinach Chilaquiles Recipe
This verde version of a Mexican brunch classic is the perfect introduction to summer. If you have time, try switching out canned tomatillos for fresh: Remove the papery husks from 8 ounces fresh tomatillos, toss with 1 tablespoon oil on a baking sheet, and broil 6 minutes or until lightly charred. Cool before processing. Queso fresco has the texture of strained ricotta—it won’t quite melt under the broiler, but its mild flavor will be a welcome contrast to the heat in the tomatillo mixture. Add scrambled eggs to each serving for a little extra protein.
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Creamy Baked Eggs with Herbs and Bacon
Creamy Baked Eggs with Herbs and Bacon Recipe
This hearty helping of sunny-side up eggs is a great way to say hello a fresh spring morning.
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Chocolate Buckwheat Waffles with Juicy Berries
Chocolate Buckwheat Waffles with Juicy Berries Recipe
The typical syrup-doused breakfast plate gets a healthy transformation with these lower-sugar, fruit-forward, gluten-free, whole-grain waffles.
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Veggie Eggy Scramble
We like the idea of incorporating veggies into the morning meal, and it's not hard or time-consuming to do.
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Golden Potato-and-Smoked Sausage Hash
Golden Potato-and-Smoked Sausage Hash Recipe
Make this hash even heartier by adding a fried egg on top.
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Crostini with Spinach, Poached Egg, and Creamy Mustard Sauce
Crostini with Spinach, Poached Egg, and Creamy Mustard Sauce Recipe
Low heat is the key to perfect poaching and silken eggs in this one-dish meal of Crostini with Spinach, Poached Egg, and Creamy Mustard Sauce.
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Grilled Asparagus with Fried Eggs and Pancetta
Grilled Asparagus with Fried Eggs and Pancetta Recipe
Asparagus and fried eggs are a classic springtime combo for good reason--they're delicious together. Medium-thick asparagus spears will char nicely outside while staying crisp-tender within.
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Veggie-and-Herb Frittata
Veggie-and-Herb Frittata Recipe
This frittata is chock full of good veggies and flavors that nearly burst out of the pan. Fresh crumbled goat cheese and shredded fontina cheese to bring out the perfect texture.
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Carrot Cake Pancakes
These cakey flapjacks feature warm spices and bright carrot flavor. Our lightened version calls for low-fat buttermilk and a small dab of honey butter.
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Breakfast Enchiladas
Remove eggs from stovetop while they're still a bit wet; they'll finish cooking in the oven. To make this a day ahead, go through Step 2; cover and chill the casserole. Let stand at room temperature about 20 minutes before baking.
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Buttermilk-Glazed Cherry Sheet Cake
Buttermilk-Glazed Cherry Sheet Cake Recipe
If you're ready to step up your brunch game, this beautiful cake will definitely do the trick. Serve with lots (and lots) of coffee.
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Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata
Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata Recipe
A hearty, rustic bread is the key to a great strata. Here, a ciabatta loaf is cubed, toasted and combined with a sautéed onion-mushroom mixture, then topped with Swiss cheese and bacon. This make-ahead dish is not only great for brunch–it's also ideal for a savory supper.
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Croissant French Toast With Fresh Strawberry Syrup
Croissant French Toast With Fresh Strawberry Syrup Recipe
If you've ever surprised mom with breakfast on her special day, you know how much she enjoys being pampered. Let her sleep in while you prepare this elegant take on classic French toast.
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Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade
Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade Recipe
Serve this sparkling lemonade as the perfect, thirst-quenching cocktail for your spring brunch. Elderflower liqueur is sweet, delicate, and floral, like nectar from a spring bouquet.
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Potato Hash
This great potato hash is a perfect addition to the brunch table.
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Bloody Mary Punch
No brunch is complete without a pitcher of hot and spicy Bloody Marys. This classic tomato juice cocktail never goes out of style.
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Eggs Benedict
The real kicker on this breakfast classic is the buttery, luscious hollandaise sauce. We lighten it up with a mixture of silken tofu and reduced-fat sour cream. When poaching eggs, choose the freshest possible; the white adheres to the yolk better, making for an easier, cleaner poach.
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Peter Rabbit
Thinly sliced carrot makes a wonderful garnish for this festive cocktail.
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Hot Chicken-and-Waffle Sandwiches with Chive Cream
Hot Chicken-and-Waffle Sandwiches with Chive Cream Recipe
We did a taste test and loved the just-fried tenders from the Publix grocery store deli.
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Bacon, Egg, and Kale Breakfast Salad
Bacon, Egg, and Kale Breakfast Salad Recipe
Based loosely on the flavors of a BLT, this salad is hearty and light at the same time. Don't worry if it feels like you don't have a lot of dressing; the luscious golden yolk makes a creamy sauce in the bowl.
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Caribbean Crab Cakes Benedict
Caribbean Crab Cakes Benedict Recipe
Instead of placing the poached egg on top of a slice of ham and an English muffin for a traditional Eggs Benedict, make crab cakes the base. Top with an island-inspired hollandaise sauce spiked with lime juice, ginger and red pepper.
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Stuffed French Toast
Start the day with a satisfyingly sweet main dish. This make-ahead version of French toast earns its high rating from the layers of cinnamon-raisin bread with a sweet cream cheese filling.
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Smoky Egg and Cheese Tostada
Smoky Egg and Cheese Tostada Recipe
This egg and cheese breakfast tostada cuts back on calories and sodium by using whole-grain corn tortillas instead of flour. Just top with this fun flavor combo and crunch. So healthy and delicious, you'll want two.
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Boysenberry Danishes
Even if you're a baking newbie, you can turn these out with ease, thanks to frozen puff pastry. To keep them from sticking, remove the pastries from the pan right after baking.
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Brunch Flatbread with Eggs, Bacon, and Frisée
Brunch Flatbread with Eggs, Bacon, and Frisée Recipe
Think of these flatbreads as individual breakfast pizzas, each topped with a baked egg, bacon, and fresh greens. This is definitely a dish that's out-of-the ordinary, yet features familiar breakfast ingredients.
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Spring Gin Punch
A simple formula makes perfect punch every time.
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Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole
Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole Recipe
In the South, cheese grits are so popular that it might be considered bad manners not to serve them at brunch. This is the perfect side dish for any brunch entrée.
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Blood Orange Mimosas
We love the color blood oranges give this classic brunch cocktail. A dash of bitters adds depth. Look for orange bitters--such as Fee Brothers or Stirrings--at liquor stores or specialty grocers. The sugar cube dissolves as you sip, balancing the bitters and giving off bubbles for a festive touch. Juice the oranges and keep chilled up to a day ahead.
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Sweet and Hot Pepper Open-Faced Egg Sandwiches
Sweet and Hot Pepper Open-Faced Egg Sandwiches Recipe
There's a great interplay of flavors here, with the tingly heat of cherry pepper and the sweetness of bell pepper and onion. For an even spicier dish, substitute 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño slices for the cherry pepper.
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Breakfast Shakshouka
To scoop up every bit of this spicy egg and tomato dish, popular in North Africa and Israel, we brushed slices of pain au levain with oil, then toasted them on a grill pan set on a camp stove. After breakfast, we cleaned the cast-iron skillet by scrubbing it with hot water and a nylon wash pad (no soap). We set it back on the stove to dry and wipe with a thin film of oil. For more: sunset.com/cleancastiron.
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Cheesy Bacon-and-Two-Onion Tart
Cheesy Bacon-and-Two-Onion Tart Recipe
The flaky crust here is a perfect accompaniment to any brunch spread or soup dish.
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Crouton and Cheese Omelet
Crouton and Cheese Omelet Recipe
Rye-bread croutons and nutty gruyère work well together for this dinner-worthy omelet, but you can use any combo of bread, cheese, and herbs you like.
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Soft-Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus
Soft-Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus Recipe
For perfect soft-scrambled eggs, cook slowly and stir often to form creamy curds. Use the thinnest asparagus you can find so it will become crisp-tender with gentle heat.
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Hash Brown Casserole
Hearty side dishes don't get much better than one starring hash brown potatoes, sour cream, and cheese. The buttery topping of cornflakes cereal guarantees its place at the breakfast table, but this is a casserole that can be served at any meal.
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Mushroom and Spinach Omelet
Mushroom and Spinach Omelet Recipe
A veggie-stuffed omelet makes for one easy, satisfying dinner when paired with a simple side salad. While the cooked spinach mixture sits, it may give off some more liquid; strain this off to keep the omelet from becoming watery.
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Sausage, Vegetable and Egg Scramble
Sausage, Vegetable and Egg Scramble Recipe
This sausage and vegetable scramble is a perfect hearty dish for any brunch spread.
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Tropical Fruit Salad
Balance your brunch menu with a refreshing and colorful fruit salad of papaya, pineapple, oranges, and kiwifruit. This one is sweetened with honey and topped with coconut, so it's practically dessert.
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Bananas Foster Upside-down Coffee Cake
Bananas Foster Upside-down Coffee Cake Recipe
Bananas Foster–a classic New Orleans brunch dish of rum-sautéed bananas–is turned into a decadently sweet coffee cake that is definitely in a class by itself. There won't be a morsel left when your brunch guests are gone.
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Raspberry-Almond Muffins
Raspberry-Almond Muffins Recipe
Round out your brunch menu with a plateful of fruited mini muffins. The secret ingredient in these sweet treats is almond paste, which is similar to marzipan, but slightly coarser and less sweet.
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Spring Hash with Eggs Sunny-Side Up
Spring Hash with Eggs Sunny-Side Up Recipe
A hash of potatoes and zucchini makes this spring dish a delectable way to enjoy the morning.
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Spring Vegetable Frittata
Spring Vegetable Frittata Recipe
"A frittata is a great brunch dish for entertaining because it makes for an effortless and beautiful family-style presentation."
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Root Vegetable Hash with Fried Eggs
Root Vegetable Hash with Fried Eggs Recipe
Top a pile of fresh fall vegetables with a fried egg to make this marvelous meatless dish.