Host This Easter with Ease & Make-Ahead Options

One of the most challenging things in hosting is deciding on a Menu. I want to take that challenge out of the equation for you this Easter. I’ve assembled a delicious assortment of BRUNCH items that pair well together. Brunch is the best because it is more affordable than a larger dinner and much of it can be prepared ahead of time. You can adjust the items served, as well as servings depending on whether you’re serving a crowd or just a few guests. Links/menu are included for easy instructions! Much of it can be made ahead!

STARTERS

I like to have starters on hand when folks are coming over. This allows hungry people to fill their bellies while the final preparations are being made. Arrange your starters apart from your entrees, along with cute paper plates and napkins for easy clean up. Guests can help themselves while mixing and mingling. These two starters are easy and delicious!

Whipped Feta with Honey

Whipped Feta with Honey Dip from Southern Discourse looks amazing, doesn’t it? Pair with Pita bread, crackers and anything else your heart desires.

Pimento Cheese Spread

I worked long and hard on this recipe for a couple years. Many Pimento recipes call for cream cheese. I prefer just Duke’s Mayo (and only Duke’s). My family loves this stuff and it will be gone before Easter Brunch is served!

  • 12 oz jar pimentos
  • 4 oz Vermont White Cheddar
  • 4 oz Sharp Cheddar
  • 1/3 cup Dukes Mayo
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh onion
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire

In a bowl, mix together pimentos and half jar of pimento juice with mayo, worcestershire and grated onion. Grate both cheese into the sauce and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill in fridge before serving with vegetable slices (carrots, cucumbers & celery) and pretzel thins.

ENTREES

Crustless Quiche

Well Plated serves up this gorgeous Crustless Quiche that makes the Brunch Life worth living 😉 It’s totally customizable, so include your family’s favorite meat and veggie options or make a couple of different flavors. My favorite ingredient? The Gruyère cheese!

Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders

CONFESSION TIME: I don’t love serving HAM every Easter. I’m sorta over it, to be honest. There’s always leftovers and that get thrown out. BUT my family loves ham and cheese sliders for Easter, believe it or not. These are often requested for Easter, in fact. Try these Ham & Cheese Sliders by My Baking Addiction. They easily come together and can be doubled for a bigger crowd!

Spring Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

I wanted something a little different from the standard Strawberry/Feta Spring mix we often do. This Spring Salad sounds so yummy with Jarlesberg cheese and an orange vinaigrette! You can swap out Jarelsberg with gouda or swiss.

Lemon Blueberry Scones

Your Easter–or Life– will never be the same after you’ve made my most favorite scone recipe ever. I took a long time to create these crispy-on-the-outside-tender-on-the-inside-and-bursting-with-flavor-scones!

  • Oven 425
  • 2 cups flour (I prefer King Arthur for best results)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • Stir dry ingredients together
  • Add: 3/4 cup fresh blueberries, rinsed, and prepped in a bowl with 2 tbsp flour to dry juices
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • Sugar for sprinkling
  • In a glass measuring cup: 2 capfuls of lemon extract or lemon oil & 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • Stir together and add to dry ingredients with a fork until a round takes shape
  • Pick up with hands (batter will be wet) and form a ball on greased pan
  • Add some flour on hands to form. If too dry, add a little more heavy cream
  • Shape into 1 1/2″ round on pan and score into eight pie-shaped pieces, pull pieces apart to bake
  • Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar before baking
  • Bake 12-15 min
  • If preferred, you can make a lemon drizzle by mixing 2 tbsp of powdered sugar, lemon extract/oil (to taste) and several teaspoons of heavy cream

I hope this helps ease things in your planning! Happy Easter, my friends!