5 Tips for a Better Brunch

Brierley Horton, M.S., RD is a dietitian nutritionist, content creator and strategist, and avid mental health advocate. She is co-host and co-creator of the Happy Eating podcast, which breaks down the connection between food and mental wellness.

I always approach Mother’s Day with a little trepidation. If I’ve learned one thing over the past decade-plus of mothering, it’s this: keep your expectations in check. After a handful of Mother’s Day flops, I’ve honed in on a single approach to that Sunday in May: choose activities that bring me joy and are inclusive of my daughters. There’s no guessing about what makes me feel appreciated, there’s a lot less bickering throughout the day, and the time we do spend all together is quality time—because, yes, I do escape for some solo time. First things first: Dinner is always takeout—because the last thing I want to do on Mother’s Day is make a dinner that someone will inevitably complain about. I always sneak in some solo time, even if it’s just a nap. And brunch, which I like to make, is how we kick off the day!

Also, brunch isn’t just for Mother’s Day! It’s great for any “holiday” really, like a birthday, New Year’s, or just a special occasion. Brunches are the best meals for celebrating togetherness with a side of lounging.

When I’m putting together brunch—be it for just the three of us (me and my girls) or a larger crowd—how I structure my menu is always the same. It goes like this:  

1. Something old—aka a family favorite or tradition.
2. Something new, which means a new-to-me recipe to try for a little fun experimentation.
3. Something tried-and-true so that everyone eating leaves the table feeling satisfied.
4. And something colorful because, well, I’m a dietitian and color almost always equals healthier. 
   

And on Mother’s Day, I always ensure the menu includes something I love. That’s scones—they are my favorite baked good and I only serve them on a holiday like Mother’s Day because they’re not a household favorite. But this is “my day” so no one complains for once! Better yet, these Blueberry Scones are a great make-ahead option. Don’t skimp on the Cabot butter and sweet icing. 

For my “something old,” a truly indulgent Brunch Charcuterie Board, or “snack tray” as we call them in our house, always appeals to my crew. This is our family favorite—and when we include others, guests always find themselves a favorite bite. My go-tos are a colorful and tasty arrangement of cheese, lots of fresh and dried fruit, nuts, and when it comes to brunch offerings, other breakfast favorites like mini pancakes or crispy bacon. This charcuterie board also hits point number four—something colorful! I always like to try something new for Mother’s Day brunch. This year I’m leaning into these Strawberry Shortcake Yogurt Parfaits—a fun, cute dish that can be assembled and refrigerated ahead of time so that I can put a little extra time into those scones. Use either Cabot's Plain Greek Yogurt or Triple Cream Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt for an extra indulgent brunch option.And last, but not least, I need something tried-and-true so that everyone leaves the table feeling full and satisfied. My favorite is a spread of deconstructed Salmon & Cream Cheese Bagel Sandwiches. This way you can build your bagel however you choose. Maybe it’s as simple as a bagel with Cabot Butter or Cream Cheese, or it’s an overflowing, beautiful, robust Salmon bagel with all the fixings. Or, as one of my daughters likes to do, just put a few pieces of smoked salmon on her plate and eat them plain. But if eggs are more your style for a brunch menu, let me recommend this Sheet Pan Frittata. It’s delicious exactly as the recipe instructs you to make it, but it’s also flexible enough that you could swap out any of the ingredients that you dislike. Don’t feel like you have to replicate my menu exactly. Browse our collection of Breakfast and Brunch recipes and build your own Mother’s Day menu!