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Healthy Brunch Recipes for Mother’s Day

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Celebrating your mother on her special day shouldn’t include crossing your fingers hoping you can get a table at a restaurant or standing in a long buffet line. Why not serve a healthy, flavorful brunch with classic recipes that mom will love in the comfort of your home? She’s worked hard all her life for you, now you treat her with an award-worthy, delicious meal! There is nothing that says “I love you” like a home-cooked meal.

Each one of the following recipes is tested and approved by fellow food bloggers (and I included a recipe of my own). The recipes are meant to be healthier than the usual carb-heavy buffet holiday meal. Scroll down to pick your favorite recipes!

If you’re someone who needs to feed a lot of people, then you will love making my Blackberry Belgian Waffles as a crowd-pleasing breakfast option. They’re easy to prepare! The deep pockets of warm waffle are just the vessels you need to hold melted butter, warm maple syrup, and a few extra blackberries. Grab the recipe.

Not of fan of waffles or don’t own a waffle maker? I’ve got you covered! Opt instead for yummy Brioche French Toast with Whipped Lemon Mascarpone from Windy City Dinner Fairy. Cinnamon and vanilla make this french toast mixture unique and scrumptious. Note: You’ll need a stand mixer or hand mixer for the mascarpone. Get the recipe.

Photo: Windy City Dinner Fairy

Enjoying a variety of textures and flavors makes for a well-rounded brunch so I never forget to include a green salad. Buy This Cook That’s Grilled Citrus Spring Salad is a mixture of asparagus, garden radishes, and sweet green peas tossed in homemade vinaigrette and topped with glazed pecans for garnish. Grab the recipe.

Photo: Buy This Cook That

For me, it’s not a classic breakfast without an egg dish on the menu. I love the idea of a make-ahead frittata that can be warmed up in the oven just as I’m setting the table. This Sun-Dried Tomato and Sweet Potato Frittata by Whole New Mom can be prepared in under 30 minutes and serves four people so double the recipe if necessary. Making a frittata is as easy as whisking together ingredients with eggs and baking until finished! Grab the recipe.

Photo: Whole New Mom

Incorporating finger foods like appetizers is great for pairing up with other breakfast foods! Maria Moore Nutrition’s Cheddar Chive Cauliflower Bites are a cinch to make using a muffin pan. If you have any leftovers (I doubt you will!) you can store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. Heck, why not send leftovers home with mom? Grab the recipe.

Photo: Marisa Monroe Nutrition

Your mom deserves an honorary toast on Mother’s Day so raise a glass of Strawberry Lemon Rose Sangría by The Toasty Kitchen! A batch recipe can be made several hours in advance (that’s if you can resist drinking it!). Who doesn’t love a glass of gorgeous bubbly? Get the recipe.


Photo: The Toasty Kitchen

Let’s end Mother’s Day on a delicious high note with dessert, but one that continues with the healthy theme we’ve established for brunch. I appreciate ending a full meal with a light dessert like this Honey Lemon Fruit Salad Recipe from The Seasoned Mom. Simple syrup glazes over fresh berries in this recipe bursting with citrus flavor. Get the recipe.

Photo: The Seasoned Mom

I’m so happy to help you pull recipes together for Mother’s Day with help of my food blogging friends. I know you want to not only spoil your mom but also impress her a bit, and these recipes lined up on the table will do just that for brunch! Enjoy the moment with your mom — she’s the best!

brunch-recipes

Easy to Make Baked Apple Slices

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Did you know that apples are a member of the rose family of plants, along with pears, peaches, plums, and cherries?

According to nyapplecountry.com, Americans eat more apples per capita than any other fruit. Why? Perhaps we know that they’re good for us. A medium-sized apple contains about 80 calories. They keep us feeling full, unlike other processed snack foods. Better yet, apples are fat-free, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free!

Clearly, I’m fascinated by the delightful qualities of apples. So much so that I tried my hand at baking apple slices this weekend. Initially, I wanted to make these bite-sized snacks to add to a copycat Panera Fuji Apple Salad (which I may still whip up), but yesterday’s chilly temperatures inspired me to add them to a bowl of warm oatmeal for breakfast. It was delicious!

My Easy to Make Baked Apple Slices make a great grab-and-go snack or a flavorful addition to salads, sandwiches, or even a bowl of ice cream. This recipe produces soft apple slices with crispy edges. I prefer to leave on the apple skin. Unlike other baked apple slices recipes online, I bake mine at a higher temperature for less time. Let me walk you through the simple steps to making apple slices.

After shooting this photo, I ended up adding natural peanut butter to my oatmeal bowl. It was a little thick, but oh so warm and delicious.
After shooting this photo, I ended up adding natural peanut butter to my oatmeal bowl. It was a little thick, but oh so warm and delicious.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. After washing each apple, remove its inside core using a melon baller. If you don’t have one, you can simply slice the apple in half and remove the core with a knife. Carefully use a mandolin slicer on the thin setting to slice each apple. Lay the apple slices on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle the apple slices with pumpkin spice.

No need to sprinkle pumpkin spice on the apple slices on both sides.
No need to sprinkle pumpkin spice on the apple slices on both sides. One side is enough.

Bake for 10 minutes. Flip the apple slices using tongs. (They will be soft, but that’s okay. We’re not making dehydrated apples.) Bake for another 10 minutes. Note: Small end pieces of apple may begin to burn so watch them closely in the later minutes of baking. Remove as necessary. Oven temperatures vary and these instructions are meant to produce still-soft apple slices, not hard chips.

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If you love apples as much as I do (ironic because I was once a teacher), then you’ll also enjoy my recipe for Salted Caramel Apple Martini  or Peanut-Butterscotch Apple Nachos. Have a super apple recipe for me to try, tag One Delightful Life on Twitter or add it to the comment section below. 

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Apple Cider Muffins with Walnuts and Warm Caramel Sauce Drizzle

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Is this recipe for breakfast or dessert? Who cares! Either way, Apple Cider Muffins with Walnuts and Warm Caramel Sauce Drizzle are whatever you want them to be because they’re that delicious.

As mentioned before, I’m not a from scratch baker. So I doctored up these muffins made from Martha White Apple Cider package mix with bits of fresh red apple, walnuts, and caramel sauce. Semi-homemade recipe cooks should feel any shame in their style of cooking because it’s practical and easy to do when you’re short on time.

Why make basic muffins when you can pull out all the stops and add seasonal baking ingredients to them? Have fun and try these topping swaps as well: butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips, crunchy peanut butter and sliced apple, oatmeal crumble topping or cream cheese vanilla frosting with almond slices. Don’t forget a warm cup of coffee to enjoy them with too.

apple-cider-muffins-with-walnuts-and-caramel-sauce-drizzle4Take boring baked goods to another level by adding interesting ingredients. Tag @OneDelightfulLife on Instagram and let me see how your yummy delights turn out!

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Ingredients

  • Muffin Mix:
  • 1 package Martha White Apple Cider Muffin Mix
  • 1/2 c. milk
  • 1/2 diced red apple
  • 1/8 c. chopped walnuts
  • Toppings:
  • chopped walnuts
  • 2 T. warm caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Mix apple muffin mixture ingredients.
  3. Spray a muffin tin with canola cooking spray.
  4. Pour muffin mix into six wells of the muffin tin.
  5. Bake 10-12 minutes on the middle rack.
  6. Remove from oven and allow to partially cool.
  7. Run a toothpick around each muffin to remove from pan, if necessary.
  8. Warm the caramel sauce in the microwave for 10 seconds.
  9. Top muffins with the rest of the walnuts and caramel sauce.
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https://onedelightfullife.com/apple-cider-muffins-with-walnuts/

Nutrition

Calories

360 cal

Fat

17 g

Carbs

44 g

Protein

10 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info


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Nutty Granola With Cranberries and Raisins

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Lately, I’ve wanted to make more of my food from scratch.

I have more time to cook since resigning from my full-time job and I care more about the food I eat. Do you cook things from scratch?

This morning I baked a batch of Nutty Granola with Cranberries and Raisins and let me tell you something…it was hard to not resist eating fresh from the oven. I nearly scorched my mouth gobbling up a spoonful of the oatmeal goodness. It’s easy to prepare and makes about two large mason jars.

I think more people would make granola if they realized how simple it is to prepare. You can use different mix-ins in this recipe (mine is always heavy on added fruit) like coconut, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and nuts. I kept this recipe simple and knocked back the sugar by eliminating brown sugar. Instead of incorporating cinnamon into it, I substituted pumpkin spice. It may be the end of summer, but my stomach is already thinking it’s fall!

Love this milk carrier? You can find more just like it at The Vintage Rhinestone. It could be used to display flowers or serve as a carrier for party drinks with pretty straws.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl using a wooden spoon.

Put all recipe ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Note: I took this picture before adding the wet ingredients.
Put all recipe ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Note: I took this picture before adding the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Transfer granola mixture to the baking sheet and evenly spread it out. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Move the granola around every 10 minutes.

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Step 4: Allow the granola to cool and serve with yogurt and fruit or as a cereal.

Smoothie bowls are uber trendy so try adding granola to your yogurt favorites.
Smoothie bowls are uber trendy so try adding granola to your yogurt favorites.

How do you prefer to eat your granola? Share a recipe suggestion in the comments section below! Have a delightful day.

Serves 2 large mason jars

Nutty Granola With Cranberries and Raisins

This naturally sweet and salty granola goes well in a smoothie bowl or as cereal for breakfast.

10 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

40 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 3 c. old fashion 100% whole grain oats
  • 1/2 c. dried cranberries
  • 1/4 c. raisins
  • 1/4 c. sliced almonds
  • 1/8 c. roasted and salted sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. pumpkin spice
  • 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
  • heavy pinch salt
  • 2 T. water
  • 2 T. honey
  • 1 T. vanilla
  • 1 T. maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.
  3. Transfer mixture to a parchment lined baking sheet.
  4. Level out mixture using the spoon.
  5. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Be sure to move the granola around a little bit every ten minutes or so until the time expires.
  6. Transfer to mason jars once cooled.

Notes

This is not a clumpy granola but a more loose variety.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/nutty-granola-with-cranberries-and-raisins/

Nutrition

Calories

1168 cal

Fat

15 g

Carbs

247 g

Protein

18 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

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Peanut Butter Banana Honey Overnight Oats

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Sometimes I wish I could come up with a genius invention to cash in on. For example, the person who invented the Post-It note is a total genius. I use those every day!  While I do get creative in the kitchen when it comes to recipes, I can’t claim the overnight oats idea. It’s a brilliant recipe that is incredibly simple to make and you can flavor it up any way you like with mix-ins. If you’ve got a mason jar and oatmeal, then you’re halfway there.

Peanut Butter Banana Honey Overnight Oats combines many of my favorite flavor combinations and includes heart-healthy ingredients. Many recipes for overnight oats call for chia seeds. I wasn’t going to drive all the way to the store just for fancy seeds and I think my recipe came out just as great or even better.

While I made a large batch of overnight oats, which I’ve eaten on for two mornings, you could make a half size mason jar for one serving. Simply layer the ingredients (see recipe card below), shake, and refrigerate overnight. Don’t be put off by the look of the mixture when you spy it in the refrigerator the next morning. It will taste delicious!

Open the jar and top it with your favorite flavors. You can use everything from dark chocolate to fruit. Let your imagination go wild as you enjoy a guilt-free, healthy breakfast.

Overnight oats are all about the layers and mix-ins and like a surprise in your refrigerator in the morning.
Overnight oats are all about the layers and mix-ins. Think of it like a lil’ breakfast surprise waiting in your refrigerator for you to enjoy.

The first time I read about “healthy fats” I thought it was an oxymoron. It turns out that healthy fats are r-e-a-l! Monounsaturated fats are actually good for your body and they have positive effects on your health. The nuts in this recipe contain protein, vitamins, and fiber.

Walnuts contain fatty acids which are good for heart health and peanuts have compounds that keep your cholesterol on the level. You can feel good about eating dark chocolate chips in your breakfast. A study noted in a 2014 article “Why is Dark Chocolate Good for You? Thank your Microbes” in Scientific American by Katherin Harmon, found that dark chocolate “improves vascular function and cardiovascular health in general.”

And what’s all the buzz about using honey in recipes? Honey is high in antibacterial properties and published studies confirm that a daily consumption of the liquid gold helps boost the memory of women experiencing menopause.

Ingredients

  • Overnight Oats Mixture:
  • 1/2 c. quick oats
  • 1/2 c. plain low-fat yogurt
  • 1/4 c. soy milk (vanilla flavor optional)
  • 1 T cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Mix-In Toppings:
  • 1 T. whole walnuts
  • 1 T. peanut butter
  • 1 T. dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 sliced banana
  • 1 tsp honey

Instructions

  1. Layer all ingredients in a mason or Bell jar starting with the oats.
  2. Secure the lid.
  3. Shake for 5 seconds.
  4. Refrigerate overnight.
  5. After the oats have refrigerated overnight, open the jar and top with sliced banana, walnuts, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, and a honey drizzle.

Notes

Use the One Delightful Life graphic to try other mix-in combinations.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/peanut-butter-banana-honey-overnight-oats/

Nutrition

Calories

1051 cal

Fat

80 g

Carbs

66 g

Protein

31 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

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Blackberry Belgian Waffles

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If you’re someone who hosts family or friends overnight at your house, then you will love making Blackberry Belgian Waffles as a crowd-pleasing breakfast option. I was so impressed with a friend’s beautiful breakfast plate during our last stay, I insisted we make them again.

The deep pockets of warm waffle are just the vessels you need to hold melted butter, warm maple syrup, and a few extra blackberries. Set out the prepared waffle mix, a choice of fruits and toppings, and let your guests make their own breakfast-hotel style!

Tip: Don’t overfill the waffle maker like I did and create a countertop mess. Yikes!

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Serves 8 waffles

Blackberry Belgian Waffles

Homemade, easy to prepare waffles are a crowd-pleasing breakfast option when hosting overnight house guests. Use your imagination when setting out topping choices.

10 minPrep Time

7 minCook Time

17 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • Waffle Mix:
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 c. milk
  • 2 T. white sugar
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 c. mashed blackberries
  • Toppings:
  • 1/4 c. maple syrup
  • whole black berries

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the eggs in a large bowl. Add remaining waffle mix ingredients until slightly lumpy.
  2. Allow the mix to sit in the bowl for five minutes prior to pouring it into a heated waffle iron.
  3. Use a measuring cup to scoop the mix and drizzle it evenly on to the waffle iron.
  4. (It will help to use a wooden spoon to spread the mix into the corners so that the waffles come out evenly shaped.)
  5. Shut the lid and let the waffles form for about 7 minutes until golden brown. (Appliances vary so take a peak to see if your waffles are finished.)
  6. Remove waffles from the waffle iron and immediately plate and serve with warmed maple syrup and whole blackberries.

Notes

You can substitute any other type of fruit for blackberries. A great tip, when serving guests, is to set out a waffle toppings bar including whipped cream, Nutella, coconut, peanut butter, jam, or sprinkles.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/belgian-waffles/

Nutrition

Calories

185 cal

Fat

2 g

Carbs

36 g

Protein

6 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

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