After the quiet reflection of Christ's sacrifice during Lent, we joyfully bring back the glorious "Alleluia" to celebrate His triumph over death through His Resurrection. Gathering your loved ones around the table for an Easter brunch is a wonderful way to honor this occasion and commemorate our redemption. Whether you're celebrating after the Easter Vigil or returning from Easter morning Mass, this brunch menu offers a delightful feast that's easy to prepare.
Curated with modern French-inspired recipes, the menu is designed to celebrate the salvation that Christ has brought us while keeping your hosting experience stress-free. To make it even more convenient, I’ve included a comprehensive grocery list, helpful tips for each recipe, and a timeline for planning and prepping.
Puff Pastry Croque Madame
An impressive yet incredibly quick Easter breakfast. Using puff pastry to make a decadent croque madame without the stress, simply top with ham and gruyere cheese, crack on an egg, and finish with chives for garnish – it doesn’t get much easier than this.
Tip: Make sure to thaw the puff pastry in the fridge the day before.
Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake
It’s hard not to love French toast, but this irresistible croissant French toast bake is studded with fruit preserves and topped with fresh berries and whipped cream. Serve with a healthy drizzle of maple syrup. This French toast bake will surely win over your heart.
Tip: This is an excellent make-ahead recipe to prep the night before.
Carrot salad with lemon vinaigrette
A bright and crunchy salad that embodies the freshness of spring. The perfect savory salad pairing for the Puff Pastry Croque Madames.
Tip: Shred the carrots and prep the vinaigrette in advance, and assemble just before serving so that the salad doesn’t get soggy.
Easter fruit tray or Resurrection cross fruit platter
Try these festive fruit platter ideas for your brunch soiree. The first recipe uses cookie cutters to make cute bunnies, flowers, and Easter eggs out of pineapple and watermelon. It is accompanied by a yogurt dip and chocolate candies (if you’re feeling a little extra). The next idea is to assemble orange slices (or cut fruit of your choice) into a cross surrounded by bundles of grapes, pineapple, and berries.
Tip: Assemble the fruit platter the night before, or let your kiddos put it together while the French toast and croque madames bake.
Easter strawberry tequila sunrise mimosa
Toast this Easter with a bubbly twist on a tequila sunrise. Complete with strawberry, orange juice, tequila, and topped with champagne or prosecco.
Tip: Make a mocktail version with sparkling white grape juice and leave out the tequila.
Grocery list
Dairy & eggs
Large eggs
Whole milk
Heavy cream
Cream cheese
Salted butter
Gruyère cheese
Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
Bakery & pastry
Grocery store bakery croissants (Costco and Sam’s Club are great)
Puff pastry sheets
Meat
Black forest ham
Produce
Fresh berries of choice (for French toast bake and fruit tray)
Additional strawberries (for mimosas)
Grapes
Melon (cantaloupe and/or honeydew)
Pineapple
Small watermelon
Lemons
Carrots
Fresh parsley
Scallions
Fresh chives
Pantry staples
Real maple syrup
Powdered sugar
Fruit preserves of choice
Vanilla extract
Cinnamon
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
Apple cider vinegar
Dijon mustard
Honey
Agave nectar (for cocktails, or substitute honey)
Beverages
Orange juice
Champagne or prosecco (and/or sparkling white grape juice if making mocktails)
Silver tequila
Optional
Chocolate Easter candies (for fruit tray if desired)
Shop + plan-ahead timeline
Holy Thursday or Friday
Finalize menu and guest count
Do a full grocery shop
Holy Saturday morning
Shop for any items you may have forgotten
Wash fruit and herbs
Grate carrots and store dry in the fridge
Cube cream cheese
Shred Gruyère
Holy Saturday afternoon
Assemble French toast bake (cover and refrigerate overnight)
Prep lemon vinaigrette (store sealed)
Chop fruit (except strawberries if very ripe)
Chill champagne/prosecco
Set the table, pull out the serving dishes
Easter morning
Bake French toast casserole
Bake Puff Pastry Croque Madames, fresh
Toss the carrot salad with the vinaigrette
Assemble fruit tray
Pour mimosas just before serving
I hope this Easter Brunch Menu gives you some inspiration for your Easter morning soiree, and that your Easter is filled with abundant joy, memories, and blessings.
Let us know if you’ll be using this Easter brun