Grandma’s Guide to a Memorable Easter Brunch with the Grandkids

If your family is anything like mine, you get together every Easter to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection and enjoy each other’s company. While there is no wrong way to celebrate this wonderful day, my crew prefers a lovely Easter brunch after church (and before the grandkids’ big Easter egg hunt!), complete with delicious breakfast foods and tasty mimosas for the adults. Here are a few of my favorite tried and true recipes and tips for hosting a memorable Easter brunch with your grandkids (and their parents, I guess, hehe).

Grandchild-approved brunch recipes

One of the many great things about brunch is that everyone loves breakfast foods, which are easy to prepare. Based on past Easters (and overnight stays at grandma’s house), these are a few of my grandkids’ favorite Easter brunch items:

Resurrection Rolls

(Resurrection Rolls are a sweet and symbolic treat that represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ during Easter. They are made using marshmallows wrapped in crescent roll dough, which “disappears” during baking, leaving an empty roll to represent the empty tomb.)

Ingredients:

• 1 package (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 8 large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
3. Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles.
4. Take a marshmallow, dip it in the melted butter, and then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, making sure it is well-coated.
5. Place the coated marshmallow onto the wide end of a crescent triangle. Fold the sides over the marshmallow and then roll it up towards the tip, making sure to seal the edges well so the marshmallow is completely enclosed.
6. Repeat this process for the remaining marshmallows and crescent roll triangles.
7. Place the rolls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Brush the tops of the rolls with any remaining melted butter and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
10. Allow the rolls to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Bunny Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Whipped cream
• Fresh fruits (bananas, blueberries, or strawberries)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix flour, milk, egg, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, and salt until smooth.
2. Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
3. Pour about 1/4 cup batter for the bunny’s face and two smaller amounts for the ears.
4. Cook until bubbles form, then flip and cook until golden brown.
5. Assemble the bunny face using whipped cream and fruits.
6. Serve with maple syrup.

Mini Egg Frittatas

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)
• 1/2 cup diced vegetables (bell peppers, onions, spinach)
• 1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon or sausage
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Stir in cheese, vegetables, and bacon or sausage.
4. Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the eggs are set.
6. Cool slightly and serve.

Easter Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups strawberries, halved
• 2 cups green grapes
• 2 cups pineapple chunks
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons lime juice

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine strawberries, grapes, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey and lime juice.
3. Pour the honey-lime dressing over the fruit and gently toss to coat.
4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Ham and Cheese Crescent Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 package (8 ounces) of refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 8 slices deli ham
• 8 slices cheese (cheddar or Swiss)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Unroll the crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles.
3. Place a slice of ham and cheese on each triangle.
4. Roll up the crescents, starting from the wide end and working towards the tip.
5. Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. Serve warm.

Easter Bunny Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups frozen mixed berries
• 1 banana
• 1 cup milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine mixed berries, banana, milk, yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into glasses and serve with a colorful straw.

Rainbow Fruit Skewers

Ingredients:

• Strawberries
• Mandarin oranges
• Pineapple chunks
• Green grapes
• Blueberries
• Blackberries

Instructions:

1. Prepare wooden skewers by soaking them in water for 20 minutes to prevent splintering.
2. Wash and dry all the fruits.
3. Thread the fruits onto the skewers in the following order: strawberry, mandarin orange, pineapple chunk, green grape, blueberry, and blackberry.
4. Arrange the fruit skewers on a serving platter to form a rainbow.
5. Serve with a yogurt or chocolate dipping sauce if desired.

Making Easter brunch even more special for the grandkids 

One of the many beautiful things about children is that they find even the littlest things delightful! That said, just being at grandma’s with their family is usually a treat, but I like to add other fun touches to make the day even more memorable, like:

• Serve the kids’ orange juice (or whatever they’re drinking) in a “fancy” plastic champagne flute 
• Colorful plates and napkins (paper or plastic plates work just fine!)
• Name cards written or printed on a pretty spring-inspired paper 
• If you have a kid’s table, line it with a roll of paper and set out markers, crayons, or colored pencils 
• Easter coloring pages at the table
• Place a cute Easter-themed stuffed animal at their seat (you can find these at your local dollar store)
• Fun and springy centerpieces

There you have it: My favorite ways to have an amazing Easter brunch with my grandkids! From one Devoted Grandma to another, I pray that you have a beautiful day with your family. Jesus Christ is risen today – Hallelujah!