Celebrate spring with these 12 brunch recipes

Hosting a brunch this spring? Whether you're having a few friends over or the whole extended family, we've gathered together some of our fave brunch recipes that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Hosting a brunch this spring? Whether you’re having a few friends over on the weekend or the whole extended family is coming by for Easter, we’ve gathered together some of our fave brunch recipes that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Yummy twists on family favourites:

We’re regularly craving classic brunch dishes, from eggs and bacon, to fluffy pancakes. If your guests love the standards, too, try some of our creative twists on traditional recipes! These egg & toast tartlets from Claire Tansey are a fun way to eat your omega-3s, and they pair perfectly with her maple-fennel bacon.

For the pancake lovers, why not try adding cocoa powder to make these chocolate pancakes with strawberry sauce? Mairlyn Smith sure knows how to make a dish that appeals to the chocoholics in the house (and it uses whole wheat flour to boost up the nutritional value, too!).

If you want to sneak some vitamin-rich veggies into a super easy brunch dish, this sweet potato French toast from Ceri Marsh and Laura Keogh is exactly what you’re looking for. Cut it into easily-dippable strips and your kids will gobble this up instantly!

Fancy dishes to impress your guests:

Want to really wow your guests? Whether you’re looking for a savoury dish or a sweet one, brunch is one of our favourite times to experiment with more intricate recipes — or recipes that seem really impressive, but aren’t actually too complex to put together! This goat cheese soufflé with smoked salmon from Claire Tansey is a perfect example of a dish that looks way more difficult than it actually is. You don’t have to be a trained chef to make your own soufflé!

Think you can only poach your eggs in water? Think again! Our chefs have two elegant alternatives for you. Adults will love these Chardonnay-poached eggs from Jason Parsons, while the whole family will drool over Randy Feltis’ maple syrup-poached eggs served over stuffed French toast!

Not much of an egg fanatic? Switch out your eggs for seafood in this scallops Benedict from Jason Parsons!

If you’re looking for something sweet, look no further than this homemade crepe recipe with macerated berries. These crepes are easy to personalize with your fave ingredients, and we especially love them with fresh, mixed berries.

Make-ahead meals:

If you want to get some extra zzz’s before your guests arrive, why not make your entrée the night before? This asparagus and cheese strata from Mairlyn Smith needs to rest in the fridge for at least 8 hours before you serve it, so that the bread can soak up all of the delicious egg mixture.

Tarts are a great make-ahead option and we love the seasonal flavours in this spring onion & goat cheese tart. You can also make this recipe even easier by using pre-baked pie shells instead of puff pastry.

We love a good quiche, and this crustless mushroom and broccoli quiche from Dr. Joey Shulman is a yummy, healthier option! Serve this with a side salad or fresh fruit for a lighter meal.

What’s your go-to brunch recipe? Share your faves in the comments!

Photo credit: Roberto Caruso