The Best Mother’s Day Recipes (Brunch, Dinner & Desserts)

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Mother’s Day deserves more than a last-minute plan. Whether you are pulling off a Mother’s Day brunch, setting the table for a special dinner, or finishing the meal with a dessert she will talk about for weeks, this collection has everything you need to make the day feel as thoughtful as she deserves. No restaurant reservations required.

Special Brunch Recipes

There is nothing quite like a Mother’s Day brunch spread that feels special without requiring a culinary degree. These recipes are beautiful, delicious, and totally doable whether you are cooking solo or putting the kids to work in the kitchen.

French Toast

Thick, golden, and custardy with a perfectly crisp edge.

Buttermilk Pancakes

Fluffy, tender pancakes with that classic tangy buttermilk flavor.

a photo of a golden liege waffle in a brown cardboard carton topped with nutella, sliced strawberries and bananas and whipped cream

Leige Waffles

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and made for toppings.

a photo of a white bowl with a spoon sitting next it. The bowl has two square pieces of baked oatmeal topped with fresh mixed berries all sitting in creamy whole milk.

Creme Brûlée Baked Oatmeal

Creamy, indulgent baked oatmeal with a caramelized creme brûlée twist.

Cottage Cheese Egg Bake

Protein-packed, creamy, and the easiest savory breakfast to throw together.

Chocolate Chip Protein Mug Cake

A quick, chocolatey mug cake that’s easy, but elevated.

a photo of a single cinnamon roll topped with a creamy white frosting sitting on a small dessert plate with a silver fork in the foreground.

Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, pillowy rolls swirled with cinnamon and topped with a generous drizzle of frosting.

Crepes

Delicate and endlessly versatile for sweet or savory fillings.

Coffee Cake

Buttery cake with cinnamon streusel made for a slow morning celebration.

Sausage and Egg Soufflé

Savory soufflé loaded with sausage and egg for a breakfast worth celebrating.

Light & Fresh Dishes

Keep things light and bright with these fresh Mother’s Day recipes that are just as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect as a Mother’s Day lunch, a side to round out your brunch spread, or anything in between.

a glass bowl full of chopped up tropical fruit coated in a poppy seed honey lime dressing.

Fruit Salad

Fresh and colorful for any Mother’s Day spread.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

flavorful chicken salad piled onto soft bread.

Caprese Salad

Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.

Greek Pasta Salad

Loaded with crisp veggies, olives, and feta in a bold, herby dressing.

Caprese Sandwich

All the flavors of a classic caprese stacked between crusty bread.

Spinach Strawberry Salad

Fresh spinach with strawberries tossed in a light, bright dressing.

Avocado Sandwich

Creamy avocado, tomato, onions, and sprouts piled onto toasted bread.

Desserts

No Mother’s Day is complete without something sweet. These Mother’s Day desserts are stunning, indulgent, and guaranteed to end the day on the highest note possible.

Closeup of a caramel topped cheesecake bar on a piece of white baking paper

Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Rich cheesecake bars drizzled with caramel and zero oven required.

Chocolate Cake

Fudgy chocolate cake that hits every single time.

Blackberry Cobbler

Juicy blackberries bubbling under a golden, buttery topping.

Lemon Barst

Tangy lemon curd on a buttery shortbread crust dusted with powdered sugar.

Pavlavo topped with whipped cream and sliced strawberries, slivered lemon rind and a few mint leaves. A few strawberries and a spoon are on the table next to the pavlova. And there is a stack of dessert plates and a dozen eggs in the background.

Pavlova

Crisp on the outside, pillowy in the middle, and topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Glazed Poppyseed Bread

Soft, tender poppyseed bread finished with a sweet, simple glaze.

Lemon Raspberry Bars

Lemon and fresh raspberry layered on a buttery shortbread base.

a photo of a golden sweet biscuit filled with juicy strawberry slices and fluffy whipped cream

Strawberry Shortcake

Fluffy biscuits piled high with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

a photo of a several pieces of moist lemon cake topped with a light yellow lemon cream cheese frosting topped with a small wedge of lemon

Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Bright, zesty lemon cake topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting.

A biscoff stuffed snickerdoodle broken in half and the halves are stacked on top of each other. The biscoff center is oozing out onto the parchment paper.

Biscoff Snickerdoodles

Soft, chewy snickerdoodles with a warm Biscoff twist in every bite.

Easy Dinner Ideas (For Later in the Day)

Because sometimes the best way to celebrate her is with a special home cooked dinner. These Mother’s Day recipes are impressive, delicious, and easy enough that the whole day does not have to revolve around the kitchen.

Garlic Butter Steak

Juicy seared steak finished in a rich, garlicky butter sauce.

Chicken Artichoke Pasta

Tender chicken and artichoke hearts in a creamy pasta sauce.

Grilled Salmon

Flaky, flavorful salmon with a perfect char, ready in minutes.

a photo of a serving of creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy and golden roasted chicken breast that has been sliced

Roast Chicken

Classic golden roast chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat.

Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Sausage

Pillowy gnocchi and savory sausage roasted together in one easy pan

a photo of a BLT cut in half and stacked on top of each other so you can see the inside of the layers

The Best BLT

Crispy bacon, fresh tomato, and cool lettuce on perfectly toasted bread.

a photo of hot sizzling italian oil over fresh spaghetti and loaded with fresh herbs

Sizzling Italian Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Bold, garlicky pasta made with just a handful of pantry staples.

Our readers and are the very best! This recipe is a direct result of a question from a reader. Someone asked if she didn't have ribs, if she could make our Oven Braised Short Ribs with a roast. We started testing and ta da!!! Oven Braised Beef Roast - a juicy, tender, fall apart braised beef roast in a luscious sauce. Who is coming over for dinner?? #roast #beef #braised #meat #dinner #dinnerrecipe #recipe #beefitswhatsfordinner #comfortfood

Braised Short Ribs

Fall off the bone short ribs in a rich, deeply savory sauce.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, the best Mother’s Day is one where she feels loved and taken care of. Whether you go all out with a full Mother’s Day spread or keep it simple with one really good dinner, these recipes make it easy to pull off something truly special. Go make her day!