33 Festive Mother's Day Dishes, Drinks, And Desserts That You Still Have Plenty Of Time To Make (Or Prep) For This Weekend

For a grab-able, handheld app, it doesn't get much easier (or more delicious) than these quiche bites. Since the crust is made with store-bought phyllo dough, these come together in the blink of an eye — and they're next-level flaky to boot.

Recipe: Quiche Lorraine Bites

Sometimes the simplest recipes turn out to be the biggest hits, and this vibrant salad is no exception. The warm brown butter dressing is really the star of the show here, and it pairs perfectly with zingy pickled red onions and the salty bite of shaved pecorino cheese.

Recipe: Spinach Salad with Warm Brown Butter Dressing

When you think of bruschetta, you're probably thinking of the tomato variety — but I'm here to tell you that this sweet-and-savory version might just be the greatest out there. Creamy goat cheese, ripe strawberries, and plenty of punchy balsamic vinegar make these anything but ordinary.

Recipe: Strawberry Bruschetta

Mother's Day is all about celebration, and honestly, I can't think of a better way to celebrate than by starting off the day with a moist, lemony muffin or two. With lemon zest, lemon juice, and lemon extract, lemon lovers: This one's for you.

Recipe: Lemon Crumb Muffins

Lemon ricotta pancakes are a staple of many a restaurant menu, but they're surprisingly easy (and just as delicious) to make in your own home. Ricotta cheese and whipped egg whites keep these pancakes light as air, so even if your mom isn't a "sweets for breakfast" type of person, these might just become a new tradition in your family.

Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

If making an elaborate breakfast or brunch first thing in the morning doesn't exactly sound like your idea of fun, this make-ahead-friendly recipe practically has your name on it. Assemble it the night before, let it rest in the fridge, and then pop it into a hot oven when it's time to eat. You'll be rewarded with a crumbly, custardy casserole that's basically effortless.

Recipe: Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole

Dutch babies look impressive, but they couldn't be easier. It's all about getting your skillet nice and hot before you bake it to golden, puffy perfection — and yes, I can assure you that your mother will be very impressed if you make this for her this year.

Recipe: Dutch Baby Pancakes

Standing over a hot griddle and individually flipping pancake after pancake? Tedious at best. Making a crowd's worth of pancakes by pouring the ingredients into a sheet pan and baking them? Sheer genius.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Pancakes

Whether they're from a can, store-bought, or crafted at home with all the love in the world, I've never met a cinnamon roll I didn't love. That said, this homemade version is seriously one of the greatest baked goods you could ever eat (I mean this with every fiber of my being), and once you try them, you may never go back.

Recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

The classic, humble waffle is already a pretty perfect dish, but up the ante with creamy burrata, juicy cherry tomatoes, and salty prosciutto, and I for one am entirely sold...and suddenly very hungry.

Recipe: Savory Cheesy Herb Waffles

If regular ol' eggs Benedict sounds too "meh" for you, I have a feeling this amped-up version with creamy avocado and lump crab meat will change your mind. If you're making these for more folks than just your mom, you can even "poach" the eggs all at once in a muffin tin in the oven. TBH, no one will ever know the difference, and you'll save yourself a whole lot of time.

Recipe: Crab and Avocado Eggs Benedict

It's hard not to love breakfast tacos, but when they're stuffed with sautéed veggies, soft scrambled eggs, and finished with a generous squeeze of lime juice, not loving them is downright impossible. In terms of the vegetables you include, go wild! Follow the recipe to a T, or use anything that's getting sad while sitting unused in your fridge. Either way, they'll be absurdly delicious.

Recipe: Veggie Breakfast Tacos

Shakshuka is a North African one-pan dish that's pretty much delicious any time of day. This version opts for all the green-hued goodness you could ever imagine instead of the traditional tomato-based sauce — and it's real good.

Recipe: Green Shakshuka

Just because it's French doesn't mean it's difficult to make. These "added-value" ham and cheese sandwiches come together entirely on a sheet pan, and they broil away until the creamy béchamel spooned overtop is bubbling and golden brown. Serve it with a simple green salad, and you've got one wildly satisfying Mother's Day breakfast or lunch. 

Recipe: Croque Monsieur

Stratas are a brunch o'clock dream since they're assembled the night before and just require baking the day of. Spinach and cheese are the simple but satisfying fillings in this one, but you can totally add crumbled breakfast sausage or bacon if your heart (or your Mom's heart) desires.

Recipe: Spinach and Cheese Strata

No holiday, celebration, or gathering is complete without dessert, and IMO, carrot cake cupcakes might be the most scrumptious dessert out there. Whether you love 'em for the silky cream cheese frosting or the ultra-moist cake (I personally love both elements equally), your mom deserves these. Trust me.

Recipe: Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

This spin on a classic tiramisu takes a classic Italian dessert and lightens it with the addition of fresh fruit: strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, to be precise. Since you can easily make it in advance, it's the perfect recipe to stash in the fridge and forget about until it's time to dig into something sweet.

Recipe: Triple Berry Tiramisu

I have nothing against a good ol' strawberry shortcake, but y'all, rhubarb shortcake is where it's at. Juicy, tart rhubarb — a springtime staple — is the perfect complement to flaky biscuits and sweet whipped cream, and while homemade biscuits certainly make this dish extra delicious, store-bought ones are a very acceptable shortcut too.

Recipe: Rhubarb Shortcake

These spritzes are festive, refreshing, and practically synonymous with spring. If grapefruit isn't your thing, try substituting a different kind of fruit juice — orange juice or pomegranate juice would both work beautifully here too.

Recipe: Grapefruit Gin Spritz

If you like refreshing cocktails, Moscow Mules are simply where it's at. But this version, packed with muddled blackberries and mint from some extra juiciness, gives "refreshing" a new meaning.

Recipe: Blackberry Moscow Mule

For a non-alcoholic beverage that feels undeniably fancy, this basil-infused lemonade checks all the boxes. The basil flavor comes from the simple syrup, which is made from muddled basil and sugar.

Recipe: Basil Lemonade