Beyond the Jar: An Easter Brunch to Remember
Easter has always been one of those holidays that just stays with you.
As a child, it felt just as exciting as Christmas. Maybe even a little more playful. There were spring dresses or a new little coat, outdoor games if the weather allowed, and of course the egg hunts.
They were always the best.
And Easter morning always started the same way.
We would wake up to our own little piles of goodies, each of us set up around the kitchen table. Chocolate, small treats, something thoughtful tucked in. It was never over the top, but it felt like everything.
After church, we often went out for brunch.
It kind of became part of our Easter tradition. Something we looked forward to just as much as the Easter baskets themselves.
And now, all these years later, I find myself wanting to recreate that same feeling at home.
Easter, Now at Home
These days, Easter still carries that same energy, just in a different way.
Even now, with older kids, the baskets, egg hunts, and little goodies are still part of it all.
But more and more, I find myself drawn to creating brunch at home.
Something a little more relaxed. A little more lingering.
A table that invites people to come and go, pour another coffee, and stay a little longer than planned.
The kind of table where no one is in a rush to leave.
And truly, it does not all have to come from you. Order a few things from your favourite local bakery or invite guests to bring their go-to brunch dish. It all adds to the table and takes the pressure off.
This Year’s Easter Grazing Table (Beyond the Jar Style)
This year, we kept things simple, beautiful, and mostly make-ahead, using the recipes we filmed for Mondays with Marsha.
A grazing table that feels abundant, but is actually very manageable to pull together.
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Chia parfaits with blueberry preserve and yogurt layers
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Peach prosecco scones using our tea biscuit mix
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Mini pancake skewers
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Golden waffles using our pancake mix
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A clotted cream spread with preserves, fruit, and biscuits
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Fruit syrup mimosas for something a little celebratory
And if you are looking to round it out, feel free to add in a few savoury options like bacon, sausage, or your favourite frittata or egg bite recipe. Many of those can be made the day before, which makes hosting even easier.
It is the kind of spread where everything can be made in pieces and then simply brought together.
A little planning, and a lot less pressure.
Make-Ahead Magic (So You Can Actually Enjoy It)
If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is this. You do not need to do everything the morning of.
1 to 2 days before:
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Prepare your scone dough and shape it
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Wrap and store in the fridge or freezer
The day before:
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Make chia parfaits
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Cook pancakes
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Wash and prep fruit
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Prepare any egg dishes or savoury items
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Set aside your serving pieces
Morning of:
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Bake scones fresh from the fridge or freezer
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Warm pancakes and waffles
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Assemble your grazing table and parfaits
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Pour mimosas
And then you actually get to sit down and enjoy it too. Because that is the whole point.
A Few Simple Touches That Make It Feel Special
It really does not need to be complicated.
Linen or a set of cute Easter napkins.
A few bouquets of tulips.
Some cute little Easter treats tucked in throughout.
Set everything up around the island or table so it feels abundant and easy to graze from. Layer in cake plates, mix different textures of serving boards and platters, and let it feel a little collected rather than perfectly styled.
And just like that… voilà. It looks like you have been working on it for days.
That is what makes people want to gather.
Holding Onto the Magic
Even now, Easter still feels the same at its core.
A little wonder.
A little sweetness.
A reason to gather.
And maybe that is what we are really creating each year.
Not just a brunch, but something that stays with people.
A feeling they carry forward.
If You Are Planning Easter This Week
Let this be your reminder
It does not have to be elaborate to be meaningful.
Start with a few simple pieces.
Prep what you can ahead of time.
Use what you already have.
And most importantly
Make space to be part of it.
P.S.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to sit down with Vanessa Smith on her Business in the Open podcast and share a little more of my entrepreneurial journey. The early days, the lessons, and everything in between. If you are in the mood for something a little deeper, you can listen in there.
Lots of love,
Marsha
