What can I make ahead for brunch?
January 28, 2010 12:19 PM Subscribe
I'm going to a brunch next weekend and have been asked to bring something. What can I make ahead of time?
I want to bake something for this brunch, which is next Sunday morning, but I work all day/night on Saturday as well as early Sunday morning. What yummy brunch food can I make on Friday that will still be delicious a couple days later? Cupcakes don't seem quite right. Some other sort of cake? I feel like I'm missing something obvious and clearly need some suggestions! (Vegetarian suggestions, please.)
I want to bake something for this brunch, which is next Sunday morning, but I work all day/night on Saturday as well as early Sunday morning. What yummy brunch food can I make on Friday that will still be delicious a couple days later? Cupcakes don't seem quite right. Some other sort of cake? I feel like I'm missing something obvious and clearly need some suggestions! (Vegetarian suggestions, please.)
Jello salad!
posted by hermitosis at 12:22 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by hermitosis at 12:22 PM on January 28, 2010
Response by poster: Those are both awesome suggestions! I should have said--if you all have recipes, feel free to share. :)
posted by leesh at 12:22 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by leesh at 12:22 PM on January 28, 2010
Response by poster: I'm not sure I'm capable of the craziness of jello salad, hermitosis.
posted by leesh at 12:24 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by leesh at 12:24 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: Quiche of the gods (from Tartine cookbook in SF)
posted by zia at 12:24 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by zia at 12:24 PM on January 28, 2010
Response by poster: Will fruit salad keep for two days? I'm going straight from work to this brunch and seriously need to have everything done on Friday.
posted by leesh at 12:24 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by leesh at 12:24 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: banana bread! i used this recipe last week and it was great. (i reduced the sugar like was suggested and i doubled the vanilla)
you can buy the bananas now and just let them get all sorts of brown over the week. you can also buy them, stick them in a brown paper sack with the top folded over and once they're all black, throw 'em in the freezer until an hour or so before you want to cook with them.
posted by nadawi at 12:26 PM on January 28, 2010
you can buy the bananas now and just let them get all sorts of brown over the week. you can also buy them, stick them in a brown paper sack with the top folded over and once they're all black, throw 'em in the freezer until an hour or so before you want to cook with them.
posted by nadawi at 12:26 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: My grandmother's coffee cake recipe produces excellent results. You can add frozen blueberries or chocolate chips if you fancy that:
3/4 C sugar
1/4 C shortening
Mix together then mix into the following
1 egg
1/2 C milk
Mix these together, then mix into the above mixture:
1 1/2 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
If you want to add blue berries or other items (chocolate chips, etc) do so now.
Here is the crumb topping:
Mix together
1/2 C sugar
1/3 C flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C soft margarine (or butter, whatever)
Spread batter in a greased 9" square baking pan.
Sprinkle with topping and bake 375 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes; 40 to 50 minutes for a double batch.
Test by inserting a tooth pick in the center, it should come out without batter stuck to it.
posted by booknerd at 12:28 PM on January 28, 2010 [6 favorites]
3/4 C sugar
1/4 C shortening
Mix together then mix into the following
1 egg
1/2 C milk
Mix these together, then mix into the above mixture:
1 1/2 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
If you want to add blue berries or other items (chocolate chips, etc) do so now.
Here is the crumb topping:
Mix together
1/2 C sugar
1/3 C flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C soft margarine (or butter, whatever)
Spread batter in a greased 9" square baking pan.
Sprinkle with topping and bake 375 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes; 40 to 50 minutes for a double batch.
Test by inserting a tooth pick in the center, it should come out without batter stuck to it.
posted by booknerd at 12:28 PM on January 28, 2010 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Banana bread keeps really well. I would let it cool completely (out of the pan), then wrap in Saran wrap and keep in the refrigerator until party time. Add other stuff to make it more special - banana cinnamon chip, banana blueberry, etc.
I wouldn't count on fruit salad keeping for 2 days. But most grocery stores sell pre-sliced fruit that you could dump into your own bowl and drizzle with a bottled sweet type dressing. You could even do this in the car on your way there.
posted by lakeroon at 12:28 PM on January 28, 2010
I wouldn't count on fruit salad keeping for 2 days. But most grocery stores sell pre-sliced fruit that you could dump into your own bowl and drizzle with a bottled sweet type dressing. You could even do this in the car on your way there.
posted by lakeroon at 12:28 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: Maple syrup pancake muffins. Mmmmmm. Or with chocolate chips.
posted by Sophie1 at 12:31 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by Sophie1 at 12:31 PM on January 28, 2010
Just stop at a grocery store and buy pre-sliced fruit (pineapple, melon) and a big thing of cottage cheese. So good and so easy!
posted by PercussivePaul at 12:33 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by PercussivePaul at 12:33 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: Will fruit salad keep for two days?
You can refrigerate it and it won't be bad, per se, but the fruit might brown and get a little mushy.
I would bring muffins. You can easily make them a few days ahead. Just store them in an air-tight container at room temp. Or if you want them to be really fresh, you can freeze them after baking. 15-30 minutes at room temperature should be enough to defrost them, and if you have an oven or microwave where you're going you can warm them up before serving. I really like these Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce muffins - and bonus, they're healthy!
posted by geeky at 12:42 PM on January 28, 2010
You can refrigerate it and it won't be bad, per se, but the fruit might brown and get a little mushy.
I would bring muffins. You can easily make them a few days ahead. Just store them in an air-tight container at room temp. Or if you want them to be really fresh, you can freeze them after baking. 15-30 minutes at room temperature should be enough to defrost them, and if you have an oven or microwave where you're going you can warm them up before serving. I really like these Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce muffins - and bonus, they're healthy!
posted by geeky at 12:42 PM on January 28, 2010
This is what I would do: A fruit tray. You can just put a bunch of grapes on there, some strawberries, blueberries, cut up melon(s). Pick fruits that you can serve whole (like strawberries, grapes) or that keep well (I wouldn't cut up any bananas or apples).
But wait, there's more. Serve with that some fruit dip.
1 small container of marshmallow creme fluff stuff
1 8 oz package cream cheese (softened)
Whip marshmallow creme fluff and cream cheese together. Serve with the fruit. (you can totally make this fruit dip ahead of time).
posted by Sassyfras at 12:49 PM on January 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
But wait, there's more. Serve with that some fruit dip.
1 small container of marshmallow creme fluff stuff
1 8 oz package cream cheese (softened)
Whip marshmallow creme fluff and cream cheese together. Serve with the fruit. (you can totally make this fruit dip ahead of time).
posted by Sassyfras at 12:49 PM on January 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
My favorite quiche recipe is always a hit at brunches:
Ingredients:
fresh apples
2 cups grated cheese (or crumbled if you want to use goat cheese - yumm)
1/2 pound bacon
1 1/2 cups bisquick
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs
layer sliced apples, cheese, and bacon
beat eggs, add milk, then bisquick.
pour batter over apple, cheese and bacon layers.
bake at 374 for 45 minutes or until done.
posted by dchrssyr at 12:55 PM on January 28, 2010 [6 favorites]
Ingredients:
fresh apples
2 cups grated cheese (or crumbled if you want to use goat cheese - yumm)
1/2 pound bacon
1 1/2 cups bisquick
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs
layer sliced apples, cheese, and bacon
beat eggs, add milk, then bisquick.
pour batter over apple, cheese and bacon layers.
bake at 374 for 45 minutes or until done.
posted by dchrssyr at 12:55 PM on January 28, 2010 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Easy savory oatmeal:
steel cut oats
crumbled veggie bacon
sauteed onions
cheddar cheese
This stuff reheats very, very well. I made a bunch last Sunday and just had the last of it this morning for breakfast. Put a little milk in it before you nuke it.
I make it in one pot: crisp the bacon in some butter in the bottom of the pot, then toast the oats / sautee the onions in the pot, then add the boiling water and cook the oats/onions, and grate the cheese while the oats cook. Add cheese and "bacon" as soon as the oatmeal is done.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:14 PM on January 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
steel cut oats
crumbled veggie bacon
sauteed onions
cheddar cheese
This stuff reheats very, very well. I made a bunch last Sunday and just had the last of it this morning for breakfast. Put a little milk in it before you nuke it.
I make it in one pot: crisp the bacon in some butter in the bottom of the pot, then toast the oats / sautee the onions in the pot, then add the boiling water and cook the oats/onions, and grate the cheese while the oats cook. Add cheese and "bacon" as soon as the oatmeal is done.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:14 PM on January 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Mrs. Jeffamaphone makesthis blueberry maple breakfast bake for me to take to work all the time. She usually does it the night before, but I don't see why it wouldn't last two nights in the fridge.
And it is really, really good.
posted by jeffamaphone at 1:21 PM on January 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
And it is really, really good.
posted by jeffamaphone at 1:21 PM on January 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Here's a whole plethora of make ahead brunch options with recipes!
posted by grapesaresour at 1:32 PM on January 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by grapesaresour at 1:32 PM on January 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
If you have access to ripe persimmons, this persimmon bread is awesome.
posted by neroli at 1:38 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by neroli at 1:38 PM on January 28, 2010
I'd suggest either this recipe and this recipe. I would say you could do almost everything ahead of time and even if you had to make it two days ahead, you could do the egg part the night before and then bake it. I've had this several times and it's awesome.
posted by questionsandanchors at 1:38 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by questionsandanchors at 1:38 PM on January 28, 2010
P.S. Both are versions of the same idea- just depends on how much you need.
posted by questionsandanchors at 1:38 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by questionsandanchors at 1:38 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: I'd make a coffee cake with sour cream in it because cakes with sour cream tend to stay moist and generally taste even better after sitting for a day or two; just be sure to wrap it up very well.
posted by katie at 1:43 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by katie at 1:43 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: Okay, I made these banana cookies, which are like banana bread but in cookie form. Easy to make, very delicious, and they kept for a few days. Might have kept longer but they got eaten. :)
posted by sandraregina at 1:45 PM on January 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by sandraregina at 1:45 PM on January 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nthing quiche - keeps super well, and you can even freeze it if you want.
Aside from that ... muffins or scones! Also can be frozen between baking & bringing if need be.
posted by tastybrains at 1:48 PM on January 28, 2010
Aside from that ... muffins or scones! Also can be frozen between baking & bringing if need be.
posted by tastybrains at 1:48 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: Merryfield Apple Cake from the Good Housekeeping Cookbook (a quick google shows several versions online) is a dense apple coffee cake that makes TWO 9"-square pans full ... one to keep and one to share! Or two to share. :)
I often make it a little ahead and take it as a hostess gift to dinner parties for the hosts to serve the next morning so they don't have to deal with breakfast after all those dishes! I think it improves for a few days, actually.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 2:27 PM on January 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
I often make it a little ahead and take it as a hostess gift to dinner parties for the hosts to serve the next morning so they don't have to deal with breakfast after all those dishes! I think it improves for a few days, actually.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 2:27 PM on January 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Cheese cake also keeps well, save the fruit for the last minute. I haven't made one is ages, don't have a favorite recipe.
posted by mareli at 2:29 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by mareli at 2:29 PM on January 28, 2010
Best answer: You could make homemade granola (this recipe or this one, perhaps) and bring a nice container of yogurt and a jar of honey.
posted by katie at 3:00 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by katie at 3:00 PM on January 28, 2010
Response by poster: YES! Thank you guys for all the great answers! I probably will do banana bread or muffins (I make those all the time and don't know why it didn't occur to me) but maybe i'll bring some other stuff too, b/c all of these answers are awesome.
posted by leesh at 4:44 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by leesh at 4:44 PM on January 28, 2010
Response by poster: Brunch guests include vegetarians and Jews who don't eat bacon, hence my request for vegetarian recipes. Thanks though!
posted by leesh at 6:21 PM on January 28, 2010
posted by leesh at 6:21 PM on January 28, 2010
Hope the brunch went well. I wanted to add independent confirmation of the goodness of Mrs. jeffmaphone's blueberry bake, which my 3-year-old and I put together on Saturday night and then baked this morning. Even my husband, who generally dislikes sweet things for breakfast, liked it, and my 3-year-old insisted on having it for lunch, too. Thanks, Mrs. jeffmaphone!
posted by palliser at 4:57 PM on January 31, 2010
posted by palliser at 4:57 PM on January 31, 2010
Response by poster: The brunch is this coming weekend--and that is a serious contender for what I'll make! Thanks for letting us know it's awesome!
posted by leesh at 8:38 AM on February 1, 2010
posted by leesh at 8:38 AM on February 1, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:20 PM on January 28, 2010 [4 favorites]