Mother's Day Recipe Ideas

I’m coming up on my 24th Mother’s Day celebration. My three younger siblings and I have had some stellar years of honoring my mom (handwritten notes and cards, pricey brunches—admittedly on dad’s tab!)…and then some years we’d rather forget (the year of the tennis racquet…enough said.).

As I’ve grown older, my mom and I have grown closer and Mother’s Day isn’t just a day to celebrate her as my mom, but also as a woman I truly love, respect, and admire. Though we no longer live in the same house, or even the same city, I’m lucky enough to see her this Mother’s Day, and I’m already excited about the fancy meal I plan to prepare for her and the gift I’ve purchased.

How about you? How are you honoring your mom (or grandma or wife of your children or pseudo mom in your life) this year? If you’re still looking for ideas, might I offer a few homemade options? Local restaurants are packed on Mother’s Day, full of family members and their moms. Sure, you could do the same…but why not show your mom you care by getting a little more creative this year!

I know some moms can’t imagine anything more glorious than waking up to the smell of coffee that they didn’t have to crawl out of bed to prepare. How about breakfast in bed? If your mom doesn’t like crumb-filled sheets, set the table, put some fresh flowers in a vase, and serve her a restaurant-worthy breakfast that she can enjoy in her pajamas. You can’t go wrong with sweet potato pancakes or strawberry french toast. Does your mom prefer a savory breakfast? Impress her with pesto quiche with an oatmeal crust or scrambled egg cups.

Maybe you’ll be heading off to church on Mother’s Day, or your mom can’t be bothered with anything more than toast first thing in the morning. Have no fear, you can still impress your mom with some homemade goodies! If your mom is anything like mine, she’s easily won over by one ingredient: chocolate. Though it’d be easy to pick up a cake from the grocery store or a bakery, nothing says love like labor in the kitchen! These caramel brownies are so easy, you’ll probably have time to whip up a batch of candy bar cookie bars too. For the few and far between who don’t love chocolate best, there’s always a raspberry amaretto trifle or butterscotch pecan sandies.

As I’ve come to learn, with moms, it’s the thought that counts. This Mother’s Day, plan ahead, pick a recipe, and show your mom how much you care!