Elegant & easy French-inspired Easter brunch menu

After the quiet reflection of Christ’s sacrifice during Lent, we joyfully bring back the glorious “Alleluia” to celebrate His triumph over death through His Resurrection. Gathering your loved ones around the table for an Easter brunch is a wonderful way to honor this occasion and commemorate our redemption. Whether you’re celebrating after the Easter Vigil or returning from Easter morning Mass, this brunch menu offers a delightful feast that’s easy to prepare. 

Curated with modern French-inspired recipes, the menu is designed to celebrate the salvation that Christ has brought us while keeping your hosting experience stress-free. To make it even more convenient, I’ve included a comprehensive grocery list, helpful tips for each recipe, and a timeline for planning and prepping. 

Puff Pastry Croque Madame

An impressive yet incredibly quick Easter breakfast. Using puff pastry to make a decadent croque madame without the stress, simply top with ham and gruyere cheese, crack on an egg, and finish with chives for garnish – it doesn’t get much easier than this. 

Tip: Make sure to thaw the puff pastry in the fridge the day before. 

Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake

It’s hard not to love French toast, but this irresistible croissant French toast bake is studded with fruit preserves and topped with fresh berries and whipped cream. Serve with a healthy drizzle of maple syrup. This French toast bake will surely win over your heart. 

Tip: This is an excellent make-ahead recipe to prep the night before. 

Carrot salad with lemon vinaigrette

A bright and crunchy salad that embodies the freshness of spring. The perfect savory salad pairing for the Puff Pastry Croque Madames. 

Tip: Shred the carrots and prep the vinaigrette in advance, and assemble just before serving so that the salad doesn’t get soggy. 

Easter fruit tray or Resurrection cross fruit platter

Try these festive fruit platter ideas for your brunch soiree. The first recipe uses cookie cutters to make cute bunnies, flowers, and Easter eggs out of pineapple and watermelon. It is accompanied by a yogurt dip and chocolate candies (if you’re feeling a little extra). The next idea is to assemble orange slices (or cut fruit of your choice) into a cross surrounded by bundles of grapes, pineapple, and berries. 

Tip: Assemble the fruit platter the night before, or let your kiddos put it together while the French toast and croque madames bake.

Easter strawberry tequila sunrise mimosa

Toast this Easter with a bubbly twist on a tequila sunrise. Complete with strawberry, orange juice, tequila, and topped with champagne or prosecco. 

Tip: Make a mocktail version with sparkling white grape juice and leave out the tequila.  

Grocery list

 Dairy & eggs

• Large eggs
• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Cream cheese
• Salted butter
• Gruyère cheese
• Yogurt (plain or vanilla)

Bakery & pastry

• Grocery store bakery croissants (Costco and Sam’s Club are great)
• Puff pastry sheets 

Meat

• Black forest ham

Produce

• Fresh berries of choice (for French toast bake and fruit tray)
• Additional strawberries (for mimosas)
• Grapes
• Melon (cantaloupe and/or honeydew)
• Pineapple
• Small watermelon 
• Lemons
• Carrots
• Fresh parsley
• Scallions
• Fresh chives

Pantry staples

• Real maple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Fruit preserves of choice
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Agave nectar (for cocktails, or substitute honey)

Beverages

• Orange juice
• Champagne or prosecco (and/or sparkling white grape juice if making mocktails)
• Silver tequila

Optional

• Chocolate Easter candies (for fruit tray if desired)

Shop + plan-ahead timeline

Holy Thursday or Friday

• Finalize menu and guest count
• Do a full grocery shop

Holy Saturday morning

• Shop for any items you may have forgotten
• Wash fruit and herbs
• Grate carrots and store dry in the fridge
• Cube cream cheese
• Shred Gruyère

Holy Saturday afternoon

• Assemble French toast bake (cover and refrigerate overnight)
• Prep lemon vinaigrette (store sealed)
• Chop fruit (except strawberries if very ripe)
• Chill champagne/prosecco
• Set the table, pull out the serving dishes

Easter morning

• Bake French toast casserole
• Bake Puff Pastry Croque Madames, fresh
• Toss the carrot salad with the vinaigrette
• Assemble fruit tray
• Pour mimosas just before serving

I hope this Easter Brunch Menu gives you some inspiration for your Easter morning soiree, and that your Easter is filled with abundant joy, memories, and blessings. 

Let us know if you’ll be using this Easter brunch menu this year or what your Easter morning traditions are in the comments below.