Easter Brunch

Hi Guys! Happy, Happy Thursday! Soooo I totally didn’t get my #WhatUpWednesday post yesterday. Why? Because Mercury is in Retrograde. (That’s my excuse, stickin’ to it.)

LOL but seriously. Yesterday was just NOT my day and I wasn’t going to throw my grumpy mojo at all of you. You’re welcome.

And today? I couldn’t be grumpy if I tried. I have SUCH a fun post for all of you! Remember last March when I did this Snap Chat Filter post with FTD Florals? Well, they reached out to me again with an Easter post that I think y’all are going to DIE for. (I know I did the second I saw the pics!)

I’m not sure about you, but I know that I LOVE Easter Sunday! It’s a day where we put our daily lives aside to celebrate new life and new hope. It’s a day that you typically spend surrounded by the people you love and the food they love to make. (My Grandma’s house on any holiday is my favorite place to be. My family can COOK.) And, it’s also the day when I can eat my favorite candy, Cadbury Creme Eggs for breakfast and no one can judge me for it. (Lookin’ at you, Trev.)

However, if you’re looking for something a little more filling than the delicious treats the Easter Bunny leaves in your basket, FTD and I have you covered!

From STUNNING tablescapes to yummy recipes and everything in between, I can promise you that you’ve just hit the JACKPOT in Easter Ideas!

Let’s start with my favorite part… the food!

3 Easter Brunch Recipes From My Family Cookbook 

I love sharing my family recipes with all of you! I may be biased, but I think my family makes the world’s best food! Today, I’m bringing you 3 staples to not only our Easter, but all of our family gatherings.

Up first? The Easter Ham! While a giant ham might not be the most “brunchy” dish, it is an Easter Staple! So add it to your brunch spread this way. It’s easier to eat than a slab of ham, and it is seriously DELISH.

Grandma Rosie’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

What You’ll Need: 

• 1/2 Cup Butter (+ a little extra to butter your baking dish!)
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3 Cups Whole Milk
• 1 Pepper Chopped (Red or Green… whichever you prefer!)
• 1 Large Onion, Chopped
• 1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese (+ a little extra!)
• 5 Cups Yukon Gold Potatoes, Peeled and Sliced

Directions: 

1. Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees, then butter a 13×9 baking dish.
2. While the oven is preheating put your already peeled and sliced potatoes in a bowl and set aside.
3. Now, it’s time to make a roux! Melt your butter over low heat in a large saucepan. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook while stirring constantly for a minute or two. It should be smooth but almost a bit grainy looking. As soon as it begins to look like this, take it off the heat (you don’t want to let your roux get too dark!) and gradually stir in the milk.
4. Once all your milk is added. return to heat and cook until thick and bubbly.
5. Now, fold in ham, onion, peppers and cheese.
6. And now the hard stuff is done! Next, pour your mixture over the potatoes and stir gently. When combined, transfer to your baking dish and cover with tin foil.
7. Bake for 30 minutes, and then remove the foil. Top with additional cheese (if you want!) and bake uncovered for 1 hour.
8. When the hour is up, take it out, let stand for 10 minutes, then serve!

This is SO yummy and a super easy way to bring the Easter dinner vibes to your Easter Brunch!

My next recipe is coming to you from my Great Great Granny Sams! (Snapple fact, her name was also Rose!) This is the PERFECT appetizer that is so good, it will be gone in seconds. Plus, its only two steps, so literally anyone can make it!

Granny Sams’ Salmon Spread 

What You’ll Need: 

• 10-16 oz Smoked/Cooked Salmon (Okay… we literally live in Salmon Country so I’ve never had this without using salmon freshly caught out of Lake Michigan then smoked to perfection in a smoker. But I’m sure you can get a can of it? Maybe? Do they sell salmon in a can? Or grab fresh Salmon at your local grocery store! Just be sure to cook it first!)
• 1 8 oz Package of Cream Cheese (Softened)
• 2 Tablespoons Onion Soup Mix
• 2 Tablespoons Horseradish

Directions: 

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Chill and serve with crackers.

LOL. Told you that was an easy one! And for the last recipe, you know I gotta share something sweet! This Chocolate Strawberry Fruit Tart is what a dessert lovers dreams are made of! My dad used to make this ALL the time. He found it in a cook book years and years ago (when I was little). But, he’s made it so many times, we all just call it his! I wish I knew who originally made this recipe, but the cookbook is long gone, and all we have is a typed up copy of the ingredients…

Dad’s Chocolate Strawberry Fruit Tart 

What You’ll Need: 

• 1 1/3 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Hershey’s Cocoa
• 3/4 Cup Butter or Margarine (Softened)
• 1/2 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 Tablespoon Shortening (Do not use butter, margarine or oil!)

What Else You’ll Need (For the Strawberry Vanilla Filling) 

• 1 2/3 Cup Vanilla Baking Chips
• 1/4 Cup Evaporated Milk
• 1 8 oz. Package of Cream Cheese (Softened)
• 1 Teaspoon Strawberry Extract
• 2 Drops Red Food Coloring

What Else You’ll Need (For the Glazed Fruit Topping) 

• 1/4 Teaspoon Unflavored Gelatin
• 1 Teaspoon Cold Water
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Cornstarch
• 1/4 Cup Orange Juice
• 2 Tablespons Sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
• Assorted Fresh Fruit, Thinly Sliced

Directions: 

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 325. Grease and flour a 12 inch round pizza pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, powdered sugar and cocoa. With a fork, cut in butter until mixture sticks together, then press evenly in your prepared pan.
3. Once your crust is ready, bake 10-15 minutes, or until crust is set. Then cool completely.
4. While it cools, make your filling! Place vanilla baking chips and evaporated milk in a medium size bowl, and microwave on high until chips are melted and mixture is completely smooth. (After stirring.) Next, beat in cream cheese, strawberry extract and food coloring.
5. Take your filling and spread evenly over crust. Refrigerate until filling is firm.
6. Next, throw your chocolate chips and shortening into a small bow, and microwave on high until chocolate is melted when stirred. Spoon chocolate into a pastry bag and squeeze on the outer edge of your tart. Make a pretty design or keep it simple, whatever floats your boat! Refrigerate until firm.
7. Now, it’s time for the fruit topping! In a small cup, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; and let stand several minutes to soften. In a small saucepan, stir together cornstarch, orange juice, sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat and immediately stir in gelatin mixture until smooth. Cool slightly.
8. Last, arrange your fruit slices over your tart, and carefully brush your glaze over the top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

PS… you totally can skip the glaze! Your tart will be just as good with only fresh fruit on top 🙂

And this my friends, is where my expertise runs out. I could TRY to put together a really great Easter tablescape in my apartment but, let’s be honest, I would just end up crying because it wouldn’t be nearly as gorgeous as what I’m about to show you!

Over on the FTD Florals Blog, you’ll find 50 (Yup. You read that right… 50!!) ideas on how to set up a simple/gorgeous/stylish Easter Brunch for you and those you love most. Here is a little sneak peak for all of you…

Is that not the most STUNNING Easter Brunch you’ve ever seen? Like, can I come that party?! (So many heart eyes rn.)

Want to learn more? Click here for an in depth look at planning the perfect Easter Brunch!

Need some more recipe ideas? Check out some of my favorites from right here on Savannah Said It below!

My Favorite Biscuit Recipe

Bellini Recipe (My Favorite Brunch Drink!)

French Toast Bake Recipe (This Tastes Like Dessert!)

Egg Muffins (If You’re Looking For A Breakfast Option!)

3 Side Dishes You’ll Find At Every Edmondson Holiday

And whatever you do, don’t forget to purchase some gorgeous Spring blooms from FTD Florals! (I’m dying over these tulips y’all!)

Alright. Now that I’m dreaming of tulips, pastels and all things pretty, it’s time for me to snap back into the real world and finish this week! I’m SO ready for it to be this weekend! I’ll be back on Sunday with your Weekend Round Up!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Xx.
Savannah

*Thanks to FTD for making this post possible.