"Who doesn’t love brunch? Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re still figuring out how to celebrate, an at-home brunch is a perfect way to make your mom feel special and taken care of. The best part? Brunch doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious, especially if you let these Trader Joe’s essentials do some of the work for you.
Hosting and making a meal for loved ones can be intimidating—even more so if you don’t consider yourself a cook (speaking from experience here). But believe it or not, you can serve an epic brunch without cooking anything, thanks to Trader Joe’s. These Trader Joe’s brunch items are easy to prepare, cost-effective, and great-tasting, so you’ll have more time to spend with Mom, instead of being stuck in the kitchen all day. Read on for a foolproof Mother’s Day brunch menu, including some extras to make sure the vibe is right, all courtesy of Trader Joe’s.
1. Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
Moms are constantly juggling a million different tasks and doing it with grace, so trust me—they could use some caffeine. This Trader Joe’s cold brew is an easy option that will let everyone in attendance mix up their own iced coffee. Bonus points if you have a tall glass doctored up with her favorite creamer waiting for your mom when she arrives at brunch.
2. French Vanilla Coffee Creamer
If you’re going to serve coffee, coffee creamer is a must. Trader Joe’s has many options for whatever your mom prefers, but you can’t go wrong with this classic French vanilla flavor. Move over, Starbucks! This Mother’s Day, your mom can enjoy an iced coffee that’s just as good but made with much more love.
3. Chocolate Croissants
These croissants are so delicious, they deserve a spot in the Trader Joe’s Hall of Fame. You can choose between almond, chocolate, and double chocolate flavors—all of them are equally amazing. Just remember to set them out the night before so they can rise. When they’re fresh out of the oven, set them on a serving platter, and your guests will think you bought them fresh from a fancy bakery.
4. Muffins
IMO, brunch is simply not complete without muffins. Trader Joe’s has tons of different flavors to choose from, including blueberry, banana chocolate chip, and cinnamon coffee cake, all of which are absolutely incredible. They also have gluten-free options, so everyone in attendance can enjoy the magic of TJ muffins.
5. Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls
If your mom has a major sweet tooth, she won’t be able to resist these gooey, icing-topped cinnamon rolls. Be sure to grab a tube (or two!) of these for your Mother’s Day brunch, and time it so your cinnamon rolls come out of the oven a few minutes before your guests arrive. That way, your house will smell amazing, and you can serve them as a little appetizer before the main meal.
6. Quiche Lorraine and Mixed Mushroom and Spinach Quiche
Instead of scrambling a bunch of eggs, serve a quiche instead. Trader Joe’s has a few quiches to choose from, and all you have to do is heat them in the oven, so they couldn’t be easier to prepare. The mixed mushroom and spinach quiche is individually sized, so I recommend getting one for each guest. Trader Joe’s also has a larger quiche Lorraine, which serves three. To make sure your presentation is on point, serve the mini quiches on a platter, or place the larger quiche Lorraine on a cake dish for serving.
7. Fully Cooked Apple Smoked Bacon
Bacon is a must for any well-rounded brunch menu. But cooking bacon on a stovetop can be messy, and your oven may already be occupied with quiche and cinnamon rolls. Trader Joe’s to the rescue! This fully cooked bacon comes in clutch with little to no mess, and the bacon is delicious. You can heat it up on the stovetop, or for an even quicker option, wrap them up in paper towels and place them in the microwave. This bacon will save time and take some stress off of you in the kitchen, and no one will be able to tell the difference.
8. Fresh Fruit
Amid all the heavy foods like quiche and cinnamon rolls, you’ll also want to serve something light and fresh. A fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries is especially delicious and easy to throw together, since you only need to cut up the strawberries. If you’re making it ahead, toss everything together except the raspberries, then add them on top last so they don’t get squished!
9. Prosecco
Your mom deserves to kick back and relax on her day, and what better way to treat her than with a glass of bubbly? Trader Joe’s is the place to go for affordable wine that doesn’t compromise on taste. This bottle of prosecco is only $8.99 and is perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch.
10. Orange Juice
If you’re going to have sparkling wine, you need some orange juice to complete your mom-osas. To create a DIY mimosa bar, pick up some other Trader Joe’s juices along with the classic orange, such as cranberry, pomegranate, or even watermelon cucumber. If your mom doesn’t drink, a juice bar sans prosecco will still be a hit.
11. Flowers
The flowers at Trader Joe’s never miss. Don’t forget to pick up a bouquet for Mom, as well as any flowers you’d like for your tablescape. Tulips are always a great option for spring, and Trader Joe’s usually has standard tulips as well as peony tulips available this time of year. Peony tulips have multiple layers of petals, whereas standard tulips just have one, making the blooms especially robust. Both are great options, either for a centerpiece or as a gift!
12. A Mother’s Day Card
Don’t miss out on Trader Joe’s sweet and simple Mother’s Day cards. The greeting card section is usually tucked away in a corner or by the registers, so you may need to look around to find it. The cards typically cost less than a dollar, and most of them are blank, so you’ll have plenty of space to write your own message.