With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, there’s always that last minute panic over what to buy her and whether or not she’d really like it. Instead of anxiously pacing up and down the aisles of a department store, do something homemade to show how much you really appreciate her. After all, making brunch from scratch will be far more sentimental than buying a random necklace that you won’t even know if she’ll ever wear.

These 5 brunch ideas are fast, simple, but undoubtedly delicious.

brunch

Photo by Lauren Kaplan

1. French Toast

French toast is an easy go-to for any breakfast or brunch spread, but kick it up a notch with French bread or challah bread instead of your plain old sandwich variety. Then, add in extras like cinnamon or nutmeg to your egg mixture to make things even more interesting.

brunch

Photo by Amanda Shulman

2. Frittata

Eggs are a no-brainer for brunch, but frittatas are a step up from your typical scrambled or sunny-side up preparation. Add in red bell peppersham or asparagus to make it colorful and tasty, and definitely don’t forget to add the cheese.

brunch

Photo by Dan Dao

3. Yogurt Parfait

If you want to avoid spending too much time cooking brunch, opt for making an elaborate parfait. Layer different flavors of yogurt, fresh fruit, granola and nuts in a tall glass cup. For something a little different, try adding hazelnuts, homemade granolaor papaya.

brunch

Photo by Hannah LIn

4. Fruit Salad

Another way to minimize cooking time, preparing a fruit salad will be an easy way to add some freshness to the brunch table. Instead of cutting the fruits into slices like you normally might, try using cookie cutters for melons or skewering the fruit into styrofoam for your own homemade edible arrangement.

brunch

Photo by Amanda Shulman

5. Pancakes

Honestly, you just can’t go wrong with a fresh batch of pancakes. Pick your favorite recipe, heat up the griddle or pan, and be creative with the add-ins. Chocolate chip is a classic choice, but try adding coconut flakesdried fruitscookie butter or crushed peppermint.