Sweet Treats for Easter
With Easter coming up this weekend, most families in Denver are planning their annual traditions. For some, it is church, followed by brunch in Denver with the whole family. For others, the holiday starts at the crack of dawn with an egg hunt and easter baskets and brunch at home. Whatever your tradition, everyone wants some easy pre-made breakfast treats on hand to go with their morning coffee! After all, a big Easter brunch may be several hours away! Here are a few of our favorite recipes for Easter morning that work well for before, during, or even after Easter brunch.
French Toast Bake
We love this recipe because you can prepare it the night before and just pop it in the oven when you are ready to nosh on Easter morning!
Ingredients:
6 large eggs
1 1/2 c. whole milk
1 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
pinch of nutmeg
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 loaf white bread, preferably day old
Powdered sugar, for serving
Maple syrup, for serving
strawberries, for serving (optional)
Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt.
- Dunk bread slices in the egg mixture then arrange them in a tall baking dish, standing up. Pour extra egg mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate, 2 hours, or up to overnight.
- Bake in oven on 375° until the tops of the bread are golden and crunchy, about 45 minutes.
- Sift powdered sugar on top of the French toast bake. Serve warm with maple syrup and strawberries, if desired.
Lemon Poppyseed Loaf
Prepare this delicious, sunshiney breakfast bread ahead of time and then slice and go! Whether you are chasing tots around the yard on their egg hunt, or getting everyone in the car to go to church and brunch, this is the perfect pre-breakfast treat!
Ingredients
1 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
3 tbsp. poppy seeds
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
Zest of 2 lemons
3 large eggs
1/2 c. yogurt
1/4 c. skim milk
Juice of 1 1/2 lemons, divided, plus small wedges for serving
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 c. powdered sugar
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9”-x-5” loaf pan with cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper and grease parchment paper with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, poppy seeds, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl using a hand mixer, combine butter, sugar, and lemon zest and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Add yogurt, milk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.
- Add flour mixture to the egg mixture in 3 additions, stirring at low speed between each one. Stir until batter is just combined, then pour batter into prepared pan and bake until the loaf is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes.
- Let loaf cool in pan for 15 minutes then carefully transfer to cooling rack to cool completely. When the loaf has cooled, whisk together powdered sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice to make glaze. Pour over loaf and garnish with lemon wedges.
And remember, we’ll be open on Easter so bring your family in for brunch! From all of us at The Original Pancake House in Denver, Happy Easter to you and yours!
What is an Irish Breakfast?
St. Patrick’s Day is this coming Saturday and we’re excited to celebrate this delicious (and lucky!) food holiday at The Original Pancake House in Denver. In Ireland they say “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper” which means we should all start the day with a large cooked breakfast - now that is an idea we fully support!
In Ireland, the tradition of a full Irish breakfast was started for farm workers to give them energy and sustenance for a full-day of outdoor labor. The meal was typically created with farm fresh produce and homemade breakfast staples, all warmed together in a big frying pan with a generous square of Irish butter. Today’s Irish breakfast usually consists of some or all of the following: bacon, sausages, baked beans, eggs, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, and perhaps some cooked leftover potatoes made into a hash. There will also be toast, butter, marmalade, and lots of tea to drink.
Today, most Irish folk don’t have time for such an elaborate breakfast during the week. However, this favorite breakfast meal is savored on lazy weekend mornings and is always served at Irish bed and breakfasts and inns.
At The Original Pancake House in Denver, we serve our own version of an Irish breakfast, our Corned Beef Hash and Eggs. Inspired by the flavors of Ireland, this dish includes our own homemade freshly ground corned beef brisket and onion with diced potatoes. It comes served with two basted eggs and three of our wonderful buttermilk pancakes. If you are looking for a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast in Denver, stop on in and try it!
From all of us at The Original Pancake House, we wish you a Happy St. Patty’s Day!