Mother's Day brunch

One of my favorite things to do is to host parties! It's so much fun to plan a theme, and a menu, decorate and of course, socialize! The downside is (if you're the one cooking) you end up stuck in the kitchen while the rest of the party is happenin' somewhere else.

Here is one of my favorite make-ahead recipes, it's perfect for a Mother's day brunch. You make it the night before after the kids are in bed and all you have to do the day-of is pop it in the oven, easy-peasy. Which allows you to be the social butterfly you were meant to be. And it's delicious too, sure to please everyone, even your mother-in-law!

PS: This is great for Easter morning or Christmas morning when you're busy but want something special for breakfast too!

Baked Apple French Toast

1C brown sugar, packed

1/2 C butter, melted

1Tbsp cinnamon, divided

3-4 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

1/2 C raisins

1 loaf french or Italian bread sliced 1 inch thick

8-9 eggs

2C milk

1Tbsp vanilla

Combine brown sugar, butter and one teaspoon cinnamon in a lightly greased 13x9 baking pan. Add apples and raisins, toss to coat well. Spread apple mixture evenly over bottom of baking pan. Arrange slices of bread on top; set aside. Blend together eggs, milk, vanilla and remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon until well mixed. Pour mixture over bread, soaking bread completely. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.

Bake, covered, at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve warm with with syrup, if desired. Makes 12 servings.

Mimi and I are going to my mom's house for the Mother's day (my parents live 2 hours away), so we won't be making this for breakfast at my house this year.  But we're going to have lots of fun, just us girls! I hope you have a wonderful Mother's day too!!!