My Besties Are Still Talking About These Three Recipes From Our Weekend Brunch

Hosting and event planning are something I’ve always loved. My 16th birthday was celebrated with an elegant dinner party that I painstakingly planned for months, from the elaborate table decor to the cake design and filling. My love of hosting hasn’t diminished since then, even if my free time has. 

This year, celebrating my birthday was a bit lackluster because I was in the middle of moving to a new apartment. Now that I’m settled into my new home, I wanted to host a fun get-together with some of my closest friends. Last weekend, I eagerly took on the task of hosting my twin sister and one of our oldest friends for a weekend brunch, complete with a tasty spread, games and all the latest gossip.

I knew I wanted the star of the spread to be something sweet, since my guests tend to have a sweet tooth. I debated making one of our French toast casserole recipes or maybe our Blueberry-Coconut-Walnut Baked Oatmeal (which I’ve praised as my favorite meal-prep breakfast), but I wanted something a little fancier. I landed on our Make-Ahead Cinnamon Rolls, which were so easy to prep the night before. 

I threw together the dough right after work, letting it rest for an hour while I set up my dining table with candles and a tablecloth. Then I mixed up the filling before carefully spreading it on the dough and rolling it into a log. The trickiest part was cutting it into equal portions, mostly because I had to rummage through my bathroom to find unflavored floss. Once they were sliced and assembled in the pan, I stashed them in the fridge to rest for the night. 

Unlike my sister and friend, I love a savory dish at brunch, which is why I decided to make our Loaded Baked Potato Skins. My only swap for this recipe was using plant-based bacon, and it worked out perfectly. I popped the potatoes in the microwave until they were cooked through, then scooped out the inside, leaving just enough potato for a satisfying bite. Then I brushed them with oil and seasoned them with salt and pepper before broiling them. 

Once they were crispy, I topped them with a hefty sprinkle of shredded cheddar and broiled them again until the cheese melted. As my guests arrived, I garnished the potato skins with a dollop of sour cream, the crumbled “bacon” and some chives, setting the finished product on a tray for everyone to enjoy. The cinnamon buns went in the oven next and baked while I sliced some fresh fruit for us to snack on.

When it came to drinks, I knew immediately that I wanted to try out our recipe for Mojito Mocktails. Even though I don’t drink alcohol, I still wanted a fancy and delicious beverage to serve and this mocktail really did the trick. Zesty lime paired with mint is always a great mix in my opinion, and when combined with sparkling water, it resulted in a refreshing, bubbly drink that everyone loved. Because I prepped the simple syrup and lime juice the night before, I just had to pour everything into a pitcher. It was a super quick drink that was still impressive. 

Aside from the three amazing dishes, I also made a birthday cake, which we enjoyed after playing board games and taking a ton of Polaroid pictures in my kitchen. The cozy vibes and atmosphere were perfect, and we spent hours catching up on the latest happenings in our lives. 

Spending the day hosting two of my favorite people only reignited the hosting itch I had as a teen, and I’m looking forward to welcoming my loved ones into my home and kitchen. With glowing feedback from my guests, I’m excited to plan my next event and see what delicious meals I’ll whip up for our next weekend brunch!