How to Host Brunch

Brunch. blueberry scones, cinnamon rolls, bacon apple cinnamon rolls, ham biscuits — Brunch buffet, with fresh baked blueberry scones (recipe below) and bacon apple cinnamon rolls. We also served bagels and hot ham biscuits with peach mustard.

How to Host Brunch

Sometimes, as a personal chef, you are challenged to cook in tough situations. Last weekend I had the opportunity to prepare brunch for 75 people for a groundbreaking ceremony. The site is a vineyard currently under construction. The property is being transformed into a fantastic community of new homes, Adams Vineyard. With the old muscadine vines left intact, I’m sure it’s going to be lovely when it’s completed. There is still a house and garage on the property but no electricity, no water and a bulldozer or two. I knew with a little planning I could make it work.

Here's the garage before we cleaned it out and ready to go. — Here’s the garage before we had it cleaned it out and dressed up.

Adams Vineyard Norcross, GA by Brock Built Homes

MY 4 INGREDIENT BERRY SCONES RECIPES WOULD BE PERFECT FOR THIS BRUNCH! Here’s the recipe

We also rented "high boy" tables and a 3 sided tent. — We also rented “high boy” tables and a 3 sided tent. It looked like a sweet country wedding, I wished we had someone to marry off!

We used the garage on the property after a thorough cleaning. White curtains accented with green burlap hung over the windows, tables with white cloth and arrangements of sunflowers made the space look rustic/chic.

Here’s the beverage station we created for the brunch. A combination of coffee, juices, and water were served to quench thirsts. Some Champagne would have been a nice touch if this was a weekend brunch, but it was 11 am on a weekday, we didn’t want to send people back to work tipsy.

The most popular dish on the menu was these Ham Biscuits with Peach Mustard. We cooked the ham on a portable stove and kept them warm in a chafing dish.

The menu for the day was hot ham biscuits with peach mustard, blueberry scones, donuts, gluten-free chocolate chip cranberry muffins and bacon, apple cinnamon rolls. We also did a complete bagel set up with assorted cream cheeses, smoked salmon, tomatoes, red onion slices and capers.

Here’s a tip for your brunch at home. Serve a combination of homemade and store-bought items. Make scone dough in advance, cut them out and freeze them a few days before the party then bake them straight from the freezer on brunch day. You can make a hot dish like the ham biscuits or a quiche (here’s a great recipe) and buy bagels and smoked salmon.

Blueberry Scones

Demetra Overton sweesavant.com

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings 8 scones

Ingredients

2 Cups all purpose flour I prefer White Lily
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 tbs granulated white sugar
1 tbs lemon zest or a pinch of cinnamon optional
6 tbs cold butter cut into small pieces
3/4 Cup half and half
1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
1 egg
½ Cup dried fruit or chocolate chips optional
Extra flour for dusting counter
Extra sugar for sprinkling on top of scones

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°
In the bowl of an electric mixer add flour, baking powder, salt and sugar and stir until ingredients are blended. Add butter into flour mixture to the same bowl of and with a paddle attachment mix on medium speed until the mixture has a sandy texture.
To do this by hand crumble the mixture together with your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture has a sandy texture.
In another bowl blend half and half, vanilla and egg.
Reserve two tablespoons of the half and half mixture to use an egg wash, pour the rest of the liquid over the flour mixture and mix until combined.
If you are adding any extras like dried cranberries, dried blueberries (delicious with lemon zest), raisins (add cinnamon) or chocolate chips add them now.
Lightly sprinkle extra flour onto a clean counter. Scrape scone dough onto floured counter and lightly press the dough together.
Shape dough into a disk 6 inches diameter and 1 and 1/2 inches high
Cut the disk into 8 pieces
Place scones an inch apart onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and brush the tops with egg wash.
Sprinkle sugar on top of scones ( turbinado or raw sugar is delicious)
You can freeze the scone dough at this point. No need to thaw before baking.
bake for 15 - 18 minutes

how to host brunch

31 Comments

31 Comments on How to Host Brunch and a Blueberry Scones Recipe

colinewalther
March 29, 2014 at 9:23 pm (11 years ago)

Wow, the food looks delicious, and you did an amazing job with the presentation, and the settings. I love scones, thank you for sharing your recipe.
Reply
- sweetsavant
  April 1, 2014 at 2:02 pm (11 years ago)
  
  Thank you so much for the compliments!You’re a sweetie.
  Reply
  - colinewalther
    April 2, 2014 at 3:11 pm (11 years ago)
    
    Thank you.
    Reply
Catherine L.
March 25, 2014 at 7:27 am (11 years ago)

Your setup is gorgeous! I’m thinking about doing a Mother’s Day brunch and may try your blueberry scones recipe. They sound and look delicious.
Reply
- sweetsavant
  March 25, 2014 at 11:27 am (11 years ago)
  
  I hope you make the scones. If you make them in advance and pop them in the oven the morning of your Mothers Day brunch it will make things so easy. Please let me know if you try them.
  Reply
Bobbie
March 25, 2014 at 12:26 am (11 years ago)

Those scones look delicious.. Actually all the food does! It looks like a wonderful AMD cute little set up and venue area! You are right, would have been adorable for a wedding!
Reply
- sweetsavant
  March 25, 2014 at 11:29 am (11 years ago)
  
  All I could think of that day was how I wished we had a cute little bride and groom to marry that day.
  Reply
Ashley M
March 24, 2014 at 7:48 pm (11 years ago)

What a gorgeous space. I would love to have brunch there.
Reply
Katie
March 24, 2014 at 6:40 pm (11 years ago)

Oh my goodness! what a gorgeous brunch, and such great tips! I cannot wait to make the scones!
Reply
Dina Demarest (@dinade)
March 24, 2014 at 3:23 pm (11 years ago)

I love scones. I’m going to print this recipe so I can make it later. Your brunch looks like a lot of fun.
Reply
kim
March 24, 2014 at 2:47 pm (11 years ago)

Wow, what a sweet set up – I’d loved to have attended that brunch. Outdoors is the way to go if you can pull it off! Nice tray of goodies too!
Reply
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest
March 24, 2014 at 2:04 pm (11 years ago)

Those scones look amazing! However, what I really want to try are those Bacon Apple Cinnamon rolls that I see written on the board. That sounds so good!
Reply
- sweetsavant
  March 24, 2014 at 3:08 pm (11 years ago)
  
  The bacon apple cinnamon rolls were to DIE for! I’ll post the recipe soon.
  Reply
Stefani Tolson
March 24, 2014 at 1:34 pm (11 years ago)

You did an amazing job! I would have loved to be there to taste all the yummy food.
Reply
Terin Garrett
March 24, 2014 at 11:51 am (11 years ago)

Oh my gosh, it all looks so delicious! I’m starving!! LOL
Reply
Rosey
March 24, 2014 at 11:02 am (11 years ago)

Everything did turn out wonderful! I love that you shared the scone recipe, I love scones. 🙂
Reply
Amanda H.
March 24, 2014 at 5:12 am (11 years ago)

The presentation at the brunch looks so beautiful. I’ll be adding this recipe to my breakfast to-do list for sure!
Reply
Brett Martin (@brettbmartin)
March 23, 2014 at 11:52 pm (11 years ago)

wow what a transformation!! we are always looking for more blueberry recipes- I have gallons in the freezer from our yard. yummy.
Reply
myrealfoodfamily
March 23, 2014 at 8:56 pm (11 years ago)

You did a beautiful job decorating! The food looks delicious too!
Reply
Janeane Davis
March 23, 2014 at 7:37 pm (11 years ago)

Wow, this looks like an amazing event! So beautiful.
Reply
Debbie L.
March 23, 2014 at 7:15 pm (11 years ago)

Loving event! Thanks for the scones recipe!
Reply
lisa
March 23, 2014 at 12:04 am (11 years ago)

I have been hooked on Panera’s Scones the last few months. My budget would love me for making these and I think I can do it. They look delish!
Reply
teresa mccluskey
March 22, 2014 at 10:43 pm (11 years ago)

Beautiful display first off! and now my tummy is wanting some brunch! I think this would be a blast to attend
Reply
Krystal's Kitsch
March 22, 2014 at 10:34 pm (11 years ago)

Beautiful brunch display! I love the high top tables and the yellow everywhere. Very bright and cheery event!
Reply
sippycupmom
March 22, 2014 at 6:49 pm (11 years ago)

This looks like an amazing event! Thanks for the great recipe!
Reply
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
March 22, 2014 at 4:07 pm (11 years ago)

I love scones, but I haven’t had one in ages. I have never made my own scones at home, but I would definitley like to sometime.
Reply
Jennifer Mercurio (@DoubleDutyMommy)
March 22, 2014 at 3:13 pm (11 years ago)

What a gorgeous setup! I have actually NEVER even tried a scone let alone try to make them. I think it’s time because yours look so yummy!
Reply
Nadine
March 20, 2014 at 11:23 pm (11 years ago)

Wow!!! What a transformation! You did an amazing job. I love the cheerful yellow pots and flowers against the white table cloths.
Reply
- sweetsavant
  March 21, 2014 at 12:15 am (11 years ago)
  
  Thanks Nadine, I’m really happy with the way everything turned out.
  Reply
Dee Dee (@MissFoodieFab)
March 20, 2014 at 10:44 pm (11 years ago)

What a great job you did. Congrats!
Reply
- sweetsavant
  March 20, 2014 at 11:02 pm (11 years ago)
  
  Thanks so much! Everything turned out well and we had a great time
  Reply

Sweet Savant

How to Host Brunch and a Blueberry Scones Recipe