21 Garden Party Recipes for an Elegant Mother’s Day Celebration
Mom deserves something special in the sunshine.
With Mother’s Day approaching, you might already be planning ways to spoil your own mom or other moms who add so much to your life. Sure, flowers are a lovely gesture, as is Mother’s Day brunch. But with the weather finally nice outside, why not combine the two and throw her a garden party? Going the extra mile to throw her an elegant tea party on a bright, sunny day will surely show her how much you care.
What do Mother’s Day garden party recipes entail? First, consider appetizers and finger foods that are easy to grab and already pre-portioned, such as crostini or small tea sandwiches. That way, you don’t have to stress about having to cut and serve everything. And you can still have one or two items that might need a bit of extra effort as the centerpiece, like say, a pretty homemade cake decorated with edible flowers. Having to cut one cake versus everything on the table makes it much more manageable.
Similarly, consider items that are still tasty cold or at room temperature. You don’t want to be spending all your time running back and forth to the kitchen when all the action is outside. Again, limit your hot dish ideas to one or two that might need babysitting and let the rest take care of themselves, like make-ahead sandwich rolls, tasty scones, or individual fruit cups. It’ll give you more time to enjoy the sunshine, and of course, the guest of honor! She’s the most important ingredient of your whole day’s menu, after all.
Tea Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches look so elegant but are actually quite easy to put together. Learn how to assemble cucumber, smoked salmon, and curried chicken salad sandwiches. They will delight your guests and give them plenty of flavor options.
Get the Tea Sandwiches recipe.
Whipped Deviled Eggs with Dill
Never skip out on a reason to eat deviled eggs. There are many ways to make them, but Ree’s whipped version with dill feels particularly fresh and perfect for springtime.
Get Ree’s Whipped Deviled Eggs with Dill recipe.
Spring Vegetable Basket with Spinach Dip
The veggies are bountiful come spring, so why not celebrate with a big basket! It’s a great outdoor spin on crudité. You can even serve the dip in a hollowed-out pepper.
Lemon Shortbread
Shortbread is a perfect mid-day cookie for coffee or tea. This version is infused with bright lemon zest and juice for a pop of flavor. Plus, the embossed flower tops are perfect for the theme.
Get the Lemon Shortbread Cookies recipe.
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini
A little sweet, a little tangy, and just the right amount of fancy, these crostini will certainly be a hit. The drizzle of balsamic glaze and sprinkle of fresh mint really elevate each bite.
Get Ree's Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini recipe.
Radish Salad
If you’ve got 15 minutes, you can throw together a pretty spring salad. The mixture of radishes and cucumbers topped with a light, zesty dressing is both crisp and refreshing.
Get the Radish Salad recipe.
Orange-Vanilla Scones
A mid-day party also calls for scones! Ree’s orange-vanilla versions are subtly sweet, so flavorful but not overpowering. The orange glaze is so dreamy, and they’ll pair perfectly with coffee or tea.
Get Ree's Orange-Vanilla Scones recipe.
Everything Cucumber-Smoked Salmon Bites
It’s amazing how elegant cucumber slices can become when topped with sour cream, smoked salmon, fresh dill, and lots of fun seasonings. Think: everything you love about bagels, but fresher and easier to eat.
Lemon Cake
Make a showstopper for dessert if you want to go all-out on one menu item. Not only is the lemon lovely for a springtime affair, but you can decorate with edible flowers quite easily. She’ll be so impressed!
Get the Lemon Cake recipe.
Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad
Mix-ins are what make this pasta salad stand out: crispy prosciutto, spring peas, peppery arugula, fresh mozzarella, and lemon-parmesan breadcrumbs all get tossed in a gloriously green pesto dressing.
Get the Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Pesto Chicken Salad Croissants
Buy a package of mini croissants, jarred pesto, and rotisserie chicken, and you’re well on your way to making fancy-looking sandwiches in no time. Peppery arugula adds an extra bite.
Get Ree’s Pesto Chicken Salad Croissants recipe.
Bee's Knees
It’s not a celebration without a cocktail! All you need for this refreshing sip are three ingredients: gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice. Garnish with edible flowers for your elegant affair.
Get the Bee's Knees recipe.
BLT Bites
Mini for the win! BLT bites taste just like the classic sandwich everyone knows and loves. But when they are cut into bite-sized pieces and stacked on toothpicks, they make it so much easier to grab and go.
Get the BLT Bites recipe.
Spring Pea Tart
Spring means peas and a celebration of everything green. This elegant tart is actually quite easy to do since it uses flaky, store-bought puff pastry as the base. The herby goat cheese spread is everything!
Get Ree's Spring Pea Tart recipe.
Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup
A fresh fruit salad will provide the right amount of freshness and color to your table. You can serve it in individual cups for easy hosting and even assemble them the night before.
Chef's Salad on a Stick
Another fun way to serve a group is to use skewers for individual portions. Yes, even salad! These have all the meat, cheese, and veggies you crave, but in a much more fun, portable way.
Get the Chef's Salad on a Stick recipe.
Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip
You should have at least one party dip. This one only takes three ingredients and ten minutes of your time to whip together. And look at that naturally pretty pink color!
Get Ree’s Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip recipe.
Lavender Lemonade
Looking for a mocktail? Take a cue from the garden theme and add lavender to from-scratch lemonade. You can even add a drop or two of food coloring if you want it to look lavender, too.
Get the Lavender Lemonade recipe.
Asparagus Salad
Ah, spring asparagus! Is there anything better? Mix it with bacon, parmesan, walnuts, radishes, fresh herbs, and a lemony vinaigrette. Even better is that it will stay fresh for up to two days if you want to assemble in advance.
Get the Asparagus Salad recipe.
Make-Ahead Sandwich Rolls
Making ahead means less stress when you’re ready to host and serve. Get creative with these cute little pinwheels. You can try different meat, cheese, and condiment combos.
Get Ree’s Make-Ahead Sandwich Rolls recipe.
Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes
Homemade Lemonade
Peaches and Cream Shortcakes
Strawberry Pavlova
