When I moved to Brooklyn, a few of my friends speculated that they would never see me again – that I would hole up and become a complete recluse. While that’s been true some of the time (after a big trip or night out I almost always take the next day to myself to read/watch movies/etc), the opposite has actually happened. Now that I finally have a proper space to entertain, I am always hostessing and my apartment has sort of become the place everyone comes to hang out, which I really love.
Last Sunday, before leaving for Palm Springs, I hosted seven of my friends (+ one really cute baby) for brunch. I had been sent some amazing white wines from the Spanish wine region of Rueda so decided to use that as the perfect opportunity to break out a few of my family recipes, put on a good playlist, and play hostess! Rueda Verdejo wines are perfect whites wine for summer… they’re light, refreshing, and versatile which means they pair pretty perfectly with just about everything. Verdejo is a type of grape and out of the two I tried, my personal favorite is the Protos Verdejo which is bright and citrusy (similar to a Sauvignon Blanc or Sancerre). (And at $13.99 a bottle it’s a great value.)
The Menu:
- My mom’s overnight French Toast (the best because you can make it the night before and just pop it in the oven when company arrives) – recipe at the bottom of the post.
- My grandmother’s cinnamon coffee cake – recipe at the bottom of the post
- Fresh berries + Greek yogurt
- Donuts from Pies & Thighs.
- Rueda Verdejo Wines (Specifically, I served Protos Verdejo 2016 and Bodegas Mocen Verdejo Seleccion Especial 2015)
When visiting the local wine store, look for the Rueda logo (or just order directly from wine.com). If you go the wine.com route, you can save 10% by entering code RUEDA at checkout.
My Grandmother’s Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 beaten eggs
- 2 cups sifted flower
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 tablespoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup milk
Topping:
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp. melted butter
Directions:
- Grease a 9×9 baking pan.
- Cream butter/margarine with sugar.
- Add 2 beaten eggs.
- In a separate bowl, combine sifted flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- Alternately add mixture to batter with 1 cup of milk.
- Pour into pan.
- Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle on top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan.
My Mom’s Overnight French Toast
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 loaf French bread
- 8 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
- In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, butter, and brown sugar. Heat on low and stir until sugar dissolves. Pour mixture over the bottom of a 8″ x 13″ baking pan.
- In a bowl beat together eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Slice bread into 17-20 slices and dip them into the egg mixture until they are well coated.
- Place bread vertically (like you would with garlic bread) over the sugar mixture in the pan.
- Pour remaining egg mixture over the top of the bread, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Created in partnership with Rueda Wines.
That looks like a great brunch. I love the title of your post too – brunch is MY favourite sport (and my only sport)!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
Totally with you there, hahaha! xx
Looks so fun! That french toast sounds sooo good.
Briana | youngsophisticate.com
It’s the most delicious!!! xx
Brunch is seriously the best. Will definitely be stealing those recipes! I love your utensil canisters. I’ve been looking for some more neutral pieces for my kitchen to make it look more clean and streamlined.
Oh good!
And I bought the canisters at West Elm – they are my favorite as they are opaque and you can’t see what’s inside – much cleaner looking IMO!
I love the title of this post – exactly how I feel about brunch haha! Your mom’s french toast recipe sounds amazing! I’ll have to make it for my birthday brunch that I’m having at the end of June!
Angela
Thank you Angela! It totally is a sport! I hope you make it… it’s one of my favorite recipes – love that you do most of the work the night before!!!
I love hosting brunch, low pressure and it’s fun to hang out with friends during the day. Thanks for the wine tips!
I totally agree! And you are welcome! Happy hosting!! x
I worked with Ribera y Rueda wines last summer on something similar, SO FUN. (Ribera = the reds from the region). Job well done on the brunch hosting.
Thanks Kristen! I love their wines!!!
I love this! I love that you have your recipes from your mom and grandma. That is so special! Your dress and earrings in this post are fabulous, too! I will definitely be trying this overnight French toast. I bet it alleviates some of the prep stress! 🙂
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
Aw thank you Mary!!! And agreed with the overnight stuff… definitely helps with prep stress!
Where is your dress from? I love it.
http://goldclutter.com
It’s from SEA! I bought it last year but I had it tailored – taken in a bit in the waist and shortened.
Entertaining at my apartment is one of my favorite things to do now, too, and I’m thinking my next event might need to be a brunch! That overnight french toast sounds absolutely divine! And I love how easy it is!
Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com
It’s seriously so delicious and easy! I hope you try making it.
Grace, love the setup! It’s been so fun watching you decorate your new apartment!
xo, Olivia
http://www.oliviajeanette.com
Aw, thanks Olivia! Having so much fun with it.
Love the photos of your new place. Brunch sounds like fun.
Thanks Cathleen! xx
The French toast sound so good.
It’s one of my favorites!!!
When I had my cute little studio, I stilled entertained, but when I moved to my ( twice the size!) one bedroom, I really let lose. I wanted a place people didn’t want to leave( that’s true, in part because of my huge comfy sofa named Bob). I’m so excited for you! It’s such a nice feeling. I don’t Host Brunches as often as dinners, but you’re right. It’s fun and breezy and sets everyone on a nice note to begin their week. You also look adorable as usual!
That sounds just like me – I made it work in my studio but it is so nice having all this space!
I’m so impressed with how quickly you got set up to entertain!
And that French toast sounds so good! I’ll have to try it.
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Thanks Carrie! I’m a little obsessive 😉
My obsession with brunch is out of control! Both recipes look delicious and I will totally have to attempt them!
Looks like a great gathering!
Thanks Tracy! It was so much fun! xx