Blissful Brunch

These sweet and savory snacks are perfect additions to a wedding-day brunch or bridal shower.

Recipes by Sarah Godwin | Photographed by Joe Worthem

Make a bridal brunch special by serving a few tasty morsels you make yourself. These seasonal recipes, made with simple ingredients and bursting with bright, summery flavors are great options. Add custom cookies and petits fours from your favorite local bakery (like these from Bremma’s Bakery in Oxford) to make your spread complete.

Blueberry Brie Bites

• Cooking spray

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon

• 1 sheet crescent roll dough

• 8 ounces brie, diced

• ½ cup chopped pistachios

• Honey, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 24-cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray. In a bowl, add blueberries, sugar and lemon zest and juice, and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Then, on a floured surface, roll out crescent dough, and cut into 24 equal squares. Add a square to each space in the muffin pan, and press into the sides. Dice brie into 24 small chunks, and add 1 chunk to each baking cup. Using a small spoon or scoop, top cheese evenly with blueberry mixture. Bake until crust is brown, about 12-15 minutes. Top baked bites evenly with chopped pistachios, and garnish with a drizzle of honey.

Roasted Strawberries with Whipped Feta

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries, tops removed and halved

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 8 ounces feta cheese

• ½ cup whole-fat Greek yogurt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

  
  

Garnishes: coarsely chopped basil or mint, freshly ground black pepper

Crackers or crusty bread, for serving

Preheat oven to 350°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss berries with vinegar and honey in a bowl. Transfer berries to prepared baking sheet, and bake for about 30 minutes. While berries roast, process feta cheese, yogurt and olive oil in a food processor until whipped, about 1-2 minutes. Remove strawberries from oven; let cool slightly. Transfer whipped feta mixture to a shallow bowl, and top with cooled strawberries and juice. Garnish with herbs and black pepper. Serve with crackers or crusty bread.

Smoked Salmon Crostini

• 1 French baguette, cut into ½-inch slices

• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 8 ounces cream cheese

• ½ cup scallions

• 4-6 ounces smoked salmon

Garnishes: chopped chives, “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning (or similar) and thinly sliced red onion

Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush baguette slices with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake until toasty, 6-8 minutes. While slices are baking, process cream cheese and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a food processor until whipped, about 2 minutes. Add scallions, and pulse until incorporated, 15-20 seconds. Once crostini have cooled completely, spread cream cheese mixture evenly over slices, and top each with a salmon slice. Garnish each with chives, seasoning and red onion, and serve immediately.