2 ways to pamper Mom on her day

  • By Judyrae Kruse Herald Columnist
  • Tuesday, May 4, 2010 12:36pm
  • Life

If you’d love to pull together a ritzy-ditzy, razzle-dazzle breakfast or brunch for your mom on Sunday, here are two terrific possibilities. Both are not only new and potentially deliciously different, but either of them might make the perfect cornerstone to build a meal around.

The first, shared by Kirkland cook and frequent Forum helper-outer Gloria Carpenter, could well become one of those must-make specialties.

“A friend gave me this blintz recipe a few years ago,” Gloria says. “She served it at a holiday brunch. It is delicious and easy and can be put together the night before.”

Well, can’t beat those qualifications, but the second recipe has its talking points, too. It’s an orange-kissed, buttermilk-enriched coffeecake, with a nicely spiced, walnut-studded crumb topping. Courtesy of Karen Gulkin for the California Walnut Board, it makes a 9-by-13-inch pan, plenty for everybody at the table.

Blintz casserole

1/2cup butter (1 cube)

2packages frozen cheese blintzes (Golden’s preferred)

6eggs

2cups light sour cream

1/4cup orange juice

1/4cup sugar

2teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a 9-by-12-inch casserole pan. Place blintzes in casserole (separate, if stuck together) and space evenly.

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Add the sour cream, orange juice, sugar and vanilla and beat until well blended. Pour over the blintzes and bake for an hour or until puffed and golden brown.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Note: Once the dish is assembled, it can be covered and refrigerated overnight before baking, if desired.

Buttermilk-walnut coffee cake with orange essence

2 1/4cups flour

2teaspoons cinnamon, divided

1/2teaspoon salt

1/4teaspoon ginger

1cup light brown sugar

3/4cup granulated sugar

2tablespoons freshly grated orange zest

3/4cup vegetable oil

1cup chopped walnuts

2teaspoon baking powder

1teaspoon baking soda

1cup buttermilk

1egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or coat with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the flour, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, the salt and ginger and sift together into a large bowl. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and stir until the sugars are mixed evenly with the flour. Add the orange zest and oil and stir until the mixture is damp and crumbly. Remove 3/4 cup of the crumbly mixture to a small bowl and add the walnuts and the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside, to use for topping later.

Add the baking powder and baking soda to the mixture in the large bowl, then stir to toss and combine. Beat together the buttermilk and egg, add to the flour mixture, and stir just until the batter is blended — don’t overmix — some small lumps are OK. Pour into the prepared baking pan and sprinkle evenly with the reserved topping mixture. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until the center of the cake springs back when pressed lightly, or a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Makes one 9-by-13-inch coffee cake, 20 pieces.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Water from the Snohomish River spills onto a road on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How we covered the record-breaking flood

A special edition of Eliza Aronson’s newsletter detailing her and photographer Olivia Vanni’s week of flood coverage.

‘Golden Promise’ is a striking Japanese Cedar that I have and love. (Sunnyside Nursery)
Part 3 of the Conifer Trilogy – Stunning yellows, bright whites

Let the Trilogy of Conifers continue with the finale! Two weeks ago… Continue reading

The Olson Bros Band, 9 to 5, Northwest Perspectives, and more

Music, arts and more coming to Snohomish County

Inside Timothy Walsh’s Little Free Library on Sept. 3, 2025 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Big stories live in small boxes

Little Free Libraries offer free books for all ages, if you know where to look.

Cascadia visitors mingle among the art during its 10th anniversary celebration, on Sept. 12, in Edmonds, Wash. (Jon Bauer / The Herald)
A small museum with a big impact on northwest art

Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds celebrates a decade of art and forgotten voices.

Our “Evergreen State” of Washington filled with native conifers like Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Red Cedar, among others. (Sunnyside Nursery)
Conifers Large and Small

With old man winter approaching shortly, December presents a perfect opportunity for… Continue reading

Sweet and spicy, Honey Sriracha Shrimp is a no-fuss fall classic for seafood lovers

Honey Sriracha Shrimp is a deliciously sweet and spicy dish we are… Continue reading

Information panels on display as a part of the national exhibit being showcased at Edmonds College on Nov. 19, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds College hosts new climate change and community resilience exhibit

Through Jan. 21, visit the school library in Lynnwood to learn about how climate change is affecting weather patterns and landscapes and how communities are adapting.

Stollwerck Plumbing owner J.D. Stollwerck outside of his business along 5th Street on Nov. 5, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Happy 1 year anniversary of bridge withdrawals’

Residents of Everett and Mukilteo live life on the edge … of the Edgewater Bridge.

Many outdoor gems, such as Camellias, bloom in the winter, some of which offer fragrance as a bonus. (Sunnyside Nursery)
Holiday Gifts for Gardeners

With the holiday season now in full swing and Christmas just around… Continue reading

Kicking Gas Campaign Director Derek Hoshiko stands for a portrait Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Climate justice group Kicking Gas is expanding efforts to Snohomish County

The nonprofit aims to switch residents to electrical appliances and can help cover up to 75% of installation costs.

Snohomish PUD crews repair a power line that was hit by a downed tree along Cypress Way on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
High wind warning in effect for northwest Snohomish County

Key developments:

  • “Damaging” wind gusts of up to 55 mph are expected.
  • Residents should prepare for downed trees and widespread outages.
  • Flood warning extended for Skykomish River near Gold Bar

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.