Grandma's Favorite Recipes For Welcoming New Neighbors
Grandma knows how to make a good first impression.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Does anyone bring a casserole to their neighbors anymore?”, we can assure you one person does: Grandma. Always thoughtful, Grandma will choose to deliver a homemade food gift over a bottle of wine any day. In the spirit of gifting something that will show your new neighbors goodwill and thoughtfulness, we’re taking notes from Grandma’s recipe book. Brighten their day with sweet treats that keep well like a classic pound cake or a tin full of fudge. Since your new neighbors’ fridge and pantry are probably still bare, provide them with a warm and comforting supper in the form of a chicken casserole, or let them know the next morning’s breakfast is taken care of with a basket of homemade muffins. Grandma knows how to make a good first impression, and these old-fashioned recipes are the perfect place to start. What says, “welcome to the neighborhood” better than a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies? Not much, y’all.
One-Bowl Banana Bread
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Banana bread is like a friendly wave in the form of food. It’s easy to make for the gifter but so sweet to receive. Plus, your new neighbors can enjoy it as breakfast, a snack, or dessert!
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Molly Bolton
Is there anything more universally beloved as chocolate chip cookies? Browned butter gives them that je ne sais quoi quality that will have your new neighbors reaching out for the recipe.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Some say the best host gift is tomorrow’s breakfast, and we think the same is true for new neighbors who have no food in their fridge! They can freeze individual servings if they have leftovers as well.
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
What Southern Grandma doesn’t have a favorite pound cake recipe? Cream cheese amps up the dreamy texture of this one.
Nuts And Bolts
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This old-school snack mix is such a cute gift for families with kids. Simply add some to a few small cellophane bags and tie with colorful ribbon for individual, on-the-go snacks that Mama will appreciate.
Spicy Cheese Straws
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Cheese straws are a classic Southern food gift that anyone will be thrilled to receive. They’re the perfect happy hour snack for your neighbors’ first get-together.
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
One of Grandma’s specialties is feeding a crowd, and the easiest way to do so is with a hearty casserole. This family favorite will appease even the pickiest eaters at your neighbors’ table.
Coffee Cake Muffins
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This recipe takes the flavor of Grandma’s famous Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe you love and puts it into individual servings that are perfect for gifting. Feel free to leave the chopped pecans out of one batch if you’re concerned about allergies.
Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
Grandma can practically make this old-fashioned fudge recipe with her eyes closed. The bite-size pieces are the ideal sweet treat for your neighbors after long moving days.
Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly
“The best appetizer starts with a block of cream cheese and jar of pepper jelly, says every Southern grandmother ever,” writes Editor Kaitlyn Sadik. With this homemade gift, your new neighbors are halfway to the easiest appetizer for their next get-together.
Magic Cookie Bars
This old-fashioned cookie recipe is one of Grandma’s signatures. Pack them in a disposable container so your new neighbors don’t feel like they have to return anything to you.
Fire Crackers
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This Southern-favorite snack is a great food gift that can be enjoyed alone or with a spread like pimiento cheese. You can write down or print out the recipe and attach it to the container so your neighbors can recreate them again and again.
Lemon Loaf Cake
This bright and cheery cake is a happy hello to your new neighbors. They can enjoy a slice as dessert or with their morning coffee.
Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie
Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
After a stressful move, there’s nothing more cozy for supper than an Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie. Gift it in a foil casserole dish so your new neighbors don’t have a thing to worry about!
Millionaire Candy
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
You need just five ingredients to recreate this classic boxed candy. It can be enjoyed for up to two weeks, so it’s an awesome gift for your new neighbors to keep on their countertop when they need a sweet bite.
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