Food and Recipes Dish Casserole Grandma's Favorite Recipes For Welcoming New Neighbors Grandma knows how to make a good first impression. By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is a Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on February 28, 2024 Close Photo: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin 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. 01 of 15 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! Get The Recipe 02 of 15 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. Get The Recipe 03 of 15 Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly 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. Get The Recipe 04 of 15 Cream Cheese Pound Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke What Southern Grandma doesn’t have a favorite pound cake recipe? Cream cheese amps up the dreamy texture of this one. Get The Recipe 05 of 15 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. Get The Recipe 06 of 15 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. Get The Recipe 07 of 15 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. Get The Recipe 08 of 15 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. Get The Recipe 09 of 15 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. Get The Recipe 10 of 15 Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis “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. Get The Recipe 11 of 15 Magic Cookie Bars Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis 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. Get The Recipe 12 of 15 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. Get The Recipe 13 of 15 Lemon Loaf Cake Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin 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. Get The Recipe 14 of 15 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! Get The Recipe 15 of 15 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. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit