Southern Living
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Baby Shower
Make-Ahead Recipes for the Spring Baby Shower You're Hosting

Make-Ahead Recipes for the Spring Baby Shower You're Hosting

By Patricia S York

May 05, 2017

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Spring is a beautiful time of year for a baby shower. The promise of warm weather, the profusion of flowers, and the impending arrival of a new baby will cause a seasoned hostess to pull out her best punch recipe and plan a baby shower, complete with a sideboard of cute baby shower food. In order to relax and enjoy the day of the shower, choose make ahead recipes that can be baked, filled, and chilled ahead of the big day. Choose from this selection of easy baby shower food ideas and you will even have time to make your own floral centerpieces.

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Vanilla-Buttermilk Tarts

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Vanilla-Buttermilk Tarts

Plan ahead and make the filling up to two days in advance. Using pre-made tart shells makes your prep work even easier.

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Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes

No need to bake and fuss over petit fours. These luscious little gems can be finished with your favorite berry or preserve. The cheesecakes can be made and frozen up to a month in advance.

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Easy Cheesecake Bars

Credit: Charles Walton IV

Recipe: Easy Cheesecake Bars

Add a personal touch to these cheesecake bars. Use frosting, a piping bag, or a plastic sandwich bag, and draw a cute baby rattle or family monogram.

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Pound Cake Cupcakes

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pound Cake Cupcakes

Make the pretty hydrangea blossoms a week or two ahead, and store at room temperature in an airtight container away from sunlight.

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Country Ham and Biscuits

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Country Ham and Biscuits

Slather your ham biscuits with this easy Blackberry Mustard or tasty Lemon-Herb Butter.

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Vanilla Champagne Soaked Fruit

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Vanilla Champagne Soaked Fruit

The fruit needs to soak in the warm vanilla-flavored syrup, so you can make this dish up to 2 days ahead of your party.

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Black-Eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip

Credit: Beth Dreiling

Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip

Wow guests with southern pizzazz. The two components of this dip team up with cornbread crackers for a tasty treat.

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Blue Cheese-Walnut Finger Sandwiches

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blue Cheese-Walnut Finger Sandwiches

Stack two cake platters for a pretty presentation of these sandwiches, and top the display with a vase of fresh herbs. The filling mixture is also delicious served with preserves and crackers.