56 Hostess-Approved Recipes for a Southern Baby Shower

Recipe: Asparagus and Goat Cheese Mini Quiches

Everyone gets their very own, which will keep things easy and breezy. Make these mini quiches up to two days ahead.

Recipe: Cheddar Shortbread Crackers

These crisp, buttery crackers are a slightly fancier version of traditional cheese straws.

Recipe: Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Think of these mini sandwiches as a party-ready take on the classic BLT.

Recipe: Ham Biscuits

You can't go wrong topping this timeless ham-and-biscuit duo. Serve with our Creole Mayonnaise.

Recipe: Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

We love to incorporate favorite Southern ingredients in new and different ways. This hummus recipe uses black-eyed peas instead of chickpeas.

Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwiches

Ah, a Southern shower staple: egg salad. This recipe is made with the usual suspects—celery, pickle relish, and mayonnaise—but has a few unexpected additions, too. Grated onion, dried salad seasoning (the kind that comes in a packet), and Dijon mustard give it a flavorful twist.

Recipe: Fried Deviled Eggs

Wow the crowd with this interesting take on the traditional Southern deviled egg hors d'oeuvre. A mixture of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese creates its fried crispy coating.

Recipe: Strawberry-Spinach Salad with Sweet Vidalia Onion Dressing

If you want to add just a slight nibble and palate cleanser to the baby shower menu, look no further than this salad recipe.

Recipe: Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

Give your buttermilk biscuits a special makeover with whole-grain mustard, fresh chives, and Parmesan cheese.

Recipe: Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles

These mini grits casseroles add a festive touch on any spread. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the grits the night prior to serving, and then bake the casseroles before everyone arrives.

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Pairing salty bacon with buttery crackers is about as fail-safe as it gets. They're a match made in hosting heaven.

Recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

You won't find a salad that tastes more fresh, fun, and delicious than this summer-ready recipe.

Recipe: Herbed-Goat Cheese Spread

This ain't your mama's pimiento cheese—but she'd still approve. We turned your basic cheese spread up a notch with goat cheese.

Recipe: West Indies Crab Salad

This little-known Southern salad—it is believed to have originated in Mobile, Alabama—will be a winner at any baby shower, coastal or otherwise.

Recipe: Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad with Orange-Poppy Seed Dressing

Not only does this citrus salad look pretty, but it tastes light and fresh. 

Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Filled with mushrooms, Gruyére cheese, and a little thyme, these mini savory bites make a great fit for a baby shower brunch.

Recipe: Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche

You've never had quiche quite like this one. Made with a grits "crust," it makes for a hearty addition to a brunch spread.

Recipe: Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

This classic dip gets a Southern twist with sweet onions and country ham. If hosting the event, you'll be happy to hear this dip can be made in advance and reheated.

Recipe: Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

By using a mix of multicolored cherry tomatoes and small fresh mozzarella balls, this simple salad becomes super easy to serve at a luncheon or shower.

Recipe: Deviled Potatoes

Consider these hors d'oeuvres a cross between deviled eggs and potato salad.

Recipe: Cheddar-Caramelized Onion Bread

This bread makes a much more fun alternative to your frozen rolls, trust us.

Recipe: Queso-Filled Mini Peppers

Forget about serving your guests basic tortilla chips. These mini sweet peppers are a great bite-sized vessel for cheese dip.

Recipe: Basic Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs simply can't be beat.

Recipe: Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles

Dress up this funky Southern classic for a fancy occasion.

Recipe: Crustless Ham and Collard Greens Quiche

Consider this crustless quiche your baby shower savior. It feels fancy and tastes amazing—but is so easy to make. A bag of frozen chopped collard greens eliminates prep time.

Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad

Every brunch or shower needs the quintessential fruit bowl, and this recipe goes above and beyond with a dressing of orange juice, honey, and fresh mint.

Recipe: Marinated Shrimp

If you're hosting a spring or summer shower, look no further than this cool pickled shrimp. Tip: Keep the shrimp cold on the spread by nestling the serving bowl inside a larger bowl of crushed ice.

Recipe: Spinach-and-Artichoke Bites

If you've ever wondered what your favorite party dip would taste like wrapped up in a buttery crescent roll, here's your answer. Delicious.

Recipe: Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Bacon

Because pairing small bites of this elevated version of classic grilled cheese with shooters of our Roasted Tomato Soup will be about the most comforting thing to serve your expecting mama.

Recipe: Tomato Tea Sandwiches

The Southern hostesses that came before us would approve. This classic tomato sandwich only requires a few ingredients, but that's all it needs.

Recipe: Deviled Egg Salad and Asparagus Tartines

This fresh take on finger sandwiches is much more eye-catching (and delicious).

Recipe: Mini Shrimp Rolls

This recipe proves that all this time, the only thing Grandma's vintage shrimp salad recipe was missing is jalapeno.

Recipe: Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

Grandma's retro ham salad gets twirled up for luncheons with this pretty presentation. Plus, you can make the cheese puffs ahead of time.

Recipe: Herbed Goat Cheese-Melon Party Bites

These cute bites are ideal for a summer shower. Prep them the morning of the party and let them chill for an hour or two.

Recipe: Ham Delights

These cheesy sliders are practically required at any Southern shower or luncheon. This recipe is so easy to throw together and double or triple if you're serving a large crowd.

Recipe: Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese

Pepper jelly and cream cheese is an iconic Southern pair on appetizer boards, and Chef Adam Evans just upped the ante on it by adding seasoned crackers and pan-fried shrimp.

Recipe: Mamau's Cheese Straws

Is it really a Southern shower if there's not a tray of cheese straws on the table? We'll let your guests decide if you leave them off the menu.

Recipe: Crudités Platter

Leave it to Nashville entertaining expert Katie Jacobs to put together the most gorgeous spring appetizer platter we've ever seen. This colorful dish is an easy way to make eating healthy fun for any kids in attendance.

Recipe: Chicks in a Blanket

Instead of classic pork sausages, this recipe uses chicken-and-apple sausages for a lighter, more flavorful take on the classic appetizer.

Recipe: Focaccia With Ricotta and Crispy Herbs

No one will realize this beautiful focaccia appetizer started with pizza dough from the grocery store. That's right: You don't need to fuss with yeast bread to serve this summery dish.

Recipe: Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

These pear tarts look impressive, but they're so easy to pull together. A tip from the Test Kitchen: If you want to make the tart a bit sweeter, skip the pepper and brush the pears with apricot jelly before baking. 

Recipe: Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins

Instead of running by the doughnut shop before the baby shower brunch, make these easy doughnut hole muffins that will delight everyone.

Recipe: Vera Stewart's Egg Salad

Georgia native and Southern hostess Vera Stewart shared this recipe for her mama's egg salad, which is a favorite for Masters watching.

Recipe: Caesar Salad Bites

Throwing together an appetizer has never been so easy than with these healthy salad bites.

Recipe: Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches

You're going to love our savory spin on the classic Czech pastry that's beloved in Texas.

Recipe: Pimiento Cheese Sausage Balls

We know every Southern host has a sausage ball recipe, but we just changed the game with the addition of pimiento cheese.

Recipe: Strawberry Caprese Salad

This springy version of classic caprese is easy to serve as an appetizer over toasted baguette slices.

Recipe: Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

Instead of slicing a tomato pie and risking a mess or everyone not getting their share, serve up these personal-size tomato tarts.

Recipe: Cheese Dreams

These cheesy bites are the ultimate make-ahead appetizer for a busy host. Refrigerate the day before or freeze them for up to three weeks.

Recipe: Hot Brown Party Rolls

Test Kitchen Pro Ivy Odom created this Kentucky-inspired recipe for a Derby party, but they're delicious and easy to make for any gathering.

Recipe: Strawberry-Avocado Salad with Sesame-Ginger Dressing

This colorful spring salad is such a pretty way to start a meal. Instead of everyone serving themselves from a large bowl, pre-portion the salad into serving cups for an easy grab-and-go appetizer.

Recipe: Mini Muffuletta Sandwiches

The entire platter of these mini sandwiches will be gone in a flash.

Recipe: Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Instead of your usual sausage balls with breakfast sausage, this dressed-up version uses spicy chorizo and sweet potatoes for complex flavor.

Recipe: Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Cherry tomatoes are in abundance during the summertime, and this easy recipe is our Test Kitchen's new favorite way to use them.

Recipe: Easy Egg Salad

We love presenting these egg salad tea sandwiches on a tiered cake stand for visual appeal in an appetizer lineup.

Recipe: Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini

It's amazing how much flavor is packed into a recipe with so few ingredients (and that looks this beautiful!). "Perfect combinations of flavors. My family loved it. Very light and fresh!" wrote one reviewer who gave this recipe five stars.