Need care package ideas? Check out these recipes for 10 Homemade Goodies for College Care Packages! I've rounded up recipes from other bloggers and included a couple of mine. Plus, I'm sharing my tips for sending a care package to your college student!
I'm becoming an expert on college care packages, whether I like it or not. It's one thing to make a snack or treat and enjoy it right away, but it's a whole other ballgame when you need to figure out how to pack it, ship it and keep it relatively fresh. Anything that needs refrigeration? Forgeddabbouttit. Anything that gets stale after three days? Forgeddabbouttit.
And, since I had so many questions the first time I made a care package, I thought it might be helpful to pull together recipes for 10 homemade treats for college care packages, plus share the tips I've learned along the way. So, I asked some fellow bloggers to send me their recipes. And, of course, I've included a couple of mine, starting with our traditional Back-to-School Pound Cake, which I've been making for years. (I've recently updated the photos.)
- Back-to-School Pound Cake (Low Fat) - Cooking with Mamma C
My kids love this, and last year, I sent my daughter an entire cake in the mail for her college care package. She was so excited! But, I think I set the bar too high.
"Ummm, I didn't see an entire cake in the mail yet this year," she told me when she came home Labor Day weekend. "Is that going to be happening?"
So, I scrambled to buy ingredients and plan her care package this past weekend. And, since my guys at home also wanted cake, I asked my daughter if it'd be OK for me to send her just half.
"No, I want the whole cake," Miss Bossypants replied.
I see. So, I baked two cakes and sent one to her. I guess this is now an annual care package thing.
Tip: Send enough goodies to share with roommates, friends and the guys across the hall.
2. Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Pies - Marsha's Baking Addiction
Tip: Avoid shipping on the weekend, since nothing moves on Sundays. Food will arrive quicker and fresher if you send it on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
3. Simple Lemon Cookies - The Missing Lokness
Tip: Always ask if there are any requests for care package items. You will end up sending random things, like makeup wipes, plus the goodies. You can always include something extra as a surprise.
4. How to Make Beef Jerky - The Rising Spoon
Tip: The random items requested can be used as padding around the homemade goodies to keep the food from sliding around the box. You want everything to fit snugly.
5. White and Dark Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn - Cooking with Mamma C
Tip: Chocolate-covered items are best shipped in cooler months to avoid melting.
6. Chai Spiced Apple Chips - The Cook's Pyjamas
Tip: Make sure to let your college student know when you have shipped the care package and when it is due to arrive. Have your student sign up for text alerts from the mail room, if possible.
7. Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars - The Charming Detroiter
Tip: Find out the mail room hours at the college to give yourself peace of mind. I was shocked (and relieved) to learn they're 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at my daughter's school.
8. Easy Candied Pecans - Two Healthy Kitchens
Tip: I've found that using priority or express mail is my best bet for shipping, but you might want to check the prices for delivery services like UPS and FedEx as well.
9. Apple Pie Granola - Leelalicious
Tip: Don't forget to include a nice, encouraging note. Let your student feel the love!
10. Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Cookies - Home & Plate
Tip: Homemade goodies will be more appreciated than anything your student can buy in the vending machine or at the store. Take the time to make something!
I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful!
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
Great snacks!!! I have some time before I need to think about college with them. As you say though, the time flies by. Something I loved that my Mother sent me while away was peanut brittle, or cashew brittle I love that stuff to this day! LOL xo
Mamma C
My Nonna used to make peanut brittle for us! That would be perfect for a care package. I'd love to try cashew brittle too. Thanks, Cheryl! xo
Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina
I'd love to have those care packages sent to ME! LOL! My kids are out of college now and time to start sending them baby care packages! Great roundup!
Mamma C
Baby care packages! I would go nuts with those! I'd have to deliver them in person too. 🙂 Thanks, Roz!
annie@ciaochowbambina
Oh my! I want to go away just so I can receive a care package with all these fantastic goodies! We have one and a half semesters to go before college care packages will not be necessary, anymore.... I better get going on this! Thanks for sharing! Fabulous post!!!
Mamma C
Next time you go on a trip, send me your address, and I'll mail you something, Annie! Lol! Thanks so much. 🙂
Lokness @ The Missing Lokness
HAHA! Your daughter is too funny. I am sure she is happily enjoying the cake now. I don't have any kids, so college care packages will never come in handy for me. But since my families and friends in the other side of the world, it will be a good idea to send them some of these delicious goodies. 🙂
Thank you so much for featuring my lemon cookie recipe. This is a beautiful round up. I will have to try some of these tasty recipes!
Mamma C
She knows I can't say "no" to a food request, Lol! Thanks for allowing me to share your recipe, Lokness!
Megan Marlowe
I wish I would have gotten some of those in my college goodie bags! I'll have to keep this list handy for when my kids go off to college but I've got about a decade to go and I'm in no rush! 😉 Awesome roundup!
Mamma C
Haha! I remember all my friends gathering in a circle on the floor in my dorm room, eating the pumpkin pie my Mom sent back with me after a visit home. Enjoy your kids, and thanks, Megan!
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery
Great list - I would be thrilled to be on the receiving end of any of these care packages!
Mamma C
I know, right? I should add my address, in case anyone wants to send me a package. Thanks, Julie!
Tracy | Baking Mischief
I love this! My mom was great about about sending me care packages in college, and when I moved into an apartment after my freshman year, it became a two-way thing. I'd send home my own baking experiments. 🙂 These recipes all look great. I might have to make a batch of that popcorn just for myself, and I love that there are healthy options in there too!
Mamma C
I love that you sent home your baked goods too! I'm trying to picture my daughter sending us stuff next year, and yeah...no, I don't see it happening! Lol! And, you've got to try the chocolate-drizzled popcorn. It is so addictive!
Molly Kumar
What a great collection of collage care package. I'm sure these will be gone as soon as opened 🙂
Mamma C
I think college students can smell a care package a mile away! Thanks, Molly. 🙂
[email protected]
Great round-up. There are some lucky college students out there that will get these yummy treats.
Mamma C
Yes, I know of one in particular, and her friends... 🙂 Thanks, Janette!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens
Oh, I just love the idea for this post! My own kiddos are just four short years away from college, and I know I'll be missing them terribly and wanting to think of fun little treats to send in care packages! I'm definitely pinning this wonderful post to share ... and also so I can be sure to find it again through my tears four years from now! 😀 Thanks bunches for including our Easy Candied Pecans! It makes me so happy to think that some homesick college student might enjoy them, thinking fondly of home!
Mamma C
Thanks for sharing your recipe, Shelley! I hope this post will be helpful to you when the time comes. Those high school years fly by so fast!