Kitchen Time Capsules

Kitchen Time Capsules: What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?

Everyone has a few loyal staples tucked away in the pantry or freezer. These brands have delivered the same dependable satisfaction for decades. They might not always win the trend cycle or rack up design awards, but they’ve earned a permanent spot on the grocery list for one simple reason: they work.

It’s a testament to the teams who keep them relevant, and a challenge to any founder out there: build something that lasts, something that becomes woven into people’s lives and memories. That’s the real win.

Here are five of my non-negotiable nostalgia brands that keep finding their way into my kitchen:

Baby Bell Cheese. That iconic little red-waxed wheel is a tactile flashback to childhood. Peeling off that wax makes even adulting feel playful. And with around 6 g of protein per cheese wheel, it’s a delicious little health-booster in disguise that’s always a grocery store go-to.

Lipton Classic Onion Dip Pack. The ultimate social hack. Company shows up unannounced? This packet plus sour cream and some crispy chips is instant credibility. It’s always the first thing gone at any gathering.

Annie’s Mac & Cheese. The humble box that proved organic doesn’t have to be humorless. Still my go-to for a rainy afternoon when I want something warm, cheesy, and better than it needs to be.

Campbell’s Tomato Soup. Not just soup, but a rite of passage. Grilled cheese’s lifelong partner. Cozy therapy in a can.

Klondike Bars. The iconic dessert everyone is happy to see in your freezer. Epic aluminum packaging you can’t miss in the cold box. Simple, creamy, and the perfect milk chocolate crunch. The King of frozen desserts.

What classics are always hiding in your freezer or pantry? Which brands have outlasted every diet phase, food trend, and resolution? And which ones will you be proud to say you helped build? Let’s hear the lineup.