How to make a cookbook...
with easy family recipes

Need to know how to make a cookbook? Creating a recipe book is easy! Compile your favorite family reunion recipes, decide on a cookbook recipe software program, then write and print your own cookbook.

Food is such an integral part of our social culture that it's only a matter of time before your PTA, church group or family decides to make a cookbook.

* Gather favorite family reunion recipes and tips for cooking for groups to create a family heirloom.

* Ask for contributions from parents and create a cookbook full of easy family recipes that you sell to raise money for the school.

* Or, write your own cookbook full of old favorite recipes and memorable family photos and you've just developed one of the best photo gifts you can give.

How to make a cookbook: Step #1

While knowing the purpose of your project may seem like a no-brainer, ironing out the specifics will help you determine appropriate recipes. Do you need to include that fabulous barbecue wing sauce for the football party recipes section? Or would Grandma's home made bbq sauce be more appropriate because you're making a family recipe collection book?

Knowing the purpose of your cookbook may make a difference regarding what cookbook recipe software you use, as well. Some programs will allow several people to join in at the same time and enter recipes from their own computers. If you're specifically creating a fundraiser cookbook, you may want/need to have sponsor or advertiser pages.

Do you want to write your own cookbook to document family history? Perhaps the pictures and stories behind the recipes are just as important as the recipes themselves.

I have fond memories of one Grandmother's homemade bread, raspberry jam, of another Grandmother's traditional "Hasty Pudding" and popcorn balls. Wouldn't it be great to have all those food-related, fond childhood memories wrapped up in one beautiful cookbook? Such a cookbook would be functional and make a precious keepsake for years to come.

How to make a cookbook: Step #2

Depending on your project, I recommend one of the following:

Heritagecookbook.com covers your common cookbook needs, including fundraisers, family reunions, church groups, school projects, etc. and will be the best solution for most people. They offer enough customization so that you can add your own photos and make a truly personalized cookbook but without overwhelming you with formatting details and too many choices.

You're also able to invite friends and relatives to submit their recipes directly online, which makes this a great solution for your extended family, as cookbook software is not needed. Even grandmas with very little computer experience can enter their own recipes in the correct format.

Entering a recipe is as simple as filling in the little boxes on an order from. Everyone can join in and work at the same time from their own computer. Recipes are automatically indexed and pages are automatically formatted for you as you work. All the participants can see the step by step progress as the cookbook is being built.

Ready to get started? Tell Susan I sent you and get a free 60-day trial (30 days more than what's offered on the website).

Cookspalate.com is the place to go if you need limitless publication options or if you need a unique ISBN to earn author royalties. This is definitely the way to go if you plan on selling your cookbook to the general public.

The Cook's Palate cookbook and recipe software includes templates with various levels of customization, the ability for nutritional analysis, the option for creating menus and shopping lists and auto-indexing. They also offer professional book design, printing and distribution services.

Once you create a cookbook with the recipe book software, you can -

1. print your own cookbook with your own printer
2. take the file to a local print & copy shop of your choice
   
   or
3. use The Cook's Palate print-on-demand self-publishing system

Regardless of the printing method you choose, there is no minimum print requirements.

If you want to focus primarily on the visual aspects of a cookbook project and want total control over the "look" of each of your pages, I recommend you use HeritageMakers.com to write your own cookbook. Assembling a project within Heritage Makers is a wonderful creative outlet. You have the ability to use as many pictures, images, colors and text as you wish. Arrange them based on one of the many free templates available or create your own.

How to make a cookbook: Step #3

Let people know:

• how many and what type of recipes they should submit
• how the recipes should be formatted
• to whom they should be sent

  and

• by when (always assign a deadline - and make it a few days earlier than YOUR real deadline)

If this is a family history project, be sure to solicit stories and photos as well.

{SIDENOTE: Are you struggling to with extended family communication? I can tell you from personal experience that OurLetter can help. You can ask questions each month and set up automatic email reminders.}

How to make a cookbook: Step #4

This is the part where you add personality and punch (the non-food kind) to your book! It could be a picture of Grandpa's old milk barn, examples of 40th birthday cakes, a bit of Shel Silverstein poetry, digital sticker embellishments, fun cooking quotes or tips on boiling an egg.

Think of a fun cookbook title, write an introduction and/or conclusion notes, consider a dedicatory page, etc. Don't forget to add a publication date and to give yourself credit as the editor or author.

How to make a cookbook: Step #5

You're done. You've learned how to make a cookbook and should have a successful project in hand. All that's left is to enjoy it. (Oh, and to start planning the next one!)