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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

What do you want the cookbook to accomplish?

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

How to make a cookbook: Step #2

Pick your Poison

From plain 'ole word processing to filling in form boxes directly on the internet to recipe management software, you have a wide variety of choices when it comes to deciding how to compile and write your own cookbook. So, step #2 is to research recipe book software and decide how and where you will have your book printed.

My everyday, personal recipe book solution is very easy. Our family recipes and favorites simply go inside an 8 ½ x 11 plastic page protector and then in a 3-ring binder divided by categories. I continually find new favorite recipes in books, magazines and on the internet (all-recipes.com is our very favorite!). My 3-ring binder is ever-changing as we discover new favorites and change or get sick of old ones. This is the perfect kind of project for using that plain 'ole word processing program.

However, if you're collecting recipes from a number of people and needing more than just one copy of the final project, it's time to move away from word processing and desktop publishing and advance to the next level.

Recipe book software and self publishing companies move beyond spell check and can create consistency, provide templates with various levels of customization and more.

SIDE NOTE: Heritage Makers is my personal publishing company of choice. You have the ability to use as many pictures, images, colors and texts as you wish. You can build your cook book based on one of many free templates available or start from scratch.

How to make a cookbook: Step #3

Gather recipes & information

how to make a cookbook

Regardless of your cookbook's purpose or printing method, this step covers the bulk of the work: gather your recipes.

That could mean collecting random food-stained scraps of paper from your own kitchen, calling (perhaps even hounding) friends and family or sending out a flyer or email invitation.

I love that HeritageCookbook.com allows several people to enter information in a consistent format from their own computers.

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.

How to make a cookbook: Step #4

Final touches.

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.

cookbook

How to make a cookbook: Step #5

Print. Distribute. Cook. Enjoy!

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!)

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