How To Write Your Family Cookbook

Gather family recipes and write your family cookbook. Connect multiple generations through your those family recipes.

Do you connect a particular dish or recipe with family events? Did your mother always make her version of “cereal mix” [Chex Mix] during the Christmas holidays? Did your family always have pecan pie at Thanksgiving?

Wondering how to make that pecan pie like your grandmother?

Creating a family cookbook that spans multiple generations is fabulous way to connect to your family. From contacting family members to gathering the recipes, the process of making a family cookbook is fun!

Steps To Create Your Family Cookbook

A family cookbook does not have to be complicate to put together. How you choose to put it together is entirely up to you. You can go low tech and keep things simple or spiff it up a bit by including old family photos and stories. It is entirely up to you.

The following steps to creating your family cookbook will be applicable regardless of how elaborate or simple you choose to make your cookbook.

1. Gather Your Family’s Recipes

Obviously, to create a family cookbook, you need your family’s recipes. Start your recipe search in your own home. What family recipes do you already have in your recipe box?

Reach out to your family by email to ask for family recipes. Include your immediate family and your extended family as well. [You might need to send a reminder email. 🙂 ]

If your family has its own Facebook group, post your request for recipes there!

Oh, and don’t forget to ask for the photos! Photographs of the dishes or from family gatherings are always fun additions.

As you gather your family’s recipes, consider any stories associated with that recipe. Is that cake recipe the one your great grandmother won first prize with at the county fair? Is there a story behind the name of your family’s favorite cookie recipe? Which recipe(s) were always anticipated at the family reunions?

Write these stories up! The story and memories associated with a recipe are an important part of the recipe itself! Be sure to include them in your cookbook.

2. Decide How To Organize Your Family Cookbook

Organizing the recipes in your cookbook is entirely up to you. Many creators, prefer to organize recipes by categories. Examples of categories could be:

• Appetizers
• Beverages
• Main Dishes
• Desserts

Another option to organize your cookbook is by family member or group. Organizing in this way is a fun way to add family stories and family history.

[Interested in discovering more about your family history? Check out our related site Are You My Cousin?]

3. Options To Publish Your Cookbook

When it comes to publishing your family cookbook, you have a number of options from the super simple to the “a little more effortful” options. But really, …. all of the options are pretty easy!

The Simplest

The simplest option for creating and publishing your cookbook is to use a word processing program such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Type up those family recipes and share the document with your family. If your family has a private Facebook group, upload your recipe book in the “File” section.

The Photo Book

Both Shutterfly and Snapfish are companies where you can design and create your family cookbook. If you are a bit overwhelmed by the actual designing of your book, choose one of the available cookbook templates. Each template is customizable. Customize your fonts, colors and the types of pages if you wish.

Add in your recipes and photos and you are done! Okay, maybe not quite that fast, but you get the idea! 😀

Family cookbooks can be quite expensive depending on the size. However, photo book companies often have coupon codes available, so be sure to check for a discount code before ordering.

The Cookbook Publishers

Publishers specializing in DIY cookbooks are another option for creating your family cookbook. DIY cookbook sites provide tips and suggestions for creating your book. Explore all of the tutorials on a publisher’s site to make sure you create the book you want. Some publishers such as Morris Press Cookbooks and Cookbook Publishers offer free “cookbook kits” or information kits to get you started. Create your own cookbook over at Heritage Cookbook and be sure to check out their blog, too! It’s full of helpful articles.

Pricing for cookbooks varies. The total cost of the cookbook is based format options you choose such as:

• Number of pages
• Number of color pages
• The binding of the book
• Quality of paper you choose
• And more…..

Pay attention to printing deadlines! If you are creating a family cookbook for a special occasion such as a family reunion or a special family celebration, make sure you know how far ahead of time you need to submit/complete your cookbook to receive it in time. Printing time varies between companies and can take several weeks.

Are you ready to start writing your family cookbook?!

Grab your free download of our guide, 9 Ways to Record Your Family’s Culinary History. You’ll be glad you did!