How to Write a Recipe Book

Recipe books are an essential for most people. People use recipes books as fund raisers for charitable organizations or keepsakes as family heirlooms. If you're a good cook and believe you have great recipes to share with the world, write a recipe book of your own.

Instructions

1. Decide what type of recipe book to write. Choices include breakfast recipes, Cajun recipes, dessert recipes, cultural and family favorites. Select cuisine that you're knowledgeable about and can provide a wide range of recipes.

2. Search for recipes. Start with your personal recipe book and find the best recipes from that source. Ask family and friends if they have any excellent recipes to give or sell.

3. Gather all the recipes and write or type them out. Be neat and orderly. Print the recipes on index cards. Condense copies, organize and sort through less bulk.

4. Sort the recipes according to type. Label each category clearly. Create a theme to logically organize recipes. Consider including photographs of a couple of dishes. List ingredients in order of use.

5. Type the recipe book and save on the computer. Make sure to include an index page and table of contents for easy reference. Keep a master copy on disk for future use for publishing or creating additional copies for purchase.

6. Bind the book and sell it locally, give it away or contact a publisher to purchase and print it. If selling it on your own, create a website from which to sell the book and include your website in the book.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out from the library or buy the book "You Can Write a Cookbook" by J. Kevin Wolfe, "The Recipe Writer's Handbook" by Barbara Ostmann and Jane Baker or "How to Write a Cookbook & Get It Published" by Sara Pitzer. Try Amazon for good deals on books.

• Remember to include helpful information for each recipe such as how long to cook, whether to cook covered or uncovered and indicate serving size.

• Read cookbooks from popular authors like Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart for inspiration.

• Be sure the recipes you include are given proper credit, if copywritten material, such as recipes online and in books.