Every family has great memories of food. Food brings us together, and many a host or hostess unites their family with large, favorite meals. Food helps us celebrate our own traditions and cultures, too! Our precious recipes shouldn’t be lost to time. Use MyCanvas to create a custom family cookbook that keeps these traditions and favorites alive.
Templates
We have a pre-existing template for a cookbook. Check out the Recipe Book template! This begins with 20 pages, but of course you can add more. This existing template has a bright, modern look that pairs well with food photography.
If you want a warm, vintage look, we have pages for that! Note: These pages are not available in the 8″ x 8″ Photo Book.
- Right-click on the bottom of the page
- Navigate to the theme Family History
- Click on Classic
- Select vintage recipe book pages
However, as always, our designs are customizable, and you will be able to move the elements around and create new layouts to shake it up. Or, you can choose another template that you feel suits your photos and family better. Of course, you can also import your own backgrounds or use others throughout our database to make this book just right for you!
Related: Creating a Family Heirloom Cookbook
Getting Started
Make a list of the most important recipes in your family, like your grandfather’s homemade ice cream, your aunt’s lemon cheesecake bars, and your mother’s dinner rolls. Pick the ones your family just wouldn’t be the same without.
For your first cookbook, 15-20 recipes might be a good start. It takes time to gather recipes from your family members, and a smaller number is easier to take on, especially with a deadline. It will also be easier for photos if you have them, background, and any family stories about the recipe.
Scanned Recipes
There’s nothing quite like reading through an old note card with your grandmother’s handwriting. Many past generations kept recipes this way. However, they might not stand up to the test of time. Paper can be easily damaged. But even with the stains, tears, or faded pencil, it’s worth saving your grandmother’s handwriting and her notes in the margins. Scanning these notes and cards will preserve them far longer than the paper will last. The images then gain all their value back again once printed in a sturdy and high-quality book.
Related: Cooking Up Genealogy | Gena Philibert-Ortega
Check out this post for tips on photographing food to make it look as delicious as possible!
When you create your custom cookbook, be sure to share it with us on our Facebook or Twitter pages! We want to see how you have shared your story with others.
