Download these free printable recipe card templates for the perfect way to store or gift handwritten recipes! Print on cardstock and wrap a bunch in baker’s twine for a fun gift idea for bakers.
Pssst! In addition to this design, you can download a new design option here OR a FULL printable recipe binder here.
Back in the day before internet, recipe cards of all colors, sizes, and handwriting filled our family recipe binder. Some were readable, while others were filled with scribbled text of family and friends. Although that binder still houses some of these ancient writings, it also now houses a plethora of Arial 12pt, computer printed recipes. Considering I have a internet based food blog, I can’t complain too much about how the internet has lessened ol’ fashioned paper recipe sharing. But, there’s something about having a tangible, handwritten recipe that makes it feel all the more personal.
To demonstrate this shift in information transferring, let’s refer to this example where Sally asks Betty for a recipe she just loved at the last family gathering.
1990:
Sally calls up Betty on her wall-mounted corded telephone.
Says, “Hey Betty, can you give me that recipe for those Chocolate Brownie Cookies you brought to the 4th of July?”
Betty whips out her 10 pound recipe binder, flips to the recipe, and asks Sally if she has a recipe card on hand to write down the recipe.
Sally gets out her recipe box and pulls out the stack of blank recipe cards.
One ingredient at a time, Betty reads off the recipe, while Sally scribbles away.
Sally thanks Betty for the recipe, reminds her of their coffee date on Wednesday, hangs up her phone, and gets back to watching the latest episode of Full House.
2013:
Sally texts Betty on her iPhone 5000.
Says, “Omg. I loved those Chocolate Brownie Cookies you brought 2 the 4th. I seriously 8 like 5 of em. Can you send me the link to that recipe?”
Betty Googles the recipe, copy and pastes the link, and texts it back to Sally.
Sally responds, “Thx soooo much! Bookmarking this! Let’s set up a Skype date soon. I miss your face.”
And just like that, the recipe is transferred. Let’s also mention that when Sally goes to make the cookies, she sets her iPad 6000 (which I’m sure will be released anyday now) on the counter and reads the recipe from there. She saves the recipe to her online recipe box and gets back to watching Honey Boo Boo. (Which is obviously the 2013 equivalent to Full House. Kidding.)
I didn’t plan to go off on a full-force tangent about 1990 vs. 2013, but I just think it’s crazy how much technology has changed every aspect of our lives. It really does influence every part of how we communicate & share information. When my internet was down last night for a few hours and I couldn’t look up a recipe, I about died. But then, I whipped out my little white smartphone, and all was well again.
How to Make Printable Recipe Cards
- Download the printable recipe card templates and print on 8.5 x 11″ white paper (cardstock is great when gifting).
- For a double-sided design, insert the printed page back into the printer and print Page 2 (the colored stripes) on the backside.
- Cut along the edges and gift.
More Recipe Card Templates: You can download a new design option here or a FULL printable recipe binder here! You can also download the Matching Striped Notecards.
So now I’m curious. Does anyone actually use recipe cards anymore?
Stacey says
Thanks so much for the cute cards! When I open it, it says it needs a password. I might be blind, but I don’t see the password anywhere…?
Melissa says
The cards should not require a password to open/print in Adobe Acrobat. (It does require a password to edit or open the file in Adobe Illustrator to prevent alterations.) If you are still having trouble, feel free to email me and I can send you the PDF that way!
melissa says
Oh and thank you for the printable!
melissa says
As a family we are purposely “going back in time” on some things (not all) because my husband and I feel our family became reliant on electronics and it makes me sad. But that is a whole other issue! Though some things I won’t give up is blogging and uploading youtube. So yes I do use recipe cards to finally answer your question!
Ashley says
HA! actually, I’m 25 and recipe cards are all I use. I can’t stand looking at the Ipad while baking. I may get a recipe from technology, but I have to write it down on my trusty cards before I start! My girlfriends love to pick on me for it. I’m also anti-kindle. Don’t get me started;)
Peggy says
I love your recipe cards and yes, I still use them. A few years ago I made a family recipe book for my 88 year old mom and siblings. Thank goodness she had all of the recipes cards she collected from her friends, parents, and siblings. We’re talkin’ a long time ago on some of these! We had a wonderful time going through each card, remembering the recipe (did we really like it?), the cook who gave it to her, occasions when we ate the recipe (if we remembered). Each card represents a piece of history – my history – my family history. That’s something you don’t get with a digital recipe. Each cook’s handwriting, the grease and sauce stains, their comments – all are wonderful mementos of a different time.
Melissa says
I loved reading this comment, Peggy. The little handwritten notes & stains that come on old recipe cards are all part of the story. They really are like a time capsule from years past. I want to get better at writing down these recipes, so that I have a tangible copy years from now. You’ve inspired me to get this started!
Kaylee says
I still use recipe cards. I have pinterest boards filled with recipes, but I keep my favorites in a binder, on hand written recipe cards.
Melissa says
I need to get better at WRITING my recipes down, instead of just bookmarking them. Years from now, we probably won’t have our Pinterest boards, but we will have the cards that we took time to write.
Angela Yates says
Hi, I love these recipe cards… I’d love to get the font for something else I’m working any, please could you let me know how I can find it?
Thanks,
Ange
Melissa says
Hi Angela! The cursive font is actually just my handwriting that I digitized. So unfortunately, it’s not an actual “font” :)
deborah says
I do! I do! Use recipe cards that is, thank you for these! I’m 29 but prefer the old school method of writing them down and keep them all in a tin box. Reminds me of my grandma.
Melissa says
You’re welcome! Old school grandma methods are the way to go!
Mhairi says
I know most of my friends think I am crazy but when I find a recipe that my kids like I am carefully writing them – by hand into a big book for each of them (I only have two children).
I have my great aunts recipe book and I love it for the writing as much as for the recipes. Hand written recipes seem more special and valuable somehow.
I hope that when my children are having families of their own that these books will be a special part of their kitchens and lives.
I am also getting other people to add their special recipes as I remember so that there is a real family feel to the books.
Thanks for the cards. I will definitely be using them to write out recipes for friends from now on.
Melissa says
Yes, yes! Handwritten books are so much more meaningful. I love that you take the time to copy the recipes for each of your kids. With the digital age, I’m afraid a lot of kids aren’t going to have these personal, handwritten books when they are older. Those recipe books will be something they will always cherish.
Thanks for stopping by & sharing that with me!
Gerri says
I love, love recipe cards & handwritten recipe books. My mother wrote her recipes in little paper booklets which were given free from the Farm Supply stores. I have started giving my daughters handwritten copies of her recipes and mine each Christmas. I gave them Heirloom Recipe Books (Hallmark) and love adding to their collection each year. I have also included pictures of my mom cooking. Thank you for the printables as these cards are harder to find each year.
Melissa says
What a neat story. I love that you copy the recipes to give for gifts. Recipe cards definitely seem like a dying art. One that I can’t stand to see go!