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.
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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.
Download the Printable Recipe Card!
Check your email for the link to download!
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?
lc says
Hi, I downloaded these, but it gave me the new version or design. Is there a way to get this old version? I like the style of this ones better.
Melissa says
hi! Shoot us an email team@designeatrepeat.com and we'll check it out.
brenda says
Will be DEF using these! lovely and pretty
Heather says
My grandmother passed away years ago. My aunt took all the handwritten recipes my grandmother had collected over many many years and had them made into a book. The recipes in the book are all in my grandmothers handwriting. I've taken the book out from time to time just to be able to see her writing again. However, I have never made any of her recipes out of fear of some wayward splatter of batter obscuring the beautiful handwriting. I want to say thank you for the beautiful simplistic design of these cards because I am printing as I type and very soon I will get to sit down and transfer those recipes to cards. I'll be smiling and crying with remembrance.
Mary Taylor says
Yes! I use recipe cards all the time. I don't want a computer in the kitchen with all the oil and flour and spills around, nor do I want my fingers operating the expensive machinery while coated with butter or Crisco. I never have to worry about whether I have an internet connection, corrupted file or remember in which file or site I stored it. I make my own cookbook with recipe cards or full pages for more complex recipes! I haven't noticed any friends or family actually cooking using the computer as one would a printed cookbook. They may look for a recipe, print out a few recipes, but seldom does the machine make it to the kitchen. If they like the finished product, it gets saved in the trusty recipe box or a cook book they've created for their special recipes. So your creative efforts have not been wasted. I'm doing up a set for family and friends. Thank You!
Abigail says
I love this recipe cards!!! Im getting really into cooking and I want something cute to put all my favorite recipes on. Do you think there is any way you could make matching recipe tabs to match these cards?!?! I am such a organized freak and I need to find a good/cute way to find certain types of recipes fast!!
Melissa says
Thanks Abigail! Glad you are finding them useful! I can't guarantee that I will have time to create matching tabs, but I will definitely keep them in mind for future projects! xo
Heather says
YESSSS!!!! please?!? Awesome idea!
Zakia says
:D I do not use recipe cards and haven't seen anyone use any lately. But these look delicious! Thanks for sharing such beautiful stuff for free! I am going to share them on my blog too!
Inka says
Yes I totally do, I have a chest, filled with index cards. I believe that even though we are in the modern world, some things need to be keep classy. Books i will read on my Ipad but for some reason I love the feel of cooking/baking books and I kinda like the thing of the handwritten index cards. A great way to keep you favorite recipies. :D
Jeanine says
I must say, "I about died" of laughter & relation, reading the commentary around the photos LOLOLOLOLOLO THANK YOU for sharing
Ruth B says
Thank you for these printables!! they are so cute! I Iove recipe cards! It seems more special when a friend writes the recipe down in her own handwriting. Then every time I make that recipe, I see her handwriting & think of her.
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;)