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?
Priya says
These are adorable! I still totally use recipe cards, I just copied some recipes on notecards this weekend at my best friend’s house! Thank you!
perfectly priya
Melissa says
Thank you! I’m just like you in that I usually just write my recipes on scratch paper or notecards – but I think these make recipe sharing even more fun :)
Rachel says
I just found your site via these cards- I love them! I still use them and always bring a few when I take a dish to a party. Thanks so much for sharing, I’ll be linking to these.
Melissa says
So glad these cards led you here! And thanks for the tip – that’s a great idea to bring some along to parties!
Jennay says
Love these! Yes, I still use paper recipe cards! For myself and to send friends my favorite recipes! Thanks so much for sharing these with us!
Melissa says
You’re very welcome. So glad to hear other recipe card users are out there!
Michelle @ Hey Love Designs says
These are so adorable! Thank you for making these a free printable.
Melissa says
Of course, enjoy them!
Sophie says
I’ve been wanting to start writing out recipe cards for a while now, I think I’ve just been waiting for a pretty design. But now I’ve found yours, so I think I can finally start. Thanks so much!
x
Melissa says
You’re very welcome, Sophie! Enjoy the cards & if you decide to print them out – send me a pic! I love seeing the printables in action!
Kelly says
Love these, Melissa! Just found you through Craftgawker :) Stumbled and Pinned. Hugs!!
Melissa says
Thank you, Kelly!
Victoria says
My mom died two years ago at the ripe old age of 96. As I was going through her things I found her recipe box. I treasure those handwritten cards. I love the ones she carefully wrote out probably to share and the ones she “scribbled” and annotated for her own use. While I like being able to centralize and organize recipes online they, of course, will never have that personal touch like the handwritten cards. I feel sad that future generations will have very little of anything in their loved ones handwriting – you can tell so much about someone by looking at their personal handwritten notes, etc.
Thank you for the cards – they are beautiful.
Melissa says
Thank you for sharing this, Victoria. I definitely agree that future generations will be missing out on these types of things. I love handwritten things, which is also why I like to send snail-mail. Means so much more than an email!
Lydia says
Yes!!! I do use recipe cards!!!
I’m in the process of getting all of my family recipe’s onto cards in fact! I am so excited you posted these so I have another option!!
Melissa says
Yay! Enjoy the cards & I’m so glad to hear you still use them!
Alissa says
Oh my gosh it’s so true. Except that I remember my mom would lose recipes a lot so really it’s better for our family that we can store everything on a computer and upload it for sharing via Google Docs
Melissa says
Yes, the internet is a great storage system! I literally wrote down a recipe I made up a few weeks ago, and LOST the paper! If only I would have typed it up, I wouldn’t have this problem! Haha
Debbie Bard says
Ohhhh thank you for the great printable recipe cards. The colors are so happy and sunny and will go perfect with a BBQ gift basket I am making up in Lime, orange, turq and yellow!
I do have just one question though….How do I get the backside striped design for printing? The pdf download only has one page (front side).
Melissa says
Hi Debbie! Those striped cards shown with the recipe cards are actually matching 3.5 x 5 folded cards from Sunday’s post. But I can see how they appear as backs! You inspired me update the document to include that optional back side, as that is a great addition! If you check out the link now, you will see that option! :)
Debbie Bard says
Thank you so much! You ROCK! that is really sweet of you to include the back of the cards. Can also use it for envelope detail to.
Call me old fashion but I prefer a recipe card in my hand any day when cooking or preparing a recipe. Even when I find a great recipe online, I write it out on card (if time permits) or at very least I print it off.
My oldest son has always called me about recipes I used in his favorite dishes growing up. I am writing each recipe out for him.
I cherish (handwritten) recipes that belonged to my grandmother. If we don’t continue to use written cards future generations will have none to cherish. How could we cheat them of that?
I found a great post using (original/vintage) handwritten recipes to create tea towels by scanning/printing on fabric. (http://blog.spoonflower.com/2012/07/turn-recipes-into-tea-towels.html)
Handwritten recipe cards have a place in our hearts and in our lives! just saying…. lol
Melissa says
I agree 100%! It makes me sad that handwritten recipes are becoming a thing of the past – and that future generations won’t have those tactile notes to remember their family members by. The digital age is great, but it definitely cuts back on these types of things.
I love love love those handwritten tea towels! What a great idea – thanks for sharing! That might have to be my next project :)
Thanks for stopping by, Debbie!
Diane says
These are cute recipe cards. I thought Debbie meant having lines on the back of the recipe card so you can write the rest of the recipe on the back. Most recipes won’t fit on the front of one card. Is it possible to get a pdf download to put lines on the back of the card?
Melissa says
Hi Diane! I don’t have plans to create more free designs for this project, but if you send me an email I may be able to fit in a custom request in January. Thanks for stopping by & have a great holiday!
Anna M. says
Hi Melissa,
I’m hoping to download these recipe cards, but the “Download Here” link just takes me to pinterest. Is there any way you could send me to the PDF?
Thanks!
Anna
Melissa says
Hi Anna! Here ya go! https://www.designeatrepeat.com/wp-content/uploads/Free-Printable-Recipe-Cards1.pdf