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.
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?
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