FAQ

How does Roots & Recipes work?

Roots in Recipes is a platform that makes it easy to create a personalized cookbook filled with whatever recipes, photos, stories, and content you want to include.

Your cookbook can be whatever you want it to be. Create a collection of heirloom family recipes to pass down through generations, gather recipes from multiple family members, or create a cookbook centered around a particular lifestyle or dietary preference, such as gluten-free, celiac-friendly, vegan, or any other type of cooking that is meaningful to you.

You decide what goes into your cookbook and how personal you want to make it.

Do I need to type all of my recipes?

No! You don't have to type your recipes one by one.

Simply take a photo of your recipe or upload a JPEG, PNG, or PDF file. Roots in Recipes will automatically populate the recipe into the cookbook, including the ingredients and instructions.

Once your recipe has been added, you can review it and make any changes you'd like. You can correct spelling, adjust formatting, add paragraphs, or edit the recipe to make sure everything looks exactly the way you want it.

How many recipes can I include?

As many as you'd like! There is no limit to the number of recipes you can include in your cookbook.

Your cookbook must contain at least 32 pages to be printed, but those pages don't all have to be recipes. This includes the photos, personal stories, and other customized pages.

Can I upload handwritten recipes?

Yes! Handwritten recipes are one of the special things you can preserve in your cookbook.

You can take a photo of a handwritten recipe and upload it to Roots in Recipes. The platform can use the image to automatically populate the ingredients and instructions into the recipe fields, so you don't have to type everything yourself.

Or you can use the original photograph of the handwritten recipe as the recipe's photo. This gives you the best of both worlds: your handwritten recipe can be preserved as it was originally written, while the recipe itself is also available in an easy-to-read format in your cookbook.

Can I add photos to my cookbook?

Absolutely. Photos are one of the best ways to make your cookbook personal and meaningful. And the best part is that there is NO EXTRA COST to add photos.

You can add photos directly to your recipes. These can be photos of the finished dish, a favorite family member making the recipe, a family gathering, the original handwritten recipe card, or any other image that helps tell the story behind the recipe. You can also use a stock photo if you don't have a photo of the dish itself.

In addition to recipe photos, Roots in Recipes gives you multiple places throughout your cookbook to add personal photos. You can create photo pages for family pictures, food photos, celebrations, or anything else you'd like to include. Photos can also be added to sections such as family history and biographies.

Your cookbook doesn't have to be just a collection of recipes. The photos you choose can help turn it into a collection of memories, stories, and moments that make the cookbook uniquely yours.

Can I add family stories to my cookbook?

Yes! There are many different places throughout your cookbook where you can add family stories and personal memories.

You can include stories in the biography and history sections, as well as in customizable pages throughout the book. You can also tell the story behind a particular recipe directly within the recipe itself.

Whether it's the story of where a recipe came from, a memory of cooking it together, or a little bit about the person who made it special, you can include those stories wherever they make sense in your cookbook.

Can I dedicate my cookbook to someone?

Absolutely. Your cookbook can be personalized with a dedication to someone special.

Because there are multiple areas where you can add your own text, you can choose where you would like to include your dedication. You might dedicate the entire cookbook to someone, add a special message to a particular section, or simply include a personal note somewhere meaningful.

You can decide what you want to say and where you want it to appear.

Can I see my cookbook before ordering?

Yes and we strongly encourage you to preview and proofread your cookbook before placing your order.

Once you've finished creating your cookbook, you can use the Preview button to view a PDF of the finished book. This gives you an opportunity to look through your cookbook, check your recipes, review your photos and text, and make any changes you'd like before you decide to print.

What does the finished cookbook look like?

Roots in Recipes cookbooks are printed as spiral-bound books with a glossy cover.

The cookbook is available in an 8" × 11" format, giving you plenty of room for recipes, photos, stories, and other personal content.

You can upload your own cover image, whether it's a photograph you've taken or a cover you've designed yourselfIf it is not an 8" × 11" size, the photo will be centered on the cover.

The result is a personalized cookbook that looks and feels like something made specifically for your family, not a generic recipe collection.

How long does it take to create a cookbook?

That depends on you! There isn't a set amount of time it takes to create a cookbook because everyone creates theirs differently. You might put your cookbook together in an afternoon, or you might add recipes and memories over several weeks or even months.

Adding individual recipes is simple. Just take a photo of your recipe or upload a file, and Roots in Recipes will automatically populate the ingredients and instructions into your recipe. From there, you can review it, make any edits, and add photos or other personal touches.

Once your cookbook is ready to order, printing and shipping typically takes 5–15 days.

Can I give a Roots & Recipes cookbook as a gift?

Absolutely! A personalized cookbook makes a thoughtful and meaningful gift for birthdays, holidays, weddings, family celebrations, or any time you want to give someone something truly personal.

Because your cookbook stays in your Roots in Recipes account, you can order additional copies whenever you need them. You might create a cookbook as a Christmas gift for one family member and then order another copy for someone else's birthday months later.

You can also personalize your cookbook and make changes to it, making it easy to create a special version for different people. Add a name, dedication, photos, recipes, or other details to make the cookbook feel like it was created just for them.

What happens after I sign up?

Getting started is easy and it's free to sign up.

Once you create your account, you can go to the Recipes or Book Content section from your home page and start adding your recipes. You can begin building your cookbook right away and take your time adding recipes, photos, stories, and other personal touches.

There is no need to have everything ready before you sign up. You can start with the recipes you have and continue building your cookbook as you go.

Can family members contribute to my cookbook?

Yes! Family members can contribute to your cookbook in several ways.

With an upgraded subscription plan, multiple family members can create their own profiles within your account, allowing everyone to contribute directly to the same cookbook.

But you don't need an upgraded plan for family members to share recipes with you. They can simply send you their recipes, photos, or other content, and you can upload them to your account.

For example, if someone in your family has a favorite recipe they want included, they can take a photo of it and text it to you. You can then upload the photo to Roots in Recipes and let the platform populate the recipe for you.

This makes it easy to bring recipes and memories together, even when your family members aren't in the same place.

What if I need help creating my cookbook?

We're here to help!

If you have questions or aren't sure how to do something while creating your cookbook, you can reach out to us at info@rootsinrecipes.com or use our chatbot for assistance.

Whether you have a question about uploading a recipe, adding photos, organizing your cookbook, or simply aren't sure what to do next, we're happy to help you create a cookbook you're proud to give and share.