Discover the Secrets to Developing Exceptional Original Recipes with Confidence!

Tips for creating your own recipes from scratch.

To be completely candid, I vividly recall a time a few years back when I was completely clueless on how to create a recipe from scratch. I was almost lost in a sea of confusion, frantically scouring the internet for any useful tips or guidelines, but to no avail. The whole process seemed so daunting and intimidating, and I felt utterly overwhelmed and discouraged. I just couldn’t seem to figure out where to begin, and my mind was in a constant state of disarray. It was as if I was stuck in a never-ending maze, with no clear path to follow or guidance to rely on. However, as time went by, and with a lot of patience and perseverance, I was eventually able to get a grip on things and develop my recipe writing skills. It was a challenging journey, but one that I am proud to have undertaken and successfully navigated.

In all sincerity, the process of recipe development is not a daunting task. My area of expertise lies in baking, hence I shall primarily concentrate on composing baking recipes. Nonetheless, the fundamentals discussed here can be applied to creating savory recipes. Please find below some of my top recommendations to commence the process.

Research, Research, Research

One of the most exciting aspects of researching food is the opportunity to indulge in all sorts of delicious culinary creations! Whether you’re dining out at your favorite restaurant or visiting a local bakery, taking the time to thoughtfully consider the foods you consume can be a truly enlightening and enriching experience. By analyzing the various components of your meals, you can gain a deeper understanding of why certain flavor combinations work so well together, how different cooking techniques can affect the final product, and so much more. For example, have you ever wondered why that decadent chocolate lava cake pairs so perfectly with a refreshing scoop of matcha ice cream? Or perhaps you’ve marveled at how a simple squeeze of lemon juice can bring out the subtle yet delectable flavor notes in a dish of fresh broccoli. Through continued exploration and experimentation, you can unlock the secrets of the culinary world and discover a whole new level of appreciation for the food you eat!

new recipes

bake like a pro

Get inspired by cookbooks and magazines. Analyze flavors and seasonal fruit. Recognize patterns in dishes and incorporate ideas into your own recipes. Use flavor pairings in your baking.

Science is key to baking! Learn why baking soda is different from baking powder and how flour types matter. Check out Paula Figoni’s How Baking Works for more. Happy baking!

This Coconut Matcha Chia Pudding is ideal for the summer season, as it skillfully combines two of my personal favorites – matcha and strawberries.

Give a Recipe a Unique Twist

When it comes to cooking, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of creating something entirely new out of an old favorite. And in my experience, one of the best ways to do that is by taking a classic recipe and putting a unique spin on it. For instance, why settle for plain old snickerdoodle cookies when you can transform them into delectable scones? Or why stick with the same old sweet potato casserole when you can turn it into a mouthwatering cheesecake? The possibilities are truly endless, and the creative process of experimenting with new flavors and ingredients is a truly rewarding experience. So if you’re looking to expand your culinary horizons and inject some excitement into your cooking routine, I highly recommend trying your hand at reinventing some old favorites. Who knows what delicious creations you’ll come up with!

When making changes like this, you don’t have to go too crazy! Just think of ways that you can modify an existing recipe and improve it in some way. Try adding a new flavor such as basil or coriander, or experiment by changing the cooking method. Honestly, this is the fun part about creating your own recipes: you get to be creative and think outside the box.

As I’m writing my recipes, I like to use pre-existing ones for inspiration. However, I always make sure I change at least three components in a recipe and rewrite the instructions in my own words before calling it my own. I’m going to share a post soon about specific steps for writing recipes, so stay tuned for that.

Please make way for the Snickerdoodle Scones as they have arrived to take their place alongside the traditional snickerdoodle cookie.

Test as needed

When it comes to cooking, it’s easy to get disheartened if your first attempt at a recipe doesn’t turn out quite as delicious as you had hoped. But don’t worry, because chances are that this is perfectly normal! In fact, many experienced cooks will tell you that it often takes multiple tries to really perfect a recipe and get it to the place where you want it to be. There are a lot of factors that can influence the outcome of a recipe, from the ingredients you use to the cooking method you choose. Sometimes, it can take a bit of experimentation to figure out the best approach. And that’s okay! The process of cooking is all about learning and growing, and even the most skilled chefs have had their fair share of kitchen mishaps along the way. So if your first attempt at a recipe doesn’t turn out quite as expected, don’t be discouraged! Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn and refine your skills. Try adjusting the ingredients, tweaking the cooking time or temperature, or experimenting with different techniques until you find what works best for you. With a bit of patience and persistence, you’ll be whipping up amazing dishes in no time!

When I’m working on a recipe, I like to make one change at a time. If you change too many elements at once, it can become hard to tell what’s working and what’s not. Take it slow, and enjoy the process!

It’s also important to keep in mind that recipes may fluctuate depending on your oven and your environment. When possible, I like to try out my recipes in a different kitchen to make sure they turn out as intended.

It took me several weeks to successfully obtain the recipe for these Homemade Peppermint Patties.

Learn From Your Mistakes

Just like everything else in life, developing recipes is always going to have its fair share of failures. Your idea might take several tries to come to fruition, or it just might not work out at all. And that’s okay! The most important lesson is to enjoy the process and keep trying. The more recipes you work on, the better you will become at this process.

As someone who has spent countless hours experimenting in the kitchen, I can confidently say that I have made my fair share of mistakes. From sunken-in cakes to raw cream puffs, there have been moments where I felt like throwing in the towel and giving up on my culinary endeavors altogether. But, as I’ve learned over time, the best thing you can do is to pick yourself back up and keep trying. No one is born a perfect chef, and even the most seasoned professionals have had their fair share of kitchen mishaps. The key is to approach each mistake as a learning opportunity, to reflect on what went wrong and to figure out how to improve for next time. Whether it’s adjusting oven temperatures, tweaking ingredient ratios, or simply taking a more careful approach to each step of the recipe, there is always room for improvement. That being said, it’s important to remember that cooking should ultimately be a fun and enjoyable experience. While it can be frustrating to encounter setbacks along the way, it’s important to find joy in the process of creating something delicious. Whether it’s trying out a new recipe, experimenting with different flavor combinations, or simply enjoying the aromas that fill your kitchen, there are so many reasons to love cooking. So, to anyone who has ever experienced a kitchen mishap (which, let’s be real, is probably everyone at some point or another), remember that mistakes are simply opportunities to learn and grow. And, most importantly, don’t forget to savor the experience and enjoy the delicious results of your hard work!

During my initial endeavor in creating Maple Pecan Cream Puffs, I unfortunately miscalculated the ratios for the choux pastry. The experience proved to be quite humbling as I had to discard numerous cream puffs. Nevertheless, I believe it is important to learn from our mistakes and move forward.

Keep Track of New Ideas

As a food blogger, there’s nothing more exciting than coming up with new recipe ideas. I find myself constantly brainstorming and jotting down my thoughts in a long-running list of all my culinary musings – from the good to the bad and everything in between. To stay organized and manage my content effectively, I rely on Asana to keep track of my ideas. Specifically, I have a dedicated column called “Idea Backlog” that’s filled with hundreds of recipe ideas just waiting to be brought to life. When it’s time to plan out my editorial calendar, I refer back to this list and carefully select which recipes to feature. It’s a process that requires a lot of creativity and planning, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see my ideas come to fruition in the form of delicious, mouth-watering dishes.

Even if you don’t have a blog, you can keep track of all your recipe ideas in a similar way! Whether it’s in a small notebook or in the notes section of your phone, write down ideas as they pop into your head. Browse through the farmers’ market and see which fruits are in season, then jot down flavor combinations that sound enticing. Even if you don’t try to bring these recipes to life for months, it’s great to have the idea written down for later.

When it comes to mouth-watering desserts, there’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a freshly baked cookie. And for me, there’s no cookie quite as irresistible as the classic Peanut Butter Blossom. But as a vegan, I’ve often found myself feeling left out of the cookie-eating festivities. That is, until I discovered these amazing Vegan Peanut Butter Blossoms. Made with all plant-based ingredients, these delectable treats are a testament to the fact that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to enjoy a vegan lifestyle. With their perfectly soft texture, rich peanut butter flavor, and signature chocolate kiss perched atop each cookie, these Vegan Peanut Butter Blossoms are a true delight for the senses. So whether you’re a vegan looking for a tasty treat or just someone who loves a good cookie, these veganized Peanut Butter Blossoms are sure to impress!