Cookbook Update: Getting Started

In case you missed it, I’m writing a cookbook! Crazy for Cookies will be out in spring 2022.

I’ve been hard at work on this book for a few months now and it’s time for an update! Today I’ll share all about how I got started writing my cookbook!

Cookbook Topic Ideas

This process all started in September and it took a few months for us to settle on a topic. Once we decided on a COOKIE theme I was off and running.

There are so many cookie cookbooks out there and I wanted to differentiate this one from those so we decided to expand from plain old cookies to Cookies, Bars AND Brownies!

From there I was able to brainstorm lots of different ideas – and some other fun categories – to make this book different.

Crazy for Cookies is going to have the following categories:

• Cookies
• Brownies
• Blondies and Bars
• No Bake Bars
• Cookie Cakes and Cups
• Holiday Cookies
• And a short chapter on…DOG cookies that Abby loves

I was SO excited when I got the okay to include a couple dog cookies. I love making homemade cookies for Abby and wanted a few in the book!

Once I had the general outline I started brainstorming the recipes.

Choosing Cookbook Recipes

Now my editor told me I could include a ton of blog recipes in the book but I’m not doing that: a majority of the recipes will be new. I’m using a few of my favorites (and most popular ones) and then creating brand new recipes for the rest.

A table of contents is an ever evolving document; I had to give samples and a TOC to my editor by the end of 2020, and I’m mostly sticking to it but as I create recipes some are changing.

My goal for this book is that it’s got the BEST recipes in it – ones that will become your favorites. That’s why sometimes I make a recipe and it might be delicious – and perfect for the blog – but it’s not good enough for my book.

That’s when I go back to the drawing board and create new ideas.

(Yes – Birkenstocks! They’re my cooking shoes. If you stand a lot in the kitchen (or anywhere) I highly recommend. They form to your foot and I have zero back pain when I wear them!)

Creating Recipes for a Cookbook

I have 1000s of recipes on this site and many of them are cookies and bars. I’m taking some of my tried and true recipes and editing them for the book – so I know they are loved and perfect!

Starting writing a cookbook is a lot like any other project – you just have to START. That’s what I did in December – I just picked a category and started baking.

Sometime a recipe works perfectly the first time…and some are taking 2 or 3 or more tries to get perfect. If I can’t get it perfect – it’s not going in the book.

I’m currently 90% done with the cookie and brownie chapters. I’m in the middle of the blondie and bar chapter and working hard each week on baking baking baking.

I am such a messy baker – as you can see in the photo ha!

Upcoming Sneak Peeks

In the coming weeks and months I’m going to share more about my process including:

• Shopping for Ingredients
• Recipe Testing
• Photography
• Dieting while writing a cookbook
• And so many more updates!

Be sure and follow me on Instagram – I share lots of behind the scenes on my stories. And sign up below to get these updates in your email!

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