How to create a recipe from scratch

Quick answer: Sign in to Recipe Cloud, open the add menu, and choose the manual create option — Custom on iPhone/iPad or Add Recipe Manually on the web. Add a title (required), then fill in ingredients, instructions, photo, and any optional details. Save on iOS or Publish Recipe on the web. Your recipe syncs to all devices on your account.

Before you start

• You need a Recipe Cloud account and must be signed in.
• A recipe title is required. Everything else is optional but recommended.
• Recipes you create on the web appear in the iOS app (and vice versa) automatically.

iPhone and iPad

Open the recipe creator

1. Open the Recipe Cloud app.
2. Tap the + button in the bottom tab bar.
3. In the Add Recipe sheet, tap Custom.

The New Recipe screen opens as a step-by-step flow. Use Next to move forward and the back arrow to go back. Tap X or swipe down to close; if you have unsaved changes, you’ll be asked to confirm.

Step 1 — Recipe info

• Source: Myself (your recipe) or Other (adapted from someone else).
  • If you choose Other, enter Author Name (required). Recipe URL is optional, but if you add one it must be a valid http:// or https:// link.
• Title: Enter a name for the recipe (required).
• Photo: Tap to add a recipe image (optional).
• Turn On Privacy?: Toggle on to keep the recipe private to you (optional).

Tap Next.

Step 2 — Prep info

Set any of these (all optional):

• Prep Time
• Total Time
• Yield (number of servings)

Tap each row to open the picker, then tap Next.

Step 3 — Ingredients and instructions

Add Ingredients

• Type one ingredient per line and tap the orange +, or paste a list.
• Tap ? next to Add Ingredients for formatting tips.
• Tap Add Header to add a section title (e.g. “Sauce”).
• With two or more items, use Reorder to drag ingredients into order.

Add Instructions

• Type a step and tap +, or paste multiple lines (each line becomes its own step).
• Edit or delete steps inline. Use Reorder when you have two or more steps.

Tap Next.

Step 4 — Notes

Add general recipe notes — storage tips, make-ahead notes, serving ideas, etc. (optional).

Tap Next.

Step 5 — Collection

Choose where to save the recipe:

• Tap Save (top right) to save without adding to a collection.
• Tap an existing collection to save the recipe and add it there.
• Tap + Add To New Collection to save the recipe, then create a new collection.

After saving, Recipe Cloud opens your new recipe.

Web app

Open the recipe editor

1. Go to recipecloudapp.com and sign in.
2. Click the + button in the top navigation.
3. Choose Add Recipe Manually.

You can also open Create New Recipe from your profile page. The editor opens at /new-recipe/ with the page title Create New Recipe (or New Recipe on smaller screens).

If you’re not signed in, you’ll be prompted to log in first.

Fill in the recipe

The editor is a single page. Work through the fields in any order.

Required

• Recipe Title

Author and source

• Recipe Author: Myself or Other
  • If Other, enter the author name.
• Recipe URL (optional): Link to the original recipe, if there is one.

Recipe content

• Ingredients: Add one at a time (Enter or +) or paste a list. Tap ? for help. Use + Group Title for section headers.
• Instructions: Add steps one at a time or paste a list. Each line becomes its own step.
• Add Notes: General tips not covered in the steps (optional).

Sidebar (right column)

• Upload a Recipe Image (optional)
• Recipe Yield — quantity and type (Servings or Pieces)
• Active Time and Total Time (hours and minutes)
• Add to Collection — pick an existing collection, create a new one, or leave as No Collection
• Set Privacy — Public: Anyone or Private: Only Me (private recipes require RecipeCloud Plus on the web)

Save

Click Publish Recipe (or Publish on mobile). Recipe Cloud saves the recipe and opens it in your library.

If you leave the page with unsaved changes, you’ll see a prompt to stay or discard your work.

Tips for a great recipe

• Use clear ingredient formatting so scaling and shopping lists work well — see Recipe formatting best practices.
• Add a photo — it makes recipes easier to find in Saved and collections.
• Add yield and times if you plan to use meal planner or want accurate serving scaling.
• Put the recipe in a collection as you save it to keep family favorites organized.

Editing later

After saving, you can update any recipe:

• iPhone/iPad: Open the recipe → edit options (owner recipes).
• Web: Open the recipe → Edit Recipe, or go to /edit-recipe/[id]/.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see Add Recipe Manually / Custom
Make sure you’re signed in. The add menu only appears for logged-in users.

Next / Save is grayed out on iOS
A title is required on step 1. If Source is Other, Author Name is also required.

Publish doesn’t work on the web
Recipe Title is required. Check that any recipe URL uses http:// or https://.

Recipe didn’t appear on my other device
Recipes sync when you’re online and signed into the same account. Pull to refresh on Saved if needed.