Have you ever wondered what goes into creating a brand-new recipe? As a cookbook author, developing a recipe isn’t just about tossing ingredients together and hoping for the best—it’s a blend of creativity, science, and a whole lot of taste-testing!

Whether I’m working on a diabetes-friendly dessert, a fun snack for kids, or a holiday dish with no sugar but all the flavor, my recipe development process follows a structured approach to ensure the final dish is delicious, healthy, and easy to follow. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I bring a recipe to life!

Step 1: Inspiration Strikes!

Every recipe starts with an idea. Inspiration can come from anywhere—a childhood favorite, a craving, a request from a reader, or even a happy accident in the kitchen!

For example, while developing a diabetes-friendly cookie recipe, I was inspired by the classic chocolate chip cookie but wanted to make it without refined sugar while still achieving that chewy, buttery texture.

Questions I Ask Myself at This Stage:

✔️ What’s the purpose of this recipe? (A sweet treat, a holiday favorite, a quick snack?)
✔️ Who is this for? (Kids, adults, people with dietary restrictions?)
✔️ What flavors do I want to highlight?
✔️ Are there any cooking techniques I want to explore?

Step 2: Research & Ingredient Selection

Once I have a concept, I dive into research! I look at traditional recipes for guidance and then experiment with ingredient swaps to make it diabetes-friendly.

For the chocolate chip cookie, I had to consider:
✅ Flour alternatives: Should I use almond flour, oat flour, or a mix?
✅ Sweetener options: Monk fruit, stevia, erythritol—what gives the best taste and texture?
✅ Fat sources: Can I achieve the right balance of moisture without refined oils?

I also check nutritional profiles to ensure my recipe aligns with a balanced diet.

Step 3: Testing, Tweaking, and Tasting!

Now, the fun (and sometimes frustrating) part—testing the recipe! I start with a basic version and adjust based on:

✔️ Texture – Is it too dry? Too crumbly? Too soft?
✔️ Sweetness – Does the sugar substitute affect the taste?
✔️ Baking Time & Temperature – Do I need to tweak the oven settings?

For example, my first batch of cookies was too dry because I underestimated how much liquid alternative sweeteners absorb. After a few tweaks (and a lot of taste-testing), I finally got the perfect chewy, golden-brown cookie!

Step 4: Writing the Recipe for You

Once I have a final version, I write the recipe in a clear, easy-to-follow format. I make sure to:

✔️ List ingredients in order of use
✔️ Provide accurate measurements
✔️ Give step-by-step instructions with tips
✔️ Include substitutions when possible

I also test the recipe one last time to make sure it’s foolproof before sharing it with my audience.

Step 5: Photography & Presentation

A great recipe deserves mouthwatering photos! I style the dish, take photos from different angles, and make sure it looks as good as it tastes. If it’s for one of my kid-friendly cookbooks, I also think about fun plating ideas to make it visually appealing.

The Best Part? Seeing YOU Try It!

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone enjoy a recipe I created. Whether it’s a diabetes-friendly cake or a kid-approved snack, my goal is always the same—to make cooking easy, delicious, and fun!

Have you ever experimented with creating your own recipe? What’s a dish you’d love to see me develop next? Let me know in the comments!