ZXHQ Blank Recipe Book (A5 Sage Green) – Hardcover journal for up to 124 recipes with thick 120gsm paper

If you’re the sort of person who keeps recipes in random notes, screenshots and scraps of paper, an A5 blank recipe book is a surprisingly satisfying fix. The ZXHQ Blank Recipe Book is built around handwriting your own collection: one place for recipes you actually cook, plus enough structure to stop everything becoming a mess.

It’s not a tech solution and it won’t replace a cooking app for quick searching, but it does give you something more tactile. On the kitchen counter, it’s just a book—ready to write in, easy to carry to the prep area, and simple to keep as a “proper” family record over time.

What it is and what it’s for

This is a hardcover, A5 blank recipe book/journal designed for creating your own cookbook. It’s aimed at home cooks who want to record recipes in a consistent format—rather than writing them down wherever there’s space. The book is set up so you can capture not only the recipe steps, but also the practical details you’ll want later.

On paper, it includes dedicated areas for things like prep time, cook time, difficulty, ratings, servings, ingredients and step-by-step instructions. That level of guidance can matter more than you’d think: when you revisit a recipe months later, it’s far easier to follow when the layout matches the way you cook.

The things you’ll notice in everyday use

The layout is the main selling point here. The “blank recipe book” concept is only useful if the pages give you enough structure to write clearly, and this one leans into that. With over 120 recipes’ worth of space, you’re not stuck writing one recipe per page like a journal—you’re collecting properly.

There are also organisational touches that help you keep momentum. A customisable index and pre-numbered pages are there to help you locate recipes without flicking through everything. There’s an elastic closure band, plus dual ribbon bookmarks, so you can pause mid-recipe and come back without losing your place.

One small comfort: there’s an inner pocket for clippings and a pen loop, which is handy if you’re adding handwritten tweaks or saving recipe cards you want to keep with the book.

Paper, cover and mess resistance

Writing comfort is covered with 120gsm thick paper, which is intended to offer a smooth writing experience without ink bleed-through. That’s the sort of detail that affects whether you’ll actually keep using the book rather than regretting it after a few pages.

The cover is described as faux leather hardcover with precision embossing for durability and a more dressed-up look. There’s also a waterproof, oil-resistant surface, which is particularly relevant in a kitchen environment where spills happen. Still, it’s worth being realistic: oil-resistant doesn’t mean you can soak it like a washable tray, so treat it like protection against normal kitchen splashes, not an invitation to abuse it.

Where it fits best (and where it doesn’t)

It’s a solid fit if you want a dedicated family cookbook journal and you’re comfortable handwriting recipes as you go. The “room for 124 recipes” angle makes it more than just a notebook for a few favourites—you can build a genuine collection.

You may want to skip it if you mainly cook from digital sources and only occasionally jot something down. In that case, the structure and thicker paper are probably more than you need, and an app or a quick note system may be more convenient.

Key specifications that help you judge value

Below is the practical info you’ll likely care about before buying: it’s an A5 book in sage green, hardcover, with 120gsm thick paper. The design is targeted at writing, organising and revisiting recipes, with features like index pages, pre-numbered pages and multiple ways to bookmark.

Buying verdict

Worth considering if you want a kitchen-friendly, handwriting-first recipe book with thick paper, organisational tools (index and numbered pages) and a cover that’s meant to handle everyday mess. It also makes sense if you like the idea of creating something personal you can pass down.

It might not be the best match if your priority is speed and searchability, because this is about recording and keeping—not quick look-ups while cooking. And if you’re expecting unlimited “decorative” pages without structure, this leans more toward guided recipe writing than freestyle journalling.

Quick FAQ

How many recipes can it hold?

The book is described as having room for 124 recipes.

Does it include guidance for writing recipes?

Yes. It includes dedicated sections for prep time, cook time, difficulty, ratings, servings, ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

Is the paper suitable for normal ink pens?

It’s designed with 120gsm thick paper intended to provide a smooth writing experience without ink bleed-through.

Is the cover protected against kitchen spills?

The surface is described as waterproof and oil-resistant, so it’s intended to help with everyday splashes.

Does it help you find recipes quickly?

It includes a customisable index and pre-numbered pages to make locating recipes easier.