❤️ Welcome to The Fresh Cooky

I’m Kathleen Pope, the home chef, cookie baker, label maker, and imperfect heart behind The Fresh Cooky. I’ve been making and baking everyday meals since I was a pre-teen, inspired by generations of amazing cooks in my family. (Shoutout to my German grandmas and Italian Grandpa Frank—his Secret Spaghetti Sauce is still my favorite recipe!)

After 40 years in the kitchen, I’ve learned a thing or two (okay, maybe a few hundred!) about cooking fundamentals. I’ve taken countless hands-on cooking classes and worked through more than a few MasterClasses on cooking and baking—because I truly love learning and growing in the kitchen. From knife skills to sauces, cooking methods to ingredients, this deep well of knowledge gives me the confidence to create, test, and tweak recipes until they’re just right. If it’s on the blog, you better believe it’s been tested, tasted, and shared with friends and neighbors—nothing brings me more joy than gathering people around something truly delicious.

While I’ve catered weddings, luncheons, and dinner parties over the years, my true passion is hospitality—welcoming people into our home with something warm, homemade, and comforting.

What started as a simple way to store and share my recipes has become my full-time dream job (pinch me!). These days, I’m constantly testing and tweaking recipes in my Colorado kitchen—often with my husband and adult boys as my very willing taste testers.

🍽️ What You’ll Find Here

The Fresh Cooky is all about real food for real life. My goal is to help you feel confident and joyful in the kitchen—whether you’re cooking dinner for your family, baking a treat to share, or just trying to get a meal on the table without losing your mind.

Here’s what makes this space a little different:

• Family-focused: Family always comes first, and I love getting our boys in the kitchen! My recipes are inspired by meals we’ve made (and eaten!) together.
• Organic + Real Ingredients: I use all-natural, organic, and non-GMO ingredients whenever possible. Real food tastes better—and it’s better for you, too.
• Easy: I’ve got you covered, whether it’s your first meal or your 50,000th. Step-by-step photos walk you through each recipe, and our recipe card lets you quickly scale servings. Cooking for two or a crowd? You’re all set.
• Recipe Tweaking Encouraged: I call it recipe tweaking—“Make it Yours!” If you’re missing a spice or prefer a different flavor, most recipes include helpful substitution tips to customize it to your taste or pantry.
• Nourishing (but Balanced!): I use whole, nourishing ingredients where I can—but I’ll also happily use a boxed cake mix when needed. It’s all about balance, grace, and what works for your season of life.
• Gluten-Free Options: While we’re not a gluten-free household, my brother’s family and many of my friends are, so I include tested swaps for common food allergies whenever possible.
• High Altitude Adjustments: I’ve mastered the art of high-altitude baking! When elevation affects a recipe, I include precise adjustments. Plus, with recipe testers from across the country, you can trust these recipes work from sea level to summit.

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A little family history

My husband, Brad, and I met and married later in life (read about how cinnamon rolls almost stopped our engagement!) and married in November 2000.

We didn’t waste any time starting a family. By the fall of 2003, we had welcomed both boys into our family. They fight and are mean to each other, but I know that they love each other, deep down, like the core of the earth deep. Now that they are young adults who love to cook and bake themselves, I love developing easy recipes they can make for their friends!

I’ve always loved being in the kitchen; it’s my happy place. It is therapeutic for me, and I cannot quite explain it. I love making meals and treats that are wholesome and nutritious, mostly organic, sometimes decadent, and practical for the everyday.

Marriage Mission Statement

During our engagement, we were encouraged to develop a marriage mission statement, and I highly encourage others to do the same!

“We want our home to be a place of refuge, comfort, and safety; that all who come into our home feel welcome and comfortable, always make themselves at home, and never leave hungry.”

Most importantly, I love Jesus. I am not perfect at loving Him, but I love that His grace and mercies are new every morning, and I try to extend the same to others. It is my hope always, to bring a little joy and encouragement to you!

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope that a little of my joy and love of hospitality will also sprinkle into your life.