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Celebrate our 15th anniversary with a history of The Café and a countdown of the 15 most popular recipes of all time! These are our tried-and-true classics.
Fifteen years! It's hard to believe that what started as a tiny "just for fun" project has grown into something that reaches kitchens all over the world. When we began The Café, we never imagined the joy it would bring, not only to us, but to thousands of readers who cook, bake, and gather around their tables with our recipes. Helping people discover how simple and enjoyable it can be to share good food with the people they love has been one of the greatest gifts of this journey.
A little trip back in time
Back in 2010, I had a crazy idea: I wanted to start a food blog. My simple plan? To document my recipes in one place and maybe, just maybe, my sisters and a few friends would look at it. I certainly didn't think of it as a business, but rather just a hobby.
When I shared my dream with Scott, he said, "Well, I can take your pictures." (He had taught photography and videography.) And just like that, we were a team.
The only "small" problem? I didn't know an HTML from a URL from a hole in the wall. So I marched out and bought Blogging for Dummies (you could probably find it in an antique shop these days) and worked through it step by (painstaking) step. Many evenings ended in frustration because most things wouldn't "work". I often suspected it wasn't the computer; it was my brain that simply didn't function on a technological level. But slowly (and stubbornly), I made progress.
By the beginning of March 2011, I had a skeletal blog put together and, with lots of family encouragement, I decided to just go for it! Here is my very first blog post, speaking to a world I knew nothing about. I called the post, And So It Begins…
The evolution
Over the next few years, something unexpected happened. The Café began to grow. Readers started showing up, from places we'd never been, cooking recipes we'd tested in our little Carolina kitchen. What began as a hobby slowly became a calling.
Along the way, our mission became clearer: to share simple yet elevated recipes that help people feel confident in the kitchen and inspired to gather others around the table. Food has always been about more than ingredients for us... it's about connection, kindness, and community.
We're still learning every single day: how to improve our recipes, how to serve our readers better, and how to make this space more helpful and welcoming. And none of it would exist without YOU. Our community is the very heart of The Café, and we are SO grateful!
A team
Over the years, this little "hobby" has also grown into a true family endeavor. Our daughter-in-law, Lindsay, brings recipes to life through beautiful videos and keeps our social media humming along. Our daughter, Cait, is the steady force behind the scenes, keeping us organized, moving forward, and making the wheels turn. Our granddaughter, Annie, has added a fresh spark of young energy to our social network channels, and our newest team member, Trish, faithfully helps care for comments and makes sure those much-loved labels find their way to you. What began as a two-person dream has become something far richer, a family team working together around the same table!
And now, it feels only fitting to celebrate by looking back at the recipes that have meant the most to all of us.
Today, we're looking back at the most popular recipes of all time. From the Best Ever Flour Tortillas to the French Grandmother's Lemon Yogurt Cake (this started our love for one-bowl cakes!) to our Strawberry Freezer Jam, these are some of our best recipes. Did any of your favorites make the list? How did you find us originally? And how long have you been following along? Leave a comment, we would love to hear from you!
Best Ever Homemade Flour Tortillas
These homemade flour tortillas are soft, tender, and SO much better than store-bought! With just 5 basic ingredients, this easy flour tortilla recipe comes together quickly, by hand or with a mixer, and makes perfect wraps, tacos, quesadillas, or even tortilla pizzas.
Italian Chicken Pastina Soup (aka Italian Nonna's Penicillin Soup)
This cozy, comforting soup is also called Italian Nonna's Penicillin soup because it's known to cure just about anything that ails you! It hits the spot on a chilly day, for sure!
Mexican Chopped Salad
This Mexican Chopped Salad might just be the freshest, healthiest, most delicious salad you've ever had the pleasure of meeting. And it's loaded with fabulous Southwestern flavor!
Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread
This no-knead focaccia bread takes just 10 minutes of hands-on time and bakes up golden, crisp, and irresistibly delicious-perfect for sandwiches, soups, or snacking!
Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones
These heavenly, melt-in-your-mouth Lemon Raspberry Scones are not only ridiculously delicious, they're also ridiculously easy and come together so quickly!
Ridiculously Easy Raspberry Coulis
Just a fancy name for a delicious, super versatile raspberry sauce, this Easy Raspberry Coulis pairs fabulously with chocolate and a zillion other desserts!
Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
Love Starbucks Pumpkin Bread? Bet you'll love this moist, tender, incredibly delicious Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread even more! It's a one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that you can throw together in minutes!
French Grandmother's Lemon Yogurt Cake
This fabulous French Grandmother's Lemon Yogurt Cake has a really fun history. It's also moist, super delicious and can be thrown together in minutes!
Greek Yogurt Turkish Flatbread (Bazlama)
This delicious, pillowy soft Turkish Flatbread is an easy, one-bowl-no-mixer recipe. It's perfect with hummus, tabouli, for wraps and more!
Ridiculously Easy Buttermilk Biscuits
These Ridiculously Easy Buttermilk Biscuits are easy, as in less than 10 minutes to throw together. Before you know it, tall, flaky, incredibly delicious biscuits will be rolling out of your oven!
No-Fail Strawberry Freezer Jam
This No-Fail, Super Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam is the most delicious, fresh tasting jam you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting. Once you try it, you'll be spoiled for life. I call it "springtime in a jar".
Ridiculously Easy Farmhouse Buttermilk Cake
Everyone flips over this moist, delicious buttermilk cake and, after the first bite, they beg for the recipe. No one believes how EASY it is!
Ridiculously Easy Rosemary Bread
This Ridiculously Easy Rosemary Bread definitely earns its ridiculously easy name but, even better... it's ridiculously delicious!
Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants
If you've got 20 minutes, that's all it takes (hands-on time) to put together these Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants. They look like they came from a fine French patisserie and they're ridiculously delicious too!
Strawberry Balsamic Pizza with Chicken and Applewood Bacon
This Balsamic Strawberry Pizza is the most unique, delicious pizza ever! Don't let the strawberries throw you off, it's an AMAZING combination!
Shop Our Café Loves
We’ve gathered our favorite kitchen tools, tableware, and entertaining treasures in one place, the Café Loves store. It’s a wonderful spot to find something special for yourself or the cooks and hosts you love!
Congratulations on your 15 year anniversary since you started your post. I’m new to your blog but enjoy your recipes. I save most of them and have tried a few with good success. I love the scripture verse you add to your blog. God’s blessings are always with us 🙏🏻
Thanks so much Maria! I appreciate you kind words - so glad you've joined us!
Have to say my two favorite recipes are Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Carmel Icing. Absolutely great for breakfast through to dinner. Definitely a 10 star recipe. The second one on the very top of my list, drum roll please - is the French Chicken Breasts in a Mustard Sauce. Oh My, it doesn't get any better than this Chris. ! Heartfelt thank you, thank you and thank you. Susan
We love those recipes too, Susan! Thanks so much!
I just wanted to congratulate you on 15 wonderful years and to thank you for all that you have shared and taught me over the past 5 or so that I have been following you. I love to cook and your recipes that I have tried are among my very favorites! Looking forward to another 15 years of cooking together!!
Aww, I love your comment, Ann! Thanks for taking the time to write! 💕
Congratulations on 15 years of wonderful and dependable recipes. I have been following you for several years and Love that I can depend on your recipes being delicious as well as easy to follow. I was not surprised to see many of my favorites in your 15 top recipes. I have to say the French Grandmother's Lemon Yogurt cake is my go-to recipe. Everyone loves it and your soup recipes never fail to delight. Thank you for 15 years of wonderful recipes and for so many dearly needed scripture verses. I love seeing your family involved!
Thanks, Kay - it's funny, I did that French Grandmother cake on a whim and it's become so popular. I love the story behind it! So happy you have enjoyed the Scriptures. God's Word is always relevant!
Congratulations on 15 years! I’m not sure how long I’ve been following you but it’s been at least 5-6 years, probably longer! I think I found your blog while searching for scone recipes. Your scone recipes continue to be my favorites! I have made them, shared them, and sent many people to your blog because of them! I also love your inspirational verse and song on each post. My husband and I are avid travelers, so I also love your travel adventures. Keep blogging and I’ll keep reading and making your delicious creations!
Lishcia
Thanks, Lishcia! Love your name! So happy you joined us and have enjoyed the scones, Scriptures and travel adventures. Lord willing, we will keep on going!
I don't remember when I first started following your blog, but it has been for a long time. I loved your posts when you would visit your grandchildren in London and get them up for a middle-of-the-night party! I've made many of your recipes and have loved the vast majority of them. There were a few fails, but I am sure it was my fault and not your recipe. I love your biscuit and scone recipes and soup recipes especially. I used to follow a lot of food blogs, but over the years I have simplified my life. Your's is one of three blogs that I still follow. Your recipes and writing are that good!
Aww, you have been with us for a long time! We still remember fondly those middle of the night parties! Thanks for your sweet, kind comment and encouragement! ♥️
Congratulations Cafe Team! I have followed your blog for many years with great joy! Every recipe I have made has been delicious! I have "traveled" with you to Europe quite a few times and remember "Nanny" every Thanksgiving when I make her special cranberry salad. Thank you for all of your beautiful efforts and for the meaningful Scripture you always include. My friends and I look forward to many more years of Cafe Sucre Farine! Your friend in the Adirondacks, Judi Gould
Thanks, Judy! I loved reading your comment and shared it with Scott. The part about Nanny really made him smile. Thanks for taking the time to write 😍
I have been following you daily for several years now. I know I can always count on everything you make as being absolutely delicious and easy to put together. I just ordered that Danish whisk. I have never heard of one and I am going to try making whole wheat flour tortillas with it. I am wondering if you have ever used whole wheat flour with the recipe in this post.. Thank you and the rest of your family for all of your hard work over the years. You inspire!!!
Hi Maryh, thanks for your kind words and encouragement. Hope you enjoy the Danish whisk! I haven't used WW flour with the tortillas myself but reader have reported success using a portion of WW flour!
I found your blog a couple of years ago and fell for the honest and friendly way write and present your recipes, and how you share your faith at the end of each blog. It’s like a warm hug from an old friend. I have made several of your ridiculously easy recipes and they never fail. You should put them all in a book. There may be a best seller in your future.
Hi Donna, thanks so much for your kind comment. Yes, if I ever wrote a cookbook, it would be called Ridiculously Easy!
So glad you joined us, Donna! And thanks for taking the time to share your kind comment. Love that you love the Scriptures and songs 💕
I r been following you about 5 years. My friend shared your blog. I went to Paris shortly after you, took a cooking class at Le Foodist handmade sure to see some of the sights you recommended, it felt like we were friends! All of your recipes always turn out well and are so easy to follow! I love your tarts, dressings, breads and rolls, well everything!
Thank you for being a friend in the kitchen
God Bless you
That's so awesome that you were at Le Foodist, what a fun experience! Thanks for tkaing the time to leave a comment, Lathy!🥰
Grandling 1: Oh Grumpy! Cool! So we're making all of those, right?
Grandling 2: But only the ones with sugar, right?
Grandling 1: But the bread things too. Cuz, like ... I mean, *bread*! You know?
Grandling 2: Yeah yeah, just sweet things and bread things. Right, Grumpy?
Grumpy: Mmmmmm .... You know what? Let's just make the soup and salad.
Grandling chorus: G-R-U-M-P-Y!!!
Grumpy: Let's go shopping.
Hahahaha!!! You always make me laugh, John! You have the best time with those grandlings - they will remember the fun all of their lives!
Following your blog for many years has been a joy. You make it easy to follow recipes. It has been helpful when entertaining and for everyday meals. Thank you for all yoir hard work Love that the blog is a family production.
Nadine
Thanks so much, Nadine! I love your words of encouragement 🥰
I’m not certain how or when I found you, but it has been a long time. I’ve also sent friends/family to your site as well. Some of my favorites were listed on your “top ten” list including the strawberry freezer jam (make it every year) and the Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread that I’m currently enjoying! Knowing how you conscientiously test and retest your recipes provides assurance that whatever I make is going to be successful. .
Thank-you for 15 years of good eating!!
Thanks, Sharon - we love those recipes too and make them every year. Thanks for your vote of confidence! 💕
I’ve made every one of these over the years and can vouch for their greatness! Thank you so much for the recipes, the labels, the inspiration for meals and the kindness. Although I am not religious in any sense, I like to read your bible quotes too. Spirituality is something we can all share in.
Thank you again and again.
Thank you, Susan - I so appreciate your kind comment and love that you've made ALL of these recipes! 🥰