I have worked as a consultant dietitian in the food industry, then as a community and public health dietitian for a number of years. After which I resigned to take on a role as a youth pastor. We’ve had countless dinners and meetings at our house over the years, so there has been plenty of opportunities to bake and cook for guests. Again and again I have been asked, “Can you teach me how to cook that”. After writing out the recipes numerous times and even having friends come to my house to learn how to cook, I decided to one day start a cooking blog.
In March 2011 my third son was born (three wonderful boys), he was quite unwell and I was up feeding him 3 hourly throughout the night until he was 7 months old. To stay awake during those times I started howtocookthat.net Yes, that’s correct most of the first years posts were typed one handed at all hours of the night while feeding a baby.
I often get asked how can you make all of those cakes and desserts and not be overweight? Well, there is no magic pill – all of our meals are low fat and healthy, I eat plenty of fruit and excercise regularly. I try to only make amazing desserts when we have people coming over to share it with. I did have intentions of adding the recipes that I use for dinner to the blog, but I keep getting sidetracked with desserts – they photograph so much more beautifully.
I have been cooking sweet things and collecting recipes ever since I was a little girl. What a blessing to have a mum that taught me to cook despite the mess that kids make in the kitchen.
Above is a pic of the first recipe I ever wrote out – my friends mum had made the most amazing chocolate cheesecake, so I asked for the recipe. I have a recipe file that is thick with gems collected over the years. If there is no source listed it is because I don’t actually know where they came from or I have adapted or developed the recipes myself.
Ann
Please direct all media, advertsing, business and booking enquiries to: howtocookthat [at] iinet.net.au
FAQ: Where is Ann Reardon from? I live in Sydney Australia but my wonderful subscribers are from USA, UK, Canada, Australia and all over the world.
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Hi Ann!
I’ve been struggling with all sorts of advice on carving cakes and then a friend sent me to your Dalek video (which was excellent!) but I was wondering if you could clarify how long you set aside the cakes before assembly and carving? A couple of devoted cake forums have sworn that carving requires waiting for the cakes to cool to room temperature before freezing to provide the necessary amount of rigidity, whereas you seem to suggest that moist cakes are not just fine, but necessary for good carving.
Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your wonderful ideas and creativity.
God bless,
Anna
Hi, I want to make thomas cake for 20peoples could u plz tell me how I can down size according to ur recipe and temp please reply soon . U need to make it for next weekend thanks
how to make stained glass cake
Hi Ann…i am so excited to see each of ur recepies they r really magical…i would like ur suggestion to help me to make an aquarium cake…hope so you could share some ideas…
Hello,
Do you think you can make some salty(savoury) recipes?
i do lots of normal cooking at home but this is just for desserts at the moment 🙂
Hi, Ann i love your cooking and I love it when you make your cooking look s so real:D
thankyou Bica
Hey, really love your cooking and I love how you make some of your cooking look real
Hi Ann! I love your video very much ! I want to make the instagram cake for my friends , can I mix jello with water instead of cream?
no because it then won’t freeze and defrost properly Maggie
Oh! I see it. Thankyou
Hi, I just bought your little book of frosting but I am unable to download the file. Please help
Hello Ann,my daughter is turning 20 and I wanted to do the high heel cake but for some reason it will not let me check out with paypal its blank when it gets to that screen need help with this.Thanks Tammi
Hi Tammi, not sure the reason for that error, I’ll send you an email 😀
Hi Ann, I have just purchased the template for the Cars Cake and do not seem to have a link for downloading it. Can you please re-send link.
Many thanks
Morag
Hi Morag, the link is available on screen as soon as you pay and should also be auto-emailed to you, I’ll send you a follow-up email just in case.
absolutely loved your giant snickers recipe and was wondering if you could make a giant mars bar??
Do you think you could upload more than once a week
i’d like to one day but at the moment, I’m really busy with family too 🙂
Would you please show us how to do a Charlotte Royale for our baby Charlotte’s 1st birthday party.
hie i want to purchase the template for lightining mcqeen but my country is not listed Zimbabwe
Dear Ann
I kindly need your help to send me again the template of Car’s cake i purchase a while ago.. the problem is that i bought, downloaded to see it but didnt print neither save it.
I had to travel right after this purchase, now i am back and my son’s birthday will be this weekend. checking the file and trying to download, it says expire. Is it possible you help me giving me another chance to print this out?? i didnt know this will have expiration date.
Looking forward to hear from you soon
tks a lot
Cassia Weibel
Hi Ann,
My name I love, love, love cooking and have made so many of your recipes. As part of a school task I need primary research for my year 12 food technology folio. Could you please take a few minuets to answer these questions about your macarons. (i know you have a video but i need to insert an email (or comment box).
1. How do you avoid your macarons cracking?
2. What is your preferred colouring to use?
3. Is it possible to use a combi oven?
4. Can you colour a white chocolate ganache?
5. Does resting your macarons make them better or is that step in other recipes redundant?
Thanks you so much in advanced
As summer is coming can u make a 3D summer cake with flower bees ants flys butterfly’s and an enclosure with an fence pls!!!!!!
Hello Ann
For my 15 year old daughter I was going
To make a normal cake with fondant but she wants
My cake to be a hit so she wants a 3d flower cake with
3D butterfly’s it will be great if u could do an
Tutorial on that I will be looking forwarded to this cake
Hay ann
My mum just came out of hospital and I wanna show her how much I love her so could you make a 3D flower cake please can U do a tutorial on that and keep on going with your cakes be unstoppable