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,
First of all I would like to say that your work is really good and your videos have really helped me lean more about food ( I want to open a cake shop when I am older) also if you can could u make a creeper cake because I would really like to suprise my brother
Thanks 🙂
Hi Ann,
I live in Sydney and I’m going into year 10. I love making cakes and desserts (and eating them :P). I came first food technology for year 9 and I am continuing food tec in year 10. I have no idea what to do as a living once I finish school but I was considering becoming a dietitian or nutritionist. I have made many many cakes for my friends birthdays, such as a ben 10 cake, an anime cake, a bird cake and others. I found your channel about a week ago and I have actually fallen in love with the cakes you make and how creative you are! I just wanted to let you know that you are such an inspiration and thank you!!
Hi Ann
My name is Kate
This is my cake that I made
CAKE number 2
Hi Ann, im Sendha from Indonesia. I’m so interested with ur amazing hands :).. Hope can talk to you directly, cz i have a plan to make a deal with you. you can message to my e-mail
Best Regards,
Sendha
Hi Ann,
Love the videos. They are quick, efficient, and entertaining all at once.
I’d like to request a marshmallow video 🙂
Thanks,
Hello Ann. I’m your great fan from Russia. I have a little blog with recipes. And now i’m participating in some culinary battle in instagram. Our next challenge – to make a christmas tree like dessert. I want your advice! Maybe you had some ideas in past. The only one my personal view – it should be natural look (no acid colors). Please, help me with some ideas)
You are so much help!
Heyyy,,
Love your website!! Umm so i ate this amazing dessert but i can’t remember the name :S it was basically something like a chocolate chip cookie, but in the middle it had melted chocolate and it somehow looked like a bowl and it was served with ice cream … by any chance do u know how to make that ?? if it might help you i think it was named cookie-dough lava something again i can’t remember :$$ … Thank you!
Hy ann.. I really love your cake decoration videos and ideas…. Can you make a cake with Samsung S3/S4 phone decoration ? because I will make for my friend birthday
Thanks!
thanks for your videos….i made this bear…thanks to you….so i am very greatful 🙂
Hi, Ann
I just stumbled upon your “how to make an instagram mousse cake” – then, followed to your blog page… I LOVE IT! I love your sense of humor, your quirkiness and your 3-minute of video of about you. Just like you, I get sun poisoning after being in the sun for more than a minute or two… of course, I have so many allergies, to begin with.
Anyhow, keep up the most fun blog and the fun recipes! I shall be reading and watching your vids. Have a fantastic day!
Hi Ann,
Thank you so much for your fantastic tutorial……………I would never have attempted this without it!!
Thanks again 🙂
Hi Ann,
I am hoping to make the geode for my friends birthday on the weekend and have bought some milk chocolate, only to realize that the recipe requires white. Would milk chocolate still work?
Thanks
lillyg
HELLO ANN,
I’M ONE OF YOUR SUBBIES ON YOUTUBE AND I LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS. I’VE TRIED MAKING YOUR MOLDING CHOC THE OTHER DAY AND IT WORKED GREAT! I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD DO A SIMPLE TUTORIAL ON MAKING A CAKE BASED ON THE CARTOON “UP”.. MY BOYFRIEND’S B-DAY IS COMING UP NEXT MONTH AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE HIM ONE… AND USING YOUR MOLDING CHOC. TOO. THANKS!
GLORIA
Hi Ann
My name is Nguyet, I am Vietnamese living in Singapore. I didn’t realize how I love baking till lately, It become my passion, I fall in love with baking, from doing any part of baking turn me madly love. I start doing a lot of searching on YouTube and learn from there, and I found your videos, and most of them are so amazing. I am so appreciate that and thank you much for doing amazing Videos 😀
Godbless you and your family.
thankyou for your lovely feedback NgytetSmith 😀
Could you please put your measurements in the U.S.A. style?
Hi Ann
I’m in love with your work I think is amazing and I like to ask you if you can make a 3d minnie mouse cake stand up or sit, I try to do it like the minion cake but I can’t pull it up.
Thanks for everything
hi lisandra I am glad you like the site, I will add it to the request list
Hello, Ann! I’m so in love with your website and your videos on youtube. I have loved every one of your videos. You’re quirky and fun, and you’re the best teacher I’ve ever watched on youtube! I’ve got a question about the Dalek cake you made. I’d love to make one for my fiance’s birthday, because his love for Dr Who is amazing to even me. Except, his favorite cake is Red Velvet, and he’d like the Dalek to be red. What should I do to make him this amazing cake, but make it just perfectly for his liking? Thank you, Ann! 🙂
Hi this is Manju .In India . I am about 11 years old . My younger cousin is coming from a Australia. I thought I can make something delicious and simple to make for my age. I wish i get the recipe fast cause she is coming on
2nd November 2013
hi – I was watching how you make the white chocolate swirls on a clear sheet, scraped off the excess, and then went over the white chocolate swirls on the sheet after they hardened with a thin layer of dark chocolate. I am looking for the sheets that you used, and you mentioned on your video where you got them, but I couldn’t quite understand what you said. Where can I get these patterned sheets? Thank you very much! Debby
Hi Debby texture mats are all at the back of this kids book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591741947/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1591741947&linkCode=as2&tag=howtocookthat-20