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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Dear Ann,
Im so glad I found you on youtube ! Seriously, I watch your videos every night before I go to bed, because they calm me down 😀 How ever, I did the minion cake, thanks to you of course – the approval of my boyfriend as occasion so I changed the minion a little bit 🙂 I sadly had to put cups under the cake instead of the feet, because it struggled with its balance, because I used less thick sticks inside and the whole cake is about 50 cm high – but all in all Im soooo happy it still turned out pretty good because it drove me crazy a several times 😉
Greetings from Germany !!
I am your biggest fan, please contact me on instergram I hav made lots of your stuff, my fav is the magic lava cake, i am only young I can understand y you’d wouldn’t reply but i am your biggest fan
Hi Ann,
I am big fan of your recipes and your creative ideas.I have tried Mcqueen car cake last october, my son loved it. Now I am looking for Mater cup cakes recipe.Can you please help me?
Thank You.
do you have chocolate chips chewy cookies recipe??
tendras alguna receta de galletas de chispas de chocolate chewy!!
This unfortunately hasnt anything to do with baking. My mother brought this blog to my attention this afternoon, because like you, I am one of the handful of the people on the planet with solar urticaria. I hope it doesnt sound to creepy to say it is nice to know there is someone else in the country (I’m from Western Australia) with this condition. There arent many of us out there and was wondering if you’d like to correspond. Please feel free to email me at the above address if interested.
Thanks for your time,
Geoff.
I’ll send you an email 😀
Hi Ann,
Thank you for your blog! I would say your recipes are the BEST I have come across. It’s more to do with the way you simplify the whole process, it inspires such confidence in mediocre bakers like me! The methods are explained very clearly and with the supporting videos , baking , frosting etc no longer feel like “rocket science”!:) Thank you once again! I want to subscribe to your site Help please ,
Just saw that you were shown on the channel 2 Israel News – they did a segment on creative cakes and showed clips of your instagram and twitter cake. I didn’t catch if they gave you credit…I hope they did because I love your videos!
Thank you for the wonderful chocolate cake recipe….!!!! I microwaved it for 7 min. at 600 W..as I dont have an oven…it was great..thanks again
hello Ann,
My name is Robby and i’m from the US. I love all of your recipes and really want to make some but it is pretty difficult to print them. Do you think adding a print button to each recipe would be possible. I really want to try these but i nee them next to me in the kitchen.
Ann,
I have been enjoying your blog and You Tube videos immensely. I have picked up a good many ideas to. Thanks. My three boys were pretty impressed when I showed the the video on the spider and flower jellys. My four year old is asking for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cake for his upcoming 5th birthday. To you have a recipe or a pattern for one?
We as a young family watch your videos the oldest being 6 would love to be like you. And I see your a fellow Christian!! We ask only one thing, please don’t sell out like Elise from My Cupcake or Choppa. As a Christian you know that there is more to life than money.
We love you,
From the Lyle’s in Canada
WOW! You are an amazing person. I just can’t believe I found this blog. Thank God you here!!!! It is incredible too see you share all these videos and recipe without charging a cent and dont even ask for contributions!! You are too good! May God continue blessing you and your family. I have made a few cakes using fondant and I discovered I love this.. I sooo love cooking cakes and decorating them. Your website is helping me so much to develop my skills. Thanks again!! I am following you on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, email and later on will add to my Facebook. All the best!!!!! God bless. – Giovanna (giovanna1507)
Dear Ann,
I am new to your site, thanks to my mom, and I just wanted to say thank you for your video of the 3D Thomas the train cake!
My little boy just turned two and he’s now into Thomas the train, so this was perfect for his birthday.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart because your video was easy to follow and the chocolate cake recipe was amazing. Everyone loved it!
So thank you again, I just wish I could meet you to thank you in person.
Hi Ann,
I love your “My life in chocolate” video. I’ve already tried couple of your recipes and they taste great. I was wondering if you do offer site linking.
Hey Anne, I need help on to make a complex pastry. It is a dome-like pastry by des Gateaux et du Pain. can you make a video or write tips on to make the Poire Moscavado? If that’s not possible, is it ok you can find out how to make the structure? I’d really love to know.
Hi Al, looks delicious. Check out this post, it is similar process to this one but with completely different ingredients of course… https://wellness-wave1.news/public_html/entremet-recipe-creme-brulee-chocolate-mousse-chocolate-brownie/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hi Ann
I want to make a chocolate bowl – saw your video using ice
Just want to be sure – I can mold the chocolate on top of the ice? WOn’t the water cause the chocolate not to mold?
Love the videos – thanks for doing them!
Hi Adele, yes you can put the chocoalte straight onto the ice.
Hi
Hello Ann!
I so love the recipes you make, they are so amazing, and look simple to do. I’ve never done any of them, how ever, I’m planning to do some chocolate treats that will be a tasty gift for mom and a fun kitchen-night with my sister. Thank you.
Greetings from Mexico 🙂
thanks for watching the videos, have a fun night with your sister 😀
I meant, “along with the great bakery”….
Hi Ann! Its amazing that you love the Lord. May you grow stronger in Him as you do all the great bakery 🙂
I have a major question on baking….what is the general measurement of a cup?! Is it, 200ml, 100ml…etc…?
Thanks..
John 6:26 is a great verse to keep in mind
Hi Prereeta, one cup is 250ml in Australian and Uk measures