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,
I just wanted some ideas for a cake decoration and found your website. I think you do a wonderful job and I just love your recipes and everything. It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a blog like that.
Thank you for your generosity and sweetness (pun intended).
Thank you for your lovely comment Laura so encouraging 😀
Love your cakes and cupcakes. The heart cupcakes were not only fun to make, they were delicious! I was hoping you could help with another ‘surprise’ inside for a cupcake. Is it possible to create a breast cancer ribbon? Thanks!
bonjour
j ai acheter le plan de la voiture mac de cars et j ai pas recu de lien
merci
roseline
I desperately need a beginners speed boat for a grooms cake
Ann,
I live in the US and have noticed that on a few videos/recipes you use liquid glucose. Liquid glucose is not something that is readily available here, although you can pick it up in specialty shops and some craft stores. Corn syrup, on the other hand, can be found in just about every grocery store across the country, including the smaller convenience stores and corner markets. My question to you is can these be used interchangeably in your recipes? If so, would you be able to mention when they can be used in place of liquid glucose in future videos?
Thank you Ann. And my apologies if this has already been addressed in a previous comment.
Jen
Hi Jen, I often do mention that in videos, it is the opposite here, liquid glucose is in the stores and corn syrup has to be ordered in from the US. In most recipes yes you can use them interchangeably.
Hello Ann,
I first want to say how much I enjoy and love watching your videos! I look forward to them every single week. I am 16 years old and I am extremely passionate about cooking/baking. I am in the middle of writing my own recipe book 🙂 I have tested out many many different combinations of ingredients and have come up with a couple of recipes that are delicious . I work on it every day and hopefully soon it will be complete. I sell a lot of what I make and I just got a call for an order to make a Lion cake for a 3 year olds birthday party. Her party is on the 24 of April and I am struggling to find a video or an online lesson to teach me how to make a Lion cake. PLEASE HELP!
Thank you so much for posting videos every week, and for just being here <3
Hope to get in touch with you soon!
-Shir
Shir,
Depending on what kind of lion you want to do, you might be able to rent a lion cake pan. (We have a local cake decorating store that has lesson and they rent pans.) If that isn’t an option, you might make a round cake and add half an egg shaped cake on top for the muzzle and cut up some cupcakes for the ears. You could have a lot of fun decorating it with oodles of frosting and adding white chocolate eye balls. If you decide to go this route, take some time and figure out what shapes you want to use to make the various parts. You could also do the snout with rice krispie square material (cereal, margarine and marshmallows).
If you have a pumpkin pan or a 3-D ball cake, you could make the lion with that as well. Some yellow licorice for the mane would be crazy!
I hope this helps.
Jen
PS If you haven’t started doing this already, (and I’m sure you have!) keep a scrapbook of your cakes.
Hi Shire, you could try using the technique on the cookie monster cake for fur on the mane https://wellness-wave1.news/public_html/easy-cookie-monster-cupcakes/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> and the hello kitty cake for an idea on how to do the face https://wellness-wave1.news/public_html/hello-kitty-cake/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> But as it is for a three year old check if they are wanting raa raa if so copy this fondant one http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/bc/e6/ee/bce6eed1e5810aaed0f47a075a7e304f.jpg
Hi.,I’m interested in purchasing the cars template I want to know how long does it takes for me to get the template if I purchase it right now I need it for a cake this weekend. THANKS!!
Hi Jasmine it is a digital download so as soon as you have paid do not close the screen, follow the links to get to the template page.
Im wanting to make the Thomas Fondant cake and I see I have to purchase the template to make it. I was wondering if Im able to download it right away or does it get mailed to me. Please let me know right away as I am trying to make the cake this weekend.
Hi Brenda, yes once you have purchased do not close the screen, follow the links to download the template
Hi ann ‘my name is shani And i am indian but living in paris and today i have seen your videos and very inspire to you and also may God give you more success and if i want to take franchise lolz is it easy or dificult and does already have you contact in paris i feel if you try here u can be more successful ,
Hi shani, thanks but I do not require a franchise, the website, videos and templates are all available worldwide
hello i love the things you make. i was wondering i you could post the recipe for the biggest snickers bar it would be awesome i want to try to make it
Hi chris, it is here… https://wellness-wave1.news/public_html/giant-snickers-bar-recipe/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hi Ann Kerry here. I am a mother of 2 from Jamaica and and I have not worked for a very longtime.started getting frustrated feeling homesick just didn’t know what to do and so I remembered that my grandmother usto bake when I was a child .I started going through some youtube videos until it all came back to me so I say why don’t I start this by profession because I did agricultural but jobs are the bigest problem here.i need some advise because I now feel like I want to do baking so bad but there are obsticles.
Have you thought about starting small, and just selling what you make to friends and family? Or maybe you can go to farmer’s markets and the like and set up a booth to sell your goodies? There maybe someone that already has a stand selling food that would be willing to add a few items you make to their stall. Ask around, and bring some samples. Lastly, don’t forget to check the health codes/laws in your area before proceeding.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Hi Ann!
Love your work and thank you for your step by step videos on cakes! I would like to ask you if you can do a 3D Mickey Mouse cake and upload the video!
If you could do that it would be great!!
Thank you in advance!!!
HiKoulla I’ll add it to the request list
where do you get your needles from for the jelly decoration thing? as i was really inspired to try and do one my self
Hi hannah I purchased them on ebay from a vet supply store
Hi Ann! I just discovered your site and have already watched so many of your videos! I’m really enjoying them! I was wondering …..is there a way to subscribe to your site by email? I would love to know each time you post something. But I didn’t see any place to do thast on the site. Maybe I missed it??
Hi Joann yes you can, where it says follow me on at the end of the post click on the envelope icon for email. You will be sent a confirmation email that you need to click on oin order to get the new posts emailed ot you. 😀
Ann,
Hello!! I am going to make your version of a Thomas cake for my friends little boys birthday party.
I have brought the template, my question is – do I mix tylos with the fondant for the different parts of the train or just use normal fondant?
Thank you in advance
Marianne
awwwwwwww!so cute and impressive!.hi i am bella.i am a little girl.
I think it’s wonderful what you are creating it’s an art and your children will benefit from it in many different ways. Happy mum – happy family! I think it’s fabulous that you are sharing your creations with us in a how to guide, I certainly think this is very community minded and setting a great example for your children, keep up the good work!
is this your boy?
The dentists will be over-joyed with all the new clients they’ll get from the stuff that being promoted here. Skiing holidays, new boat…way to go!
Hope the kids aren’t taking second place to your new found ‘career’.