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
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Hi I just love your website I can watch the same ones over and over but I
Hi I live in Sydney and wanted to purchase the Thomas templates. I’m in a bit of a rush and was wondering if I can pick it up….
Or how long is delivery.
I’m in Malabar
Thanks
Hi Anita, The link for download is sent my email. Delivery should be immediate as soon as you have confirmed your email address.
Hi Ann,
I wait for your video every Friday and enjoy trying my hand at some of the recipes.
I would like to bake a healthy cake to send to school for my daughter’s birthday. Could you advise / share a recipe for a healthy chocolate cake (read whole wheat flour).
Look forward to hearing from you real soon.
Regards,
Anahita
Hi Ann.
One of your videos was featured on a Danish website and I couldn’t help but watch it. After watching it, I clicked on the link to your website and here I am, four hours later, watching your videos!! I have never been good in a kitchen – actually, I usually stay as far away as possible from a kitchen, but your videos make me wanna learn to cook and learn to make all the deserts. Honestly, the recipes don’t even look that difficult.
Thanks for motivating me!
Love love love love your website.
xoxo
Hi Ann Just wanted to thank you so much for all your wonderful inspirations that you share each week. I too have been collecting recipes since I was little and also have 3 boys (although now rather large with cave-man appetites…) In searching for cake decorating ideas I came upon your great tutorial for icing using only a snap-lock bag. Just brilliant. Since then I have cooked 2 large batches to share at work and chose to create camellia flowers for their softness. The first were very pink for a colleague going on maternity leave (yes, she’s having a girl) and the other batch – pink/red with hearts were for Valentine’s Day. Funny thing is, by mistake I added milk to the buttercream so instead of a black base, it turned out grey – hence they quickly became known as my ’50 Shades of Grey’ cupcakes and were unashamedly eaten by the whole office…. 😉 I just devour cooking books and recipes by the hundreds and though I feel I have missed my calling in life, the next best thing is cooking to share with others which I never tire of. Thanks so much for all your ideas you so readily share Ann – your creations and website are truly an inspirational joy. Best wishes.
Lorraine
Hi Lorraine, If you are able to bring joy to others through your baking, then you have not missed your calling. You are doing it! So glad that you are finding the channel helpful.
i just found your spongebob cake via google, then found your youtube. just want to say THANK YOU for taking the time to make those video and sharing your knowledge. Lastly I hope your baby boy is much healthier 🙂
Lena T
Thanks Lena.
Hi Ann,
I would love to do the faults in our stars ice cream cake, but I do not belive myslerf, that i coul actually do that. I am 12 years old,I am from Czech (means that I am opposite your country) , but I love to cook and watch your video every friday, even if I sometimes do not know what are you saying. I also love your chocolate strawbery rose, Spange bob cake and Jello art! You are my inspiration and you are making so simple for me to watch your video and think what if i will do that?
P.S: I have 1 thing to ask you: Could you do the Big Bang theory cake, please? I love that TV Show. And I am so sory if my english was sucks.
Thank you,
Maggie
I have a request for a cake. I am going to make a cake for my grandson’s baptism and I would like to make a cake in the shape of or church. Could you help out with that? Or alternatively, a fun cake with lots of colour and shapes and not a refined and stylish one.
hope to learn best from here ..
Hi ann! I’m a really big fan of your vids and you’ll see my comment on every video! For the meet and greet I was wandering if we HAVE to register, sinse it’s free. Will you be marking names off? I may be able to come but I want to know if it’s necessary! Thanks Ann!
Ann what is your number
I wanted to apologize for accidently sending my cake request to your buissness E-mail. I hope I didn’t cause to much trouble. Sorry.
Elsa
I made the princess Elsa cake, I’m really pleased with it, however couldn’t get the cape the right colour. I tried lots of times, but in the end decided it still looked ok without it. Thank you, you are amazing ans learnt so much from you
Hi my grandson wants a Thomas the tank engine cake, would you have a template please. Anne
What a great story and an inspiration to all. Watched some of you videos and they are very creative.
Well done
Paul
thanks so much Paul
Dear Ann, your choclet book is the most beautiful and simple. It is easy. Thank you verymuch
hi ann
my name is liver and I’m from mexico , in a few weeks it will be my 15 birthday and in mexico is some thing important so i was wondering if you can make a Harry Potter cake because i would like to have one in my party but i don’t gat any idea of how i can make one , and you are really good making cakes and other sweets i was wishing you can help me .
I bough templates for cars and now my grandson wants a cake from the movie planes.do you have this?
thanks
miriam
Dear Ann,
I like your fondant recipe it’s seems so fast and simple. Unlike the typical marshmallow fondant that I find to messy to deal with. My question is can you add flavor to your fondant recipe, like vanilla mint ect.. Can you add that flavoring for the extra water called on the recipe. Also for your recipe do you need to add shorting and more powdered sugar to knead it. Your response would be greatly appreciated. I am about to do a baby shower cake with baby shower pops. Thanks for your tutorials they are the best I have seen.
Elizabeth