‘How To Cook That’ started when I needed a way to keep my mind active and my body awake during night feeds with my third son. I loved cooking desserts and people were always asking for my recipes, so the topic was an easy choice. As obvious as this sounds if you intend on starting a blog make sure:
1. It’s a topic that you enjoy.
2. An area that you are trained in or have experience. If it a how-to site you’ll need more knowledge than the average bear.
3. You LOVE it. If your blog is a success you are going to be producing the same topic of content for years to come. It should be fun for you.
You are still reading so I assume you are passionate, excited and have more ideas than you have time to write about. Welcome to the world of blogging. I’ve made a video to guide you through setting up your new website. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!
1. Click HERE to follow along with the video and set up your website.
(Disclosure: I get a small affiliate commission if you buy hosting through the above link, commissions are small so please don’t let that influence which company you choose to host with, go with whatever suits your needs the best).
2. CHOOSE A DOMAIN NAME
A domain name is your website address. For example the domain name for this site is “howtocookthat.net”.
3. ADD HOSTING
Buying the domain name is like putting that web address on hold so no one else can use it, BUT you are not yet using it yet either. To actually use your web address you need ‘hosting’, a company to store your website information and send it out to the world.
4. INSTALL WORDPRESS
Wordpress is free and totally customizable and you don’t need to know anything about coding (HTML/java etc) to use it.
5. CUSTOMIZE
Choose a ‘theme’ for the website. The theme is the general layout of the site. Click through the many ones available and choose one that will work for you. You can always come back later and change the theme at any time. Make sure you choose a theme that is ‘responsive’, which means it works on any size screen from mobile though to desktop.
Add various ‘plugins’ as you need them. Plugins are like mini tools or apps to help you do things on your blog. If you want your website to do something specific like have a shop, play your music, add a page of youtube videos, a gallery for your photos, share buttons… there is bound to be a plugin for it. You can add a plugin, test it out and delete it if it is not what you want, just like you would do with an app on your phone. Like apps there are heaps of free and paid versions of plugins.
6. CONTENT
Now it is time for you to add content to your website. Just a word on copyright. You can not copy or use other people photos or text without written permission. Every picture you find on google images has been taken by a real person and you can’t just steal their photos, you need permission.
7. GO LIVE
On the dashboard / admin area it will say “your site is currently being displayed as coming soon click here to launch it”. Click it and it is live.
8. ENJOY
Enjoy creating your very own piece of the internet.
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Hello Anne ? I can’t describe how much I love your videos. You have made me want to cook for my friends and family. Sophie- 12
That is lovely Sophie! Thank you so much for letting us know. All the best with your baking!!
Id like to make the Lightening McQueen cake for my nephew, however, i see its for about 45 people. Can you please tell me if its possible for me to download the templates at half the size ?
I hope so. Thanks
Hi Crissy, This cake will make 45 kids size serves but if you like larger serves than it will do about 25. You can reduce the size of the template by using the scaling feature on your printer.
Thank you for the excellent instructions for the spiderman cake. Here is my creation! A birthday cake for a 7 year old little boy. Only my 5th ever cake. I was really pleased how it turned out! Thanks again
That looks fabulous Teresa!!
Dear Anne,
My 6 year-old daughter is a big fan of both ‘How To Cook That’ and ‘Reardon Brothers’. After years of enjoying your videos, she just insisted on writing to you with her own request:
“Mini chocolate cupcakes”
The whole family enjoys both shows,
Charles
Hi Rhoda, that’s so lovely to hear that your whole family watches both our channels. I haven’t done mini chocolate cupcakes in my mini kitchen as yet but I think your daughter will love this video that I did a few years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtwErKBuavU
Hi Ann. My name is Holly and my daughter, Amelia is your biggest fan. She watches your channel almost every day. She has recently decorated her first cake and wanted to show you. She is 7 years old and loves cooking more than anything.
What is great to hear Holly! Amelia, well done on your first decorated cake. You did an amzaing job and the lettering is exceptional for someone who is only 7! Keep baking!!
Thanks for your help on creating a Blog! I’ve just met someone else that used WordPress as well! I will definitely check it out! I was also wondering if it’s ok to promote within my site? I will post things I like for others to check out but I want to notify people first to see what they say. I’m just scribbling my ideas on paper right (with God’s help) but hope to get up and running some day soon! I want to do a website/blog and different things I’m interested in or doing! So far my list consists of: cooking, crafting, gardening, faith, languages, learning piano, etc.
Thanks!
Anne we know you are one BUSY Woman but we were wondering if your ever going to come out with a comprehensive cookbook of all kinds of Recipes? I’d be the first in line to buy it and we know most of your followers would race me to it!!! Or even a set of DVD’s of all your wonderful Dessert Tutorials? I’d be willing to part with a pretty penny for Both! Heck They would be Great Gifts for my Grand Daughters who all adore you and LOVE trying every thing they can you do (We do have a bit of lag trying to find somethings here in the States and waiting to have them shipped) I know we can watch them on You Tube but we really want to have them more easily controlled as we work along with them and besides you deserve to make a bit of money for the massive amount of work you put in and your Artistic skill as well. As to the cookbook well I love trying other peoples and countries recipes as do millions of people all over and you are one talented lady
THanks Sandra for the lovely comment. Ann has been asked many times to do a cook book.
Hi Ann
Which do you prefer to use when baking cakes, butter or marjarine?
Hi Cass, Ann generally prefers Margarine however in some recipes the taste of butter does add to the recipe. If you see butter specifically mentioned in her recipe then she is recommending that option, otherwise Ann will usually use magarine.
Hello Reardon family, Prayers and best wishes for a full recovery of James.
Hi, where do you buy your miniature eggs for the mini challenges?
Hello Ann Reardon.
I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now. Your an absolutely talented mum with what you do and you have inspired me in your recipes which i do here and there for special occasions or holidays. I always enjoy your large sweets and mini recipes but honestly theres nothing I don’t enjoy but those two categories are my favourite. No matter how many times I watch them again. I actually stumbled across your YouTube channel while I was looking at truffles to make for Christmas/ gingerbread houses, since then I’ve been hooked! Always look forward to your new videos. I have a request if you can do it as you may get so many requests but for your giant sweets to make a Bueno bar. My partner loves the chocolate and so do I and I would love to know how you could potentially make one?
Keep up with the amazing work your doing! 😀
Cheers Dana from Victoria
I love your videos. I’m your biggest fan. Keep up the great work . From,Amelia -age 7
THanks Amelia for your comment. Ann loves to hear from you!
Excellent video! Thanks for the share.
were do you get the mini oven and mini spoons
Hi Amira, Ann has collected her mini-cooking materials over many years. Some she has purchased in stores or online. Others she has made herself.
how do you make the super tiny eggs
droplets of egg in whites
how do you do it, its driving me crazy
I live in the UK and can’t find the 5 x 7.5 cm loose based fine for the individual strawberry cakes any help with this would be very much appreciated kind regards Jane
Hi Jane, These trays are available on Amazon and through various suppliers including Baker’s Secret.
Hello I am one of your fans of the teeny weeny challenge and I was wondering where did you get your supplies (food, measuring cups, bowls, knifes, spoons, pans, etc.) please tell me because i a’m instead. please reply
Hi Martha, Ann has collected some of these from various sources and a lot she has made herself.
i love your vids you are my favorite
Thanks Riley.
I love your videos, they help me so much in my dream of becoming a great chef! Thanks!
Go for it Leila!
Can you make more poppin cookin videos?