The Easy-Bake oven was introduced in 1963. Powered by a 60-watt bulb, the oven came with a couple of different mixes and cake pan options.
The pastry-chef-in-training would stir together the mixing powder and water, pour the result into one of the pans (about four inches wide), and let the light bulb work its magic.
The ten or fifteen minutes which followed were invariably tough because a chef could watch and smell the cake’s progress through the oven door, growing hungrier all the time. But when the cooking time was finally up, the chef would remove his or her work from the baking slot and place it in the cooling chamber for another ten minutes or so until it was time for dessert for your best doll or your best friend, or you, or your dog.
The first Easy-Bake model was turquoise, and a few years later, the 1969 Premier Oven hit homes in a memorable avocado green hue, featuring even more dials and a fake clock.
In 1978, the Easy-Bake Mini-Wave made its debut – sleek, modern, and microwave shaped.
There were Barbie and Betty Crocker brand name spin-off, though the standard Easy-Bake always sold the best.
Hasbro bought Kenner in 1991 and took over the Easy-Bake reigns. By the 21st century, it was called the ‘Easy-Bake Oven & Snack Center’ and had a snazzy white, pink and purple colour scheme, boasted a digital cock and required a bigger-and-better 100-watt bulb.
Over sixteen million ovens have been sold since the Easy-Bake’s 1963 induction.
